D-Day: Juno Beach

Juno Beach was a low, open shoreline guarded by German defenses and strong points along the length of the coastline. The powerful 3rd Canadian Infantry Division was tasked with linking the two British beaches of Sword and Gold, and capturing …

1944-06-06

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Juno Beach was a low, open shoreline guarded by German defenses and strong points along the length of the coastline. The powerful 3rd Canadian Infantry Division was tasked with linking the two British beaches of Sword and Gold, and capturing the Carpiquet airfield west of Caen. At 7.45 the Canadian forces began to land with support of Duplex Drive (DD) tanks and Hobart's Funnies. German positions around Bernières and other strong points inflicted heavy casualties, causing confusion among the Canadian forces and forcing them to eliminate the threat before pushing inland. Had they been able to advance more quickly they would have discovered an open path to Carpiquet airfield, but by the time the Canadians were able to advance inland, German Resistance had stiffened. Initially held up by Allied air forces and confusion at German High Command, reinforcements including the 12. SS-Panzer Division had finally moved into position. Although the Canadian forces managed to advance the furthest of any Allied landing force on D-Day, no more progress was made for almost a month with fierce fighting on both sides.

Juno Beach, France

Juno or Juno Beach was one of five beaches of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944 during the Second World War. The beach spanned from Courseulles, a village just east of the British beach Gold, to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, and just west of the British beach Sword. Taking Juno was the responsibility of the Canadian Army, with sea transport, mine sweeping, and a naval bombardment force provided by the Royal Canadian Navy and the British Royal Navy as well as elements from the Free French, Norwegian, and other Allied navies. The objectives of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division on D-Day were to cut the Caen-Bayeux road, seize the Carpiquet airport west of Caen, and form a link between the two British beaches on either flank.

Wikipedia: Juno Beach

German

Canadian

Game Type: Breakthrough

Board Type: Beach

Website Access: Available