Juno Beach was one of the five main landing sites during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, known officially as Operation Neptune, which was part of the larger Operation Overlord. This beach was assigned to the 3rd Canadian Division, along with commandos from the British 1st Special Service Brigade.
Juno Beach stretched from Courseulles-sur-Mer to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, covering approximately 10 kilometers of the Normandy coast. The beach was divided into three main sectors:
The primary objective for the forces landing on Juno Beach was to secure a beachhead to facilitate the inland advance, particularly towards Caen, which was a key strategic point. Challenges included:
The assault began at 07:45 on June 6. Despite facing stiff German resistance, the Canadians managed to push inland further than any other Allied force that day, reaching approximately 10 kilometers inland by the end of D-Day. The landing was supported by:
By the end of D-Day, Juno Beach had seen some of the heaviest fighting, with the Canadians suffering approximately 1,200 casualties, but they managed to capture several key villages and towns. The success at Juno Beach contributed significantly to the overall success of the D-Day operation, allowing for the establishment of a crucial foothold in Normandy.
Today, Juno Beach is a site of remembrance with several monuments and museums: