COURSEULLES-SUR-MER Calvados - 18 km north of Caen
 The breakthrough of the Canadians on Juno Beach
Juno Beach stretched from Ver-sur-Mer to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, it was the landing area of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division under General Keller. In Courseulles-sur-Mer the Germans had fortified the mouth of the river Seulles. On 6 June 1944, at 7:45 am the amphibious tanks of the 1st Hussars were launched in the ocean three kilometers from the coast, most of them sank because of the hard swell. Those that succeeded in reaching the sand of the beach immediately opened fire on the German positions. They enabled the 7th Brigade to advance quickly inland, and to liberate Courseulles-sur-Mer in a few hours. At the evening of 6 June, 21,500 men and 3,200 vehicles had been landing on Juno Beach.
   
 
 

Juno Beach Center
 The Juno Beach Center mission is to explain the part of Canada Army Forces in the World War II, and to present the contemporary Canadian society. Several permanent and temporary expositions are on display.

 
  Canadian soldiers stele
This stone stele - inukshuk - is dedicated to the Canadian soldiers fallen on the beach of Courseulles-sur-Mer on 6 June 1944.
Situation : near the Juno Beach Centre
  Atlantic Wall path
Around the Juno Beach Centre, a path makes discover vestiges of Atlantic Wall
Situation : on the sea front, 100 m from the Juno Beach Centre
Sherman tank and Gariepy plaque
 This tank was recovered in 1970 in sea, it was restored before being exposed. Badges of units who fought in the area are welded to it. A plaque is dedicated to Leo Gariepy who fought there in his tank.
 Situation : on the sea front, in the town center

 
La Combattante stele
 Stele in memory of La Combattante sailors, the destroyer of the Free French Navy, that brought back General de Gaulle in France in Courseulles-sur-Mer on 14 June 1944.
 Situation : on the sea front, in the town center
Croix de Lorraine monument
 Monument symbolizing the Croix de Lorraine and commemorating the return of General de Gaulle in France.
 Situation : on the sea front, west of city (follow the road-sign)

The Royal Winnipeg Rifles monument
 Monument dedicated to the Royal Winnipeg Rifles of the 7th Brigade under 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 sea front, in the town center
The Regina Rifles Regiment stele
 Stele in memory of the soldiers of The Regina Rifles Regiment killed during the World War II.
 Situation : on the sea front, entrance of the beach (near Liberation monument)
  Liberation and De Gaulle monument
 Monument recalling the landing of the Allied Forces on 6 June 1944, and the return in France of General de Gaulle in Courseulles-sur-Mer on 14 June 1944. Facing the monument a German gun is marked with the fighting of D-day.
 Situation : on the sea front, in the town center
  Royal Engineers plaque
 Plaque commemorating the building of this Nottingham bridge by the 85th Royal Engineers Company.
 Situation : this old bridge gives access to Croix de Lorraine monument
The Canadian Scottish Regiment stele
 Stele in memory of the 1st Battalion the Canadian Scottish Regiment who landed on Juno Beach.
 Situation : on the sea front, entrance to the beach (near Liberation monument)
  La Combattante plaque
 Plaque dedicated to the destroyer la Combattante of the Free French Navy that brought back in France General De Gaulle, and to the sailors missing to sea.
Situation : on the sea front, on a calvary at the mouth of the river Seulles, west bank
ROAD MAP
 
INTERESTING WEB SITES
Association web site about Canadian soldiers on D-day
http://www.waramps.ca/military/wwii/dday.html
Charles de Gaulle fondation web site
http://www.charles-de-gaulle.org/
Association web site about the 1er Bataillon de fusiliers-marins commandos français
http://www.commandosfnfl.net/
Page about the naval forces of D-day
http://www.naval-history.net/WW2194406.htm
Personal web site about the Atlantic Wall
http://site.voila.fr/bunkers
 
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