The Breakthrough of the Canadians on Juno Beach
Courseulles-sur-Mer
"Juno Beach stretched from Ver-sur-Mer to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, it was the landing area of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division under General Keller. In Courseulles-sur-Mer the Germans had fortified the mouth of the river Seulles. On 6 June 1944, at 7:45 am the amphibious tanks of the 1st Hussars were launched in the ocean three kilometers from the coast, most of them sank because of the hard swell. Those that succeeded in reaching the sand of the beach immediately opened fire on the German positions. They enabled the 7th Brigade to advance quickly inland, and to liberate Courseulles-sur-Mer in a few hours. At the evening of 6 June, 21,500 men and 3,200 vehicles had been landing on Juno Beach."
Sherman Tank and Gariepy Plaque
"This tank was recovered in 1970 in sea, it was restored before being exposed. Badges of units who fought in the area are welded to it. A plaque is dedicated to Leo Gariepy who fought there in his tank."
"Juno Beach stretched from Ver-sur-Mer to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, it was the landing area of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division under General Keller. In Courseulles-sur-Mer the Germans had fortified the mouth of the river Seulles. On 6 June 1944, at 7:45 am the amphibious tanks of the 1st Hussars were launched in the ocean three kilometers from the coast, most of them sank because of the hard swell. Those that succeeded in reaching the sand of the beach immediately opened fire on the German positions. They enabled the 7th Brigade to advance quickly inland, and to liberate Courseulles-sur-Mer in a few hours. At the evening of 6 June, 21,500 men and 3,200 vehicles had been landing on Juno Beach."
Sherman Tank and Gariepy Plaque
"This tank was recovered in 1970 in sea, it was restored before being exposed. Badges of units who fought in the area are welded to it. A plaque is dedicated to Leo Gariepy who fought there in his tank."
Steles
The Regina Rifles Regiment
"Stele in memory of the soldiers of The Regina Rifles Regiment killed during the World War II." The Canadian Scottish Regiment "Stele in memory of the 1st Battalion the Canadian Scottish Regiment who landed on Juno Beach." |
Monuments
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
"Monument dedicated to the Royal Winnipeg Rifles of the 7th Brigade under Lieutenant-colonel J. M. Meldram. The soldiers of the RWR, called the Little Black Devils, landed on Juno Beach on 6 June 1944." "Dedicated to the Proud Memory of Our Comrades." |
Storming Juno
"STORMING JUNO is a movie based on the remarkable and determined actions of a handful of young men on that historic day. As the day unfolds, some will defy the odds and survive to tell their stories. Others will sacrifice their lives on the sands of Juno Beach. As the fog of war lifts, our soldiers will be the first Allied troops to secure a beachhead on D-Day." (YouTube)
"STORMING JUNO is a movie based on the remarkable and determined actions of a handful of young men on that historic day. As the day unfolds, some will defy the odds and survive to tell their stories. Others will sacrifice their lives on the sands of Juno Beach. As the fog of war lifts, our soldiers will be the first Allied troops to secure a beachhead on D-Day." (YouTube)
The Canadians Under a deluge of shells.
Church in Bernieres-sur-Mer
Bernieres-sur-Mer
"On 6 June 1944, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division commanded by General Keller landed in Normandy on Juno Beach. At 8:05 am, the Queen's Own Rifles Regiment set foot on this Norman beach in bad conditions: the amphibious tanks were late, and the preliminary artillery bombing left intact the German defences. The machine-guns and the weapons of the battery de La Cassine killed tens of Canadian soldiers before being neutralized in hand to hand fighting. A battleship of The Royal Navy approached the coast to support the attack, the blockhouses were fired at point blank range, and the Canadians overcame the German positions. Finally, at 8:30 am, infantry reinforcement, among them the French Canadians of Le Régiment de La Chaudière, and tanks of The Fort Garry Horse slammed ashore, Bernières-sur-Mer was liberated."
"On 6 June 1944, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division commanded by General Keller landed in Normandy on Juno Beach. At 8:05 am, the Queen's Own Rifles Regiment set foot on this Norman beach in bad conditions: the amphibious tanks were late, and the preliminary artillery bombing left intact the German defences. The machine-guns and the weapons of the battery de La Cassine killed tens of Canadian soldiers before being neutralized in hand to hand fighting. A battleship of The Royal Navy approached the coast to support the attack, the blockhouses were fired at point blank range, and the Canadians overcame the German positions. Finally, at 8:30 am, infantry reinforcement, among them the French Canadians of Le Régiment de La Chaudière, and tanks of The Fort Garry Horse slammed ashore, Bernières-sur-Mer was liberated."
14th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
Memorial Stone
Memorial
"The shore nearby and this field you are facing saw the sacrifice by the following members of the 14th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. Who gave their lives to secure our landing on the 6th of June 1944. Dedicated to the memory of those who fought, without promise, reward or relief, for the liberation of Europe and the hope of a better world."
In Memory of Garth S. Webb
"It is with extreme sadness that the Board of Directors of the Juno Beach Centre Association announces the passing of a true Canadian hero, our President, Garth S. Webb.
Mr. Webb passed away peacefully on the morning of May 8, 2012 at the age of 93. Symbolically, May 8 happens to be the 67th anniversary of VE day (Victory in Europe).
While Mr. Webb was most famously known as the founder and one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Juno Beach Centre he was also a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Our sympathies are with all of his extended family and friends.
Lieutenant Garth Webb landed on Juno Beach, Normandy France with the Canadian 14th Field Artillery on the morning of D-Day, June 6, 1944, as part of the Allied forces. His unit experienced significant casualties shortly after leaving the beach, but continued their advance that fateful day to begin the liberation of Europe." (Juno Beach Press Release, May 8, 2012)
"The shore nearby and this field you are facing saw the sacrifice by the following members of the 14th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. Who gave their lives to secure our landing on the 6th of June 1944. Dedicated to the memory of those who fought, without promise, reward or relief, for the liberation of Europe and the hope of a better world."
In Memory of Garth S. Webb
"It is with extreme sadness that the Board of Directors of the Juno Beach Centre Association announces the passing of a true Canadian hero, our President, Garth S. Webb.
Mr. Webb passed away peacefully on the morning of May 8, 2012 at the age of 93. Symbolically, May 8 happens to be the 67th anniversary of VE day (Victory in Europe).
While Mr. Webb was most famously known as the founder and one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Juno Beach Centre he was also a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Our sympathies are with all of his extended family and friends.
Lieutenant Garth Webb landed on Juno Beach, Normandy France with the Canadian 14th Field Artillery on the morning of D-Day, June 6, 1944, as part of the Allied forces. His unit experienced significant casualties shortly after leaving the beach, but continued their advance that fateful day to begin the liberation of Europe." (Juno Beach Press Release, May 8, 2012)
Special Tanks Opened a Breach in the Atlantic Wall
DD Tank
St-Aubin-sur-Mer
"On 6 June 1944, the North Shore Regiment of the 5th Canadian Brigade landed in Normandy on Juno Beach. They fought against a regiment of the 716th German Infantry Division. The Company A progression was easy west of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer while the Company B hit many obstacles. The support of the Fort Garry Horse amphibious tanks was decisive, the special tanks neutralized anti-tank walls and blockhouses with explosive shells. As soon as the German fortifications were vanquished Lieutenant-Colonel Buell launched his companies inland; at the end of the day the Canadians cleared Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer of the last German snipers. At Langrune-sur-Mer hard hand to hand fighting cost fifty per cent losses to the 48th Royal Marine Commando, but in the evening of 6 June the Germans were pushed back..."
"On 6 June 1944, the North Shore Regiment of the 5th Canadian Brigade landed in Normandy on Juno Beach. They fought against a regiment of the 716th German Infantry Division. The Company A progression was easy west of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer while the Company B hit many obstacles. The support of the Fort Garry Horse amphibious tanks was decisive, the special tanks neutralized anti-tank walls and blockhouses with explosive shells. As soon as the German fortifications were vanquished Lieutenant-Colonel Buell launched his companies inland; at the end of the day the Canadians cleared Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer of the last German snipers. At Langrune-sur-Mer hard hand to hand fighting cost fifty per cent losses to the 48th Royal Marine Commando, but in the evening of 6 June the Germans were pushed back..."
Canadian Cemetery of Beny-sur-Mer
"The Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery is a cemetery containing predominantly Canadian soldiers killed during the D-Day assault on Juno Beach and the early stages of the Battle of Normandy in World War II. The cemetery contains 2,049 headstones enclosed by pines and maples. These primarily mark the dead of the Canadian 3rd Division and the graves of 15 airmen. The mayor and people of Reviers, France take a special interest in the cemetery for, although it bears another town’s name, they feel it to be their own. Fine hedges decorate the entrance, and the flanking registry buildings have platforms from which the visitor can see the whole area and appreciate the skill and devotion that has gone into the planning and design of this superb cemetery."
"The Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery is a cemetery containing predominantly Canadian soldiers killed during the D-Day assault on Juno Beach and the early stages of the Battle of Normandy in World War II. The cemetery contains 2,049 headstones enclosed by pines and maples. These primarily mark the dead of the Canadian 3rd Division and the graves of 15 airmen. The mayor and people of Reviers, France take a special interest in the cemetery for, although it bears another town’s name, they feel it to be their own. Fine hedges decorate the entrance, and the flanking registry buildings have platforms from which the visitor can see the whole area and appreciate the skill and devotion that has gone into the planning and design of this superb cemetery."
Returning to Bayeux, we had our evening meal at the hotel and many called it an early night.