german military

1944What were the Battles of Monte Cassino during the Second World War?

The Battles of Monte Cassino took place in central Italy, where Allied forces fought to break through the German Gustav Line and capture Rome during the Second World War. These brutal battles were pivotal in the Italian Campaign, with Monte Cassino’s ancient Benedictine monastery becoming the focus of intense and costly fighting. Beginning on 12 January 1944, it took four major assaults and resulted in more than 50,000 Allied casualties before victory was achieved. Today, the Cassino War Cemetery holds over 4,200 Commonwealth graves—among them, 855 Canadians—and stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of those who fell in one of the war’s bloodiest chapters.

1916What is Mount Edith Cavell?

Mount Edith Cavell is a striking 3,363-metre peak in the Athabasca and Astoria River valleys of Jasper National Park, Alberta, named in honour of the English nurse and First World War heroine Edith Cavell. Cavell was executed by German forces in October 1915 for her role in aiding over 200 Allied soldiers to escape from occupied Belgium, an act that made her an enduring symbol of courage and humanitarianism. Remarkably, Canada was among the first to memorialize her internationally, designating the mountain with her name on 4 July 1916, less than a year after her death. Today, 108 years later, Mount Edith Cavell stands as both a natural wonder and a poignant tribute, as Canada prepares for the 110th anniversary of her sacrifice.