Stock Photo - World War II - FRANCE. Invasion of Normandy 1944, Canadian Soldier Resting in Foxhole in Normandy France 1944. In 1944, Canadian soldiers took part in the Battle of Normandy, invading France and taking a rest in a foxhole in the country. This battle was part of a major Allied offensive which aimed to overthrow the Nazi occupation of Europe and was the largest seaborne and airborne attack in history at that time. The Canadian soldiers were part of the larger invasion force of soldiers from the United States, Britain, Canada, Poland, Australia and New Zealand, along with other Allied forces. The Canadian troops first landed on Dunkirk beach in France on 6 June 1944, just over two weeks before D-Day, and went on to participate in the Battle of Caen, the Battle of the Falaise Gap, the Battle of the Scheldt, the liberation of Boulogne, and the Battle of Arnhem. This invasion saw massive air, sea and land operations across France, and Canadian soldiers showed bravery and determination during their advance into enemy territory and in successfully pushing back Nazi forces. Canadian troops were involved in the very end of the war in Europe, and their contribution was instrumental in liberating France and helping to win the war.