Critique by a D-Day Veteran. . .
D-Day 60 Years Later On History TV

History Television aired a D-Day special on June 2, featuring military historian Brereton Greenhous. It was part of a run up to the 6^th of June, D-Day 60^th anniversary tribute.

As one who landed with an assault battalion that day in 1944, and participated in most of the major battles until the Rhine Crossing, I can say that I have never heard such a self-opinionated, arrogant and ignorant program.

All he said about what had been done, seemed based on twisted hindsight – and his views on what should have been done, etc.

The war, if it was to be won, had to be won in the heartland of Germany, and not along the coast. The Canadian Army, with much support from the British, was to provide left flank protection for the British and Americans headed for that goal in the industrial heartland. In this, the Canadian Army did a great job. I was with them.

It is easy for a speculator, such as Greenhaus, to say what should have been done, now after the fact. However, commanders in battle have to make up their minds based on the current information provided to them by their staffs. They must also act to seize an opportunity to get at the enemy’s vital parts whenever it appears. Yes, they sometimes have to take a chance – just as Eisenhower did on the 6^th of June, when that window of opportunity appeared.

Montgomery was known for his very careful planning and consideration of his troops. He did not have the numbers of men to waste, as did the Russians or Americans. Eisenhower was not a field commander; he was more diplomat and staff officer and at that he excelled. Montgomery was a brilliant strategist and battlefield commander with considerable experience before D-Day. I thank the gods of war that we served under his command, and with the overall support of Winston Churchill.

Greenhous has done a tremendous disservice to war veterans. He should go bury his head in the sand before he does more, and poisons more young minds.

In what army did Greenhous serve, if any, and in what capacity? Indeed, has he ever commanded?

Also, I must ask, “Why were the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders not mentioned?” We were the first Canadian battalion into Caen, and not without many casualties. We were given the main axis into Boulogne and Outreau. In the Scheldt, we were part of the 9 Brigade assault and we had taken Hoofdplaat; by 1630 hrs, the village was in our hands. Now, the annual memorial march starts at Hoofdplaat, and generally follows the axis of advance of the Glengarry Highlanders all the way. We were the first battalion into Knokke sur Mer on Nov. 4, 1944. Later, after the Glens advanced to the North of Holland (Groesbeek), the Glens were given the task of taking Emden, the big German naval Base, which they did.

That all this is not well known is partly because the Glens of Cornwall, Brockville, Kingston, and Peterborough, have since remained far too modest.    

Maj R. R. Dixon is a member of RUSI of VI and resides in Stittsville, Ont. This was originally part of his letter to the Ottawa Citizen. Brereton Greenhous was a historian in the Directorate of History at National Defence Headquarters. – Ed.

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