Edward Brain's Blog

Today, June 6th, 2025, marks the 82nd Anniversary of the D-Day Landings as part of Operation Overlord – the opening of the second front in Europe as part of World War II.

As part of Operation Overlord, the D-Day Landings were officially given the code name of Operation Neptune.

On this day in 1944, troops from Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.A landed at five beaches along the Normandy coast: Gold, Juno, Omaha, Sword, and Utah,

Omaha and Utah Beaches were lead by U.S. troops while Golf and Sword were led by British troops. For Canadians, Juno Beach was the responsibility of the First Canadian Army.

The First Canadian Army would be assisted with the transportation of troops and a naval bombardment force by the Royal Canadian Navy and the British Royal Navy. There were also elements of the Free French, Norwegian, and other Allied navies in their action.

Juno Beach would see 961 Allied casualties: 340 dead, 574 wounded, and 47 taken captive.

Juno Beach was divided into two sections: Mike and Nan. Mike was the western section with Nan was the eastern section. The 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade would take charge of landing in the Mike section while the Nan Section’s assault was led by the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade.

Regiments included in the landing were the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, The Canadian Scottish Regiment, the 1st Hussars, North Shore Regiment, the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, the Fort Garry Horse, Le Régiment de la Chaudière, and The Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment. Also involved were The Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, Royal Canadian Engineers, the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, and the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps.

The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion would serve with the British 3rd Parachute Brigade during the operation.

On June 6th, 2003 the Juno Beach Centre was opened to honour the Canadian veterans who served during the war.

While the first day of fighting was not as successful as planned, Juno Beach saw some of the most success on the first day of fighting.

The war in Europe would come to an end 11 months later on May 8th, 1945.

Lest We Forget the sacrifices of Canadian service personnel, and their allied counterparts, who served during the D-Day operations.

For more information about Canada’s involvement on D-Day:

• D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
• ‘It’s the invasion! It’s D-Day! At last!’ What Canadian soldiers saw on Juno Beach in 1944
• The scars of D-Day 80 years later
• D-Day and the Battle of Normandy (Veterans Affairs)