D-Day Landings: Juno Beach

Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, began on the morning of June 6, 1944. Canadian forces landed on a 10-kilometre stretch of coastline codenamed Juno Beach and, along with American and British forces on nearby beaches, began their heroic mission to liberate France from Nazi Germany.

Juno Beach, Normandy

The Juno Beach Centre,  Canada's Second World War museum and cultural centre, opened in 2003 to pay homage to the 45,000 Canadians who lost their lives in the war, including the 5,500 lost during the Battle of Normandy.

Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy

My visit to the Juno Beach Centre took place two days before the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings and Battle of Normandy. Security in the region was high and preparations were well underway for the official ceremony to be attended by Canadian war veterans, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.

Preparations for the Official Canadian Ceremony

French Police

Memorial Kiosks

Canadian Flag During WW II

World War II Poster

German Bunker Entrance

German Bunker

Although much of the park was closed to visitors due to security concerns, I was able to walk the sands of this now peaceful beach where so many brave Canadians lost their lives and contributed to the end of the war in Europe.

Today French and Canadian flags fly side by side, keeping watch over historic Juno Beach.

Juno Beach, Normandy

French and Canadian Flags

For more information, visit the Juno Beach Centre website.

Next:  Omaha Beach

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D-Day Landings: Pegasus Bridge