On 19 August 1942, soldiers of the Second Canadian Division took part in the ill-fated and controversial raid on Dieppe, France. Was it folly to attack a well-defended port or a necessary sacrifice of young Canadians to save countless lives later?
This is a true story honouring the young French Canadians who, as proud members of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, took part in the ill-fated raid. Three veterans who survived the Raid and the subsequent years in prisoner of war camps provided first-hand accounts of their years with Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, from their enrolment in 1940 to their liberation as POWs in 1945.
A portion of the profits from the sale of this book will be donated to the Last Post Fund.
Michael John Laekas is the author of five published books that pay tribute to his parents, Mary and John Laekas. In 2009, he embarked on a project to provide a legacy for future generations. The result is a set of books that will appeal to fans of stories about love, war, and family. First came the trilogy Mary and John, The Early Years that describes the rough and tumble world of his parents, from their childhood to young adults. Then he created a remarkable photo album with narrative (Reliving Their Journey) that followed his emotional 47-day visit to places in Canada, Great Britain, and Europe that marked significant events in his parents’ young lives. His latest book is a compelling story of his father’s years as a Canadian soldier during the Second World War in A Soldier’s Journey 1940-1945.