These were the landing beaches of the 7th Canadian Brigade Group at 08.00 hours. Despite the resistence the landings were going very well. An important factor here was the unloading of the DD tanks, just 800 meters from shore. In 1970 the DD Sherman tank , now a memorial at Courseulles, was salvaged from the coastel waters.

Bernières

This point was the object for the Queens Own Rifles of Canada of the 8th Canadian Brigade Group. This was the place were the most Canadian casualties fell. From their concrete bunkers the Germans had a free shooting range. The landing was here at 08.15 hours without any tank support and just 200 meters east of a 'Widerstandnester'. The first wave Canadians lost half of their men. Thanks to a gunboat that almost beached itself the Germans were silenced.

When the next wave 10 minutes later arrived, Regiment de La Chaudière, there were only German snipers active. The local people of Bernières were surprised that the 'Tommy's' were speaking French! It was a French speaking Canadian regiment. One stubborn bunker was attacked by a bulldozer from 'behind' and just filled up with sand. Near 'the first liberated house' stands a monument as a remembrance to the first landing here by the Canadians. Further to the east, at 250 meters, is a bunker with more (eroded) memorial plaques.

LUC-SUR-MER/PETIT ENFER

This is the border between JUNO and SWORD Beach. This was the 'hole' where in the evening of the 6th June a small unit of the 21st Panzer (Hitler Jugend) took a defensive position. The Allied troops encircled that night the German unit and the next day it was put out of action with help of some reinforcements of the 46th RM (Royal Marines) Commando at 09.00 hours in the morning of the 7th.

DOUVRES RADAR STATION: 6 until 17 JUNE, 1944

The Wurzburg radar station from Douvres lies in the hole between SWORD and JUNO, inbetween the places Douvres-La-Deliverande and the west Basley en Bény-sur-Mer. Here is a little museum and has as most important object a Wurtzburg radar. This place was defended by 200 men of the Luftwaffe. It was the object of the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment to take this radar post. In the early morning of June 7th at 07.00 hours the attack started. De defence was fierce. At the end of the afternoon the North Shore were retrieved and the 5th Battalion Black Watch (51st Highland Division) was given the order to attack but they were also thrown back. General Dempsey, commander of the 2nd British Army gave the order to try to put out the radar post with al the power that was available. The Germans could see all the movements the British army were making and report this to the German Army. The 51st Highland Division were again in action the next day, this time with the 80th Assault Squadron RE, again without success. On June 11 the 48th RM Commando tried to take the radar post. But the attack went no where and was cancelled. The final attack came on 17 June with the help of the 22nd Dragoon, 41st RM Commando and the 26th Assault Squadron RE. With the assistance of four mine sweeping tanks and twelve AVRE's to shoot mortars into the bunkers the complex was finally taken. With eight tanks lost and 'only' twelve casualties on British site, eleven days of struggle came at last to an end.

LA BRECHE D'HERMANVILLE, SECTOR ' SWORD' , 07.25

This is the middle of 'Sword' called 'Queen'. Thanks to the 21 DD tanks that made it to shore (2 got lost) and the 'Funnies' the landing of the troops went pretty good. Around 08.20 hours No 4 en No 6 Commando landed under Bill Millin's bagpipe sound (Highland Laddie). There were German minefields , but thanks to the 'Deutsche Gründlichkeit' these were nicely marked! During the landing there was a terrible drama when German fire hit the debarking commando's. There were shouts for medics but these were not heard in the noise of explosions and chaos. A CRAB tank drove with rotating mine sweepers from the landingcraft. The driver did not noticed the wounded and dying men and swept through the helpless men. At least twelve men were smashed to pulp. As a monument you'll find here a Churchill AVRE tank. Lord Lovat's No 6 Commando moved fast inland to relief the para's at Pegasus Bridge (see 'Pegasus Bridge') . Lord Lovat's Brigade brought some confusing to the French people. There badges on there uniforms were the letters 'SS' of the 'Special Service'. This was later changed.

OUISTREHAM

The casino that played an important roll in 'The Longest Day' is not at the spot were you it would expect to be. There is a monument on the coast boulevard, 200 meters west of the present-day casino. The monument is placed atop of a German bunker 'cupola' to remember the Free French Commando's that attacked the casino. In Ouistreham there is little to find that reminds us of the harsh battle that was fought here. But one thing that is well worth the visit is Musée Le Grand Bunker. This enormous fire control bunker had the duty to lead the gun battery's around the harbour of Ouistreham. Only on 9 June the tower was taken under the leadership of lieutenant Bob Orell of the Royal Engineers. With three men he attacked the heavy doors with explosives. This took five hours to complete. All the while they were hampered with machinegun fire and hand grenades that were thrown from the tower. Once inside, the garrison of 50 men surrendered and that was the last stand of the Germans in Ouistreham. The 17 meters high building is once again displayed as it was in June 1944. On the four floors you'll see places were the men had their bunks, first aid station and fresh air pumps. At the top you have a great view. A small note in a display reads "SIE KOMMEN!" and that they had observed thousands of ships. Beside the tower are some vehicles and a V1 rocket

Ouistreham, Kieffers Commandos Monument, right: the fire control and observation tower

For the next tour you may click 'HERE' . This page brings you to Bayeux and the north vicinity. You will visit the 'Battle of Normandy Museum' of Bayeux and a visit to the museum near Port-en-Bessin were many heavy items are displayed that were salvaged from the sea. And then further to the Battery of Longues.

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