Just days after the D-Day landings on 11 June 1944—the First Hussars (2st Canadian Armoured Brigade) and the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada were ordered to launch a hasty attack to seize ground south of Cheux, beginning with the capture of Le Mesnil-Patry.

Poorly planned and executed under extreme pressure, the assault was launched with almost no time for reconnaissance or coordination. Canadian troops, riding exposed on Sherman tanks across open wheat fields, were quickly ambushed by the well-prepared 12th SS Panzer Division. German forces, having intercepted Allied communications and radio frequencies, unleashed a devastating counterattack. Within minutes, heavy enemy fire reduced “D” Company of the Queen’s Own Rifles and “B” Squadron of the First Hussars to fragments. Hand-to-hand fighting broke out in the village, while Panzers knocked out nearly all the advancing Shermans.

By day’s end, the Canadians had suffered grievous losses: the First Hussars lost 34 tanks, 61 killed, and many of the unit’s tactical leaders; the Queen’s Own Rifles lost 50 men killed, with many more wounded or captured—some later executed by enemy forces. The action became known as the “Black Day” of the regiment.

Though tactically disastrous, the battle ultimately disrupted a major German counterattack, contributing to the protection of the Canadian 7th Infantry Brigade and enabling future Allied advances. The sector would be fully secured weeks later during Operation Epsom.

On the monument located in front of Saint-Julien Church are etched in gold the names of those who paid the ultimate price. It stands as a memory of the Canadian soldiers who fell during one of the most devastating engagements of the Normandy campaign.