Juno Beach

We’re off to Juno and Sword beaches. Juno was assigned to the Canadian’s (Canuck’s) who had ~14,000 troops ready to assault the 6 mile beach. The 3rd Canadian Division landed at Juno Beach, led by the 7th Brigade, 8th Brigade, 6th Armoured Regiment and 10th Armoured Regiment. Canadian Objectives: To establish a beachhead, capture the three small seaside towns, advance ten miles inland, cut the Caen -Bayeux highway, seize the Carpiquet airport west of Caen, and form a link between the British beachheads Sword and Gold.

Early that morning British, Canadian and American bombers unloaded ~5,500 tons of bombs on the defenses (little effect) then followed up with a naval bombardment from Canadian and British cruisers. All had minimal impact on the defenses with the Canadians receiving the brunt of the German forces.

The beach was defended by 7,771 troops from 716th Static and 352nd Infantry Divisions, with elements of the 21st Panzer Division held in reserve near Caen. Bunkers were located every 1,000 yards containing machine guns, mortars, anti-tank and anti-personnel artillery. Hundreds of beach obstacles were deployed between 12-17′ above the low water line.

The Canadians suffered great losses, as one would expect, but made the greatest progress of all the invasion force. (Side note: The Canadians advanced farther than any other force on D-Day!) Less than 1,000 casualties were a result of the landing.

Today their memorial is manned by Canadian students who provide guided tours of the remaining bunkers and cover the landing story.  Other than that, the beach is much like Gold and Sword, a residential area.

Juno Beach South

Juno Beach North

Armament description of Juno Beach

Score one!

Pillbox between Juno and Sword beaches