On June 6, 1944, 18,000 Canadian soldiers were among the 107,000 Allied troops to storm Normandy's Juno Beach. Facing concrete bunkers, tangled barbed wire, and heavy gunfire, they pressed inland under intense opposition.
This detailed narrative examines the planning, strategy, and fierce combat that defined Canada's role in capturing a five-mile stretch of fortified coastline. From the sea wall lined with 88-millimetre guns to minefields and anti-tank obstacles, each challenge tested the resolve of the first wave.
By day's end, Canadian forces had achieved objectives farther inland than any other beachhead, despite one in six troops becoming casualties. Their tenacity secured a vital foothold and shaped the broader success of the Normandy invasion.
Supported by archival records and firsthand accounts, this comprehensive study brings every moment of the Juno Beach assault into vivid focus, revealing the human determination behind one of World War II's defining operations.
- Survey of tactical planning and execution
- Insights into soldier experiences and leadership
- Analysis of equipment, defences, and terrain
- Impact on the D-Day campaign and Canadian legacy
