The story of the Canadians in Ortona was one of my first big war stories, and it happened because of the fantastic photos and film footage I came across during my research. It's never fun researching war stories, but war, unfortunately, has everything to do with our human story. There's no getting away from it. However, it was incredible to learn that these men, mostly from British Columbia, enjoyed a Christmas dinner during heavy battle.
What was especially interesting to me was that behind a grate in the old chapel where the soldiers dined hung a 16th-century Byzantine-style fresco of the Madonna and Child, known as the Madonna of Constantinople. As the story goes, the Virgin Mary and Child appeared to a Muslim Turk who became so overwhelmed with emotion that he converted to Christianity soon afterwards. It was, perhaps, a fitting piece of Christmas art to accompany a Christmas meal in the middle of a Christmas battle.
"1944::War Diary of an 18-Year-Old Nazi Paratrooper" Clip: The Windsor Star (1944) Windsor, Ontario
The following clip was probably the most interesting (and heartbreaking) find. Although it was too long to include in this Christmas story, I felt it was worth sharing nonetheless.
Thanks for following along!
🚂Papertown Conductor