Juno Beach

Normandy Battlefields Tour – Canadian World War II Sites

This tour provided a fascinating, fact-filled afternoon. Our tour was limited to a group 8 people; we left from Bayeux and hotel pick-up was available. As we took the small roads out of Bayeux, our guide ascertained facts from any of us who had relatives in WWII.

Our first stop was Graye-sur-Mer which was liberated on June 6, 1944 by the 7th Canadian Infantry (Assault) Brigade (Group). Above left: the tank known as 1 Charlie with the Cross of Lorraine in the back ground; above right: the plaque in front of 1 Charlie. Below left: Graye-sur-Mer; below right: a noteable plaque on Graye-sur-Mer. Lower left and right: German bunkers.

We then went on to Courseulles-sur-Mer. It is situated immediately behind Juno beach where 14,000 Canadian troops landed on D-Day June 6, 1944. The centre was inaugurated on June 6, 2003, but the concept originated in 1990s by Canadian veterans who felt that the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers during the liberation of Europe was not properly commemorated or represented in Normandy. Veteran Garth Webb and his companion Lise Cooper spearheaded the project.

Above left: commemorative bricks in front of Juno Beach Centre; above right: the Remembrance and Renewal sculpture by Colin Gibson outside the Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy, France.

Moving on from Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer, we visited Canada House, Bernières-sur-Mer. This symbolic house was previously named Maison de Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. Today, it represents the sacrifice of Canadians in Normandy. Germans controlled much of France by June 1940 and the beach had become a military zone under German occupation. Most homes were destroyed to give the Germans a better view of the channel. It is not clear why this house was spared and it is believed to be the first house liberated on June 6, 1944 during the Allied invasion.

Above left: one of the many photos on the right side of Canada House which represents another symbolic image for Canadians at war; above right: as the beach area looks today. It is situated in front of Canada House.

Above left: standing in front of Canada House looking to the right; above right: a plaque commemorating the liberation of what is now known as Canada House. It notes that within sight of Canada House, over 100 men of the Queen’s Own Rifles were killed or wounded within the first few minutes of the landings.