Canadians win goal, Premier declares
Progress thrills Parliament; Québec Bloc sets precedent
Ottawa, Canada – (June 6)
Canadian troops taking part in the Allied landing in France “have successfully achieved their first objective and are making good progress,” Prime Minister W. L. Mackenzie King informed the House of Commons this afternoon in making his report on the day’s great events.
At the same time, he warned that:
The task of having landed is but a prelude to the more urgent task of maintaining this first foothold and of maintaining it so strongly that the enemy cannot dislodge the Allied forces.
Opposition leader Gordon Graydon said:
There are no divisions of opinion, no cleavages in thought in this House as we rivet our attention upon the progress of the long-anticipated offensive in Europe.
From the ranks of the French-speaking members, Maurice Lalonde rose to acclaim, in the French language, “the historic fact that from the belfry of time has rung out the hour of the deliverance of France.”
With the permission of the House, he asked that the French national hymn should be sung, and for the first time in Canadian parliamentary history, all the members joined in singing “The Marseillaise.” They following with “God Save the King.”
Toronto, Ontario, Canada (CP) – (June 6)
Canadians of every faith went to their churches today to bespeak the help of God for their fighting men with the Allied invasion forces in Europe.
In almost every Canadian city, there were special services in the churches, which also remained open during the day for private prayer.