The 3rd Canadian Division were allocated JUNO
beach. The division was to protect the flanks of the forces on SWORD, clear
specific villages, and penetrate in land to link with the British 3rd
Division (JUNO) and the 50th Northumbrian Division (GOLD), in order
to establish a bridgehead along the BAYEUX to CAEN railway line for subsequent
operations.
The landings planned for 07:35
arrived 10 minutes late. The pre landing bombardment had been in effective. Heavy
machine gun fire from strongpoints, together with beach obstacles accounted for
50 % casualties in the first waves. Where DD tanks with the infantry, they were
effective in providing immediate fire support. Assisted by the specialist
vehicles from the 79th Armoured Division, the defences were breached
and exits cleared. Subsequent waves began to clear the strongpoints and advance
inland.
The Canadians were off the
beaches within hours, the villages of GRAYE SUR MER, COURSELLES, and BERNIERES
were captured during the morning, though resistance in ST AUBIN, meant it was
late afternoon before this was secured.
In land the defences were sparse,
the Canadians being able to advance until being met by a counter attack from
the 192nd Panzer Grenadier Regiment, preventing the link up with the
forces in the SWORD BEACH area. To the west, the link up with the British on
GOLD was achieved at CREULLY.
The Canadians then began
consolidating their gains, strongly digging in on a 5 mile frontage on a line
running between CREULLY, PEIRREPONT and COLOMBY SUR THAON. By the end of the
day 3,200 vehicles, 2,500 tons of material and 15,000 men had been landed for
losses of 946 killed, wounded or missing. Most objectives had been achieved,
though the CAEN-CARPIQUET AIRFIELD would remain in German hands till July.
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| Juno Beach |
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| Juno Beach |
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| Juno Beach |