Graye-sur-Mer and Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer in Normandy 1944

GRAYE-SUR-MER/SAINTE-CROIX-SUR-MER
(Calvados - 18 km north of Caen)
The Little Black Devils land on Juno Beach
On 6 June 1944, the 7th Canadian Brigade lands in Normandy on Juno Beach, defended by the 716th German Infantry Division, under General Richter. The special tanks are delayed, and the allied bombing left intact the major part of the German strongpoints. Therefore the losses are heavy in the first assault waves in front of Courseulles-sur-Mer and Graye-sur-Mer. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, called the Little Black Devils, fight hand to hand to reduce the German machine-guns of the position coded Wiederstand Nest 31. The arrival of the 1st Hussars Regiment tanks finally crack the gate open. The Canadians move inland through the minefields and the marshes area, and liberate Graye-sur-Mer. They are joined by a company of the 1st Canadian Scottish Regiment, they capture Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer in the evening.

One Charlie Churchill Tank Graye-sur-Mer The Churchill tank was slow and heavily armoured, it was outdated but its many versions made it the second most manufactured British tank of the Second World War. Situation : at the gate of the beach (near the Liberation monument)

		Canadian soldiers plaque (4) Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer This plaque is in memory of the Canadian soldiers killed on 6 June 1944. Situation : on the wall of the cemetery beside the church

Airfield B3 monument (5)
Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer
This monument remembers that a RAF airfield was built in this place. From 10 June to 4 September 1944, the 146 typhoon wing, the 144 Wing RCAF, the 441, 442 et 443 Squadrons RCAF take off from this airfield. On 13 June the first squadrons - Ile de France et Alsace (340 and 341 squadrons) - of Free French Forces landed there.
Situation : 1 km north of the town, towards Ver-sur-Mer

		Inns of Court monument (2) Graye-sur-Mer This monument is dedicated to the men of Inns of Court Armoured Regiment who landed in Normandy on June 1944, and fought until the collapse of Germany in May 1945. Situation : on the D514 road, at the western exit of Courseulles-sur-Mer

		Royal Winnipeg Rifles plaque(3) Graye-sur-Mer This plaque was unveiled on the 50th anniversary of the Landing, it is dedicated to the Canadians of Royal Winnipeg Rifles. Situation : north of the town, on the left side of the road

Canadian plaque (2)
Graye-sur-Mer
In the Saint-Martin de Graye church a plaque is dedicated to the Canadian soldiers who liberated the town on 6 June 1944.
Situation : in Graye-sur-Mer church

Liberation monument (1)
Graye-sur-Mer
This monument recalls the Landing of the Allied Forces on 6 June 1944, and then the liberation of Europe.
Situation : on Graye-sur-Mer beach (near Croix de Lorraine)

Interesting websites

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