It was at Arromanches, pictured here, that Allied forces constructed the portable Mulberry Harbour known as Port Winston, after wartime leader Winston Churchill, who was closely involved in its conception. A staggering 2.5 million men, 500,000 vehicles and 4 million tonnes of supplies arrived via Port Winston.SUPPLIED
As The Globe and Mail’s Ottawa Bureau Chief, Robert Fife is responsible for steering the news organization’s political coverage. Fife is also one of The Globe’s journalists who will be on board the upcoming French River Cruise in July. Learn more at globeandmailcruises.com
This year marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Can you talk about the significance of taking a boat full of Canadians to Juno beach as part of the itinerary?
As a reporter, I was at Juno beach in 2004 to cover the 60th anniversary of D-Day. I will never forget the proud old veterans, many in uniforms and some in wheelchairs, walking on wooden planks to the beach where they had fought so valiantly and where they said goodbye once again to former comrades. The Allied invasion of Normandy put an end to Hitler’s totalitarian world and offered so much hope to the baby boomer generation. In the post-war period, Liberal democracies set a shining example to the world and were quickly embraced by Eastern European and Baltic nations after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Now, I worry that the sacrifices of my father’s generation are under threat from the rise of illiberal democracies – populist governments that have little regard for individual rights, constitutional norms or the rule of law. Equally troubling is the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe – let alone the growing economic and military influence of China’s authoritarian rulers. I would like to reflect on and discuss these issues during our trip as we show our gratitude to Canadian soldiers and the role they played in helping to end Nazi occupation of Europe.
Journalist Robert Fife.SUPPLIED
This is your first time on board one of the Globe’s cruises. What are you most looking forward to?
I want to hear what the cruise participants have to say about Operation Overlord. Everyone, I am sure, will bring a different and enriching perspective. I know they will never forget the experience of the Canadian cemetery at Bény-sur-Mer, where I visited in 2004 and when I hiked the Normandy coast some years later. I know the participants will be moved to tears as they walk among the dead in this serene resting place.
The Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery near the village of Reviers contains 2,048 Second World War burials, the majority Canadian. Many of those buried here were men of the 3rd Canadian Division who died on June 6, 1944 during the Normandy landings.SUPPLIED
Can you tell us a bit about your involvement on the cruise? What can passengers expect?
As part of the cruise, I will be taking part in a Globe and Mail Insider breakfast event on July 6. Publisher Phillip Crawley will make a brief introduction and then I will make a presentation on the political landscape – big stories of the year so far, election coverage, state of the parties etc. – and then open the floor to questions. I will also give the participants a brief summary of what they can expect from the July 7 event in Honfleur.
I am keen to talk to Globe subscribers about politics and key issues of the day. I will be happy to share my insights on the upcoming federal election and perspective on the leaders and party platforms. I look forward to hearing what issues subscribers believe are not being covered properly and get feedback on some of our major stories this year from Huawei to the SNC-Lavalin affair.