Sask Military Museum

The 6th of June 1944, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade landed on Juno Beach. The 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade attacked at Bernières-sur-Mer, while the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade landed near Courseulles-sur-Mer. The Canadian assault troops faced fierce opposition from the German defenders, protected in concrete defensive structures armed with machine guns and artillery. Despite the heavy resistance, the Canadians pushed inland and established their position in the beachhead. 359 Canadian soldiers, including those from the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, were killed on D-Day while over 500 others were wounded and another 131 were captured by the Germans. The success at Juno Beach came at a heavy price. 3rd Canadian Infantry Division War Diary 6 June 1944: This was the long awaited D Day. The sea was much more unruly than most of us expected -- probably fooling the Germans as well as ourselves. From the Hilary one could see, long before dawn, the constant flashes of exploding bombs from the coast of France. There seemed to be a myriad of boats -- all sizes and shapes tossing on the waves. First message received was at 0618 hrs informing us that our amphibious tanks might not be launched due to heavy seas. Subsequent messages came to the Ops desk in a steady stream, from Navy, Army and Airforce. The DD tks were finally launched from about 4000 yds to 2500 yds on one sector, on the other sector the craft beached to unload. Rough weather was responsible for some being drowned and others arriving late on the beaches. 0809 The leading Inf touched down on both Bde Sectors. 1050 Gen R F L Keller issued the order to land the reserve Bde -- 9 Cdn Inf Bde -- and Stand-in HQ, on the left Bde Sector (The one assaulted by 8 Cdn Inf Bde). The Div Commander with half his HQ Staff left the Hilary at 1145 hrs, the other half headed by the GSO 1 Lt-Col J D Mingay left at approximately 1340 hrs. 1435 Gen Keller held a conference of Brig Blackader and Cunningham -- Commanders of 8 and 9 Cdn Inf Bdes respectively and Brig Wyman Commanding 2 Cdn Armd Bde. Place: Berniers Sur Mur This first "O" Gp on French soil confirmed that the N Shore R were in TAILLEVILLE and it was decided that 8 Cdn Inf Bde would take BENY SUR MER. When this had been accomplished 9 Cdn Inf Bde would pass through. 1530 By this time BENY SUR MER was clear of the enemy and 9 Cdn Inf Bde had started their move forward. Meanwhile 7 Cdn Inf Bde had overcome the enemy in CROIX SUR MER, BANVILLE and had secured the crossing at TIERCEVILLE. 2200 7 Cdn Inf Bde had occupied the area LANTHEUIL, LE FRESNE-CAMILLY and CAINET. 8 Cdn Inf Bde occupied area COLOMBY SUR THAON, AUGUERNY. 9 Cdn Inf Bde occupied area VILLONS LES BUISSONS -- LE VEY. Div HQ was situated in a small orchard at BERNIERS SUR MER. Everyone dug themselves in. The veh situation was very limited, consisting of wireless half-track and one jeep. Sleep was not contemplated by reason of excitement and also by heavy AA fire being put up on the beaches against enemy bombing. Our defence platoon had not landed so everyone, other than those doing immediate jobs set about guarding the HQ. Pictures 📷Infantrymen in a Landing Craft Assault (LCA) going ashore from H.M.C.S. PRINCE HENRY off the Normandy beachhead, France, 6 June 1944 LAC Item ID number:3205254 📷Infantrymen of Le Régiment de la Chaudière moving through Bernières-sur-Mer, France, 6 June 1944 LAC Item ID number:3405728 📷Wounded Canadian soldiers awaiting evacuation to a Casualty Clearing Station of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (R.C.A.M.C.) in the Normandy beachhead, France, 6 June 1944 LAC Item ID number:3203237 📷Troops of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade (Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders) going ashore from LCI (L) 299 [Landing Craft Infantry], Bernières-sur-mer, Normandy, France, 6 June 1944 LAC Item ID number 3408540