Seven Days in Hell: Canada's Battle for Normandy and the Rise of the Black Watch Snipers

by David O'Keefe

the operation had resulted in an unprecedented spike in “psychological casualties” in frontline units, which conservative estimates placed at one-quarter of all non-fatal battle casualties, leaving commanders and medical professionals scratching their heads for answers. So far, there seemed to be a correlation with heavy or prolonged artillery strikes, something the Black Watch would come to realize over the coming days. As Captain John Kemp recorded, “Men appeared to be able to stand almost any amount of physical fatigue, but when in defensive positions under heavy mortar and artillery fire and the men were unable to hit back at anything, mental fatigue became very noticeable and had to be watched carefully.”