Courseulles-sur-Mer in Normandie 1944

The breakthrough of the Canadians on Juno Beach
Juno Beach stretches from Ver-sur-Mer to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, it is the landing area of the 3rd Canadian infantry division commanded by General Keller. In Courseulles-sur-Mer the Germans have fortified the mouth of the river Seulles. On 6 June 1944, at 7:45 a. m. amphibious tanks of the 1st Hussars are launched three kilometers from the coast, but most of them sink because of the strong swell. Those that succeed in reaching the beach immediately open fire on the German positions; they enable the 7th Brigade to advance quickly and to liberate Courseulles-sur-Mer in a few hours. At the evening of 6 June, some 21,500 men and 3,200 vehicles have landed on Juno Beach.

COURSEULLES-SUR-MER (Calvados - 18 km north of Caen)

	Juno Beach Center The Juno Beach Center intends to explain the part of Canada in the World War II. Several permanent and temporary expositions are on display. Situation : west of the harbor, on the waterfront - Juno Beach Center, Free French avenue BP 104 - 14470 Courseulles-sur-Mer tél : 02 31 37 32 17 email : contact@junobeach.org

“La Combattante” stele (2)
This stele is in memory of “La Combattante” navy sailors, a destroyer of the Free French Naval Forces, which brought back General de Gaulle in France at Courseulles-sur-Mer on 14 June 1944.
Situation: on the waterfront, a place in the town center

		Sherman tank This tank was recovered in 1970 two kilometers away in sea, it was restored before being exposed. Badges of units who fought in the area are welded to it. Situation : on the waterfront, in the town center

Royal Winnipeg Rifles monument (3)
This monument is dedicated to the 7th Royal Brigade of the Winnipeg Rifles who was commanded by Lieutenant colonel J. M. Meldram. The soldiers of the RWR, called
the " Little black devils", landed on Juno Beach on 6 June 1944.
Situation : on the waterfront, in the town center

Croix de Lorraine monument (4)
This huge cross commemorates the return of General de Gaulle in France.
Situation : on the waterfront, west of city (follow the road-sign)

			First Canadian Scottish stele (2) This stele is in memory of the First Canadian Scottish regiment soldiers who landed on Juno beach on 6 June 1944. Situation : on the waterfront, access to beach (near Liberation monument)

		Regina Rifle stele (2) This stele is in memory of the 458 dead of the Regina Rifle during the Second World War. Situation : on the waterfront, access to beach (near Liberation monument)

Notthingham bridge plate
This plate commemorates the building of this bridge by the 8th Royal British Engineers company.
Situation : this bridge gives access to Croix de Lorraine monument

Liberation Monument (1)
This monument recalls the liberation of Europe by the Allied forces on 6 June 1944, and the return in France of General de Gaulle at Courseulles-sur-Mer on 14 June 1944.
Situation : on the waterfront, in the town center

Interesting websites

Link to : the Atlantic Wall belgian website of Sébastien Devière
Link to : the Atlantic Wall personal website of Stéphane Boos
Link to : Operation Overlord website
Link to : the D-Day personal website of Patrick Elie
Link to : Tourism in Normandy official website