Juno Beach Landings and the Inland Battle to Bretteville
This Canadian battlefield tour follows the landing of the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division and supporting units at Juno Beach on D-Day, one of the most significant WWII battlefields in Normandy. The route runs between St-Aubin-sur-Mer and Graye-sur-Mer, tracing the division's advance inland. Juno was divided into two landing sectors: Mike and Nan.
St-Aubin-sur-Mer, Nan Red. A popular seaside resort that saw the landings of the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, together with 48 Royal Marine Commando, tasked with linking up with Sword Beach. Hear how these Canadian soldiers fought to take the town and advance on the German battalion headquarters at Tailleville.
Tailleville. A small fortified farming village used as the headquarters of the 2nd Battalion, 736th Regiment. Hear how the North Shore Regiment, supported by the Fort Garry Horse, advanced on the village and captured the German HQ.
Bernières-sur-Mer, Nan White. See the landing site of the Queen's Own Rifles and supporting units, followed by the Régiment de la Chaudière. Hear how they captured the town and pushed inland. Because of difficulties at Courseulles-sur-Mer, General Keller made the decision to land the 9th Brigade at Bernières-sur-Mer instead.
Lunch stop.
Courseulles-sur-Mer, Nan Green. A small harbour town with a railway terminal running through the Juno Beach sector toward Caen. The harbour was heavily defended. Hear how the Regina Rifles and supporting units fought to take the beach, town, and port against stubborn German resistance.
Graye-sur-Mer, Mike Red. An open sand dune beach west of the port, well defended due to its proximity to the harbour. The Canadian Scottish and Royal Winnipeg Rifles, with attached units, assaulted this sector of Juno Beach. Hear how they fought their way ashore and advanced inland, fending off early counterattacks from Saint-Croix.
Juno Beach Centre. Located in the Mike Red sector of Juno Beach, this is Canada's only museum in Normandy, founded by veteran Garth Webb. An optional visit can be included on request for those wanting a deeper look at the Canadian forces who fought here.
Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery. A beautifully laid out cemetery overlooking Juno Beach and the final resting place of 2,048 servicemen. Walking among the graves is a truly moving experience, a quiet, powerful close to a day spent following the footsteps of the men who landed at Juno on D-Day.
From here, the tour follows the path of the Regina Rifles through Reviers and Fontaine-Henry to Bretteville-l'Orgueilleuse, where they advanced on this small town on the vital Caen to Cherbourg route on 7 June, fighting off determined counterattacks from the 12th SS Panzer Division as the advance on Caen continued. This inland push forms one of the lesser-known chapters of the Second World War in Normandy, and a fitting close to this Canadian battlefield tour.
