"This Way!" Memorial Sculpture

This sculpture, “THIS WAY!”, depicts a member of 1^st Canadian Parachute Battalion on one knee on a cobblestone road, looking back over his right shoulder and signaling other members to follow him during the Normandy Drop. Since no experienced soldier would pause on an open road, the Artists suggests imagining that a near-by vehicle wreck provides the paratrooper with cover from the direction of the enemy. Furthermore, we assume he has already sighted a protected spot for his next tactical bound to pursue the assault. This paratrooper’s kit includes the unique items of uniform identification that distinguished Canadians from the British paratroopers: Canadian Jump Wings on his chest and a small ribbon on the epaulettes. This sculpture was erected in March 2013 by the Royal Military College of Canada, and is dedicated to members of the 1^st Canadian Parachute Battalion, which was the first Canadian operational parachute unit. That unit was placed under command of the British 6^th Airborne Division and distinguished itself in two major operational para-drops: the D-Day drop into Normandy, and the Rhine River drop.