D-Day hour by hour

JUNO Beach on D-Day

First Allied troops to land: 3rd Canadian Division, led by 7th and 8th Brigades, and 6th Armoured Regiment.

The beach was fronted by small villages.

Objectives: To advance inland and join up with British beaches (GOLD and SWORD) on either side.

07.56 - 7th and 8th Brigades land. The assault is hindered by the current. The delay before landing means that the Germans partially recover.

08.11 - DD (swimming) tanks and “funnies” (specialised tanks) land slightly late due to bad weather. The Canadians face strong opposition.

08.30 - No.48 Royal Marine Commando lands at St Aubin, and heads east. Little beach clearance takes place due to high tides and rough seas. The beaches are congested and under heavy fire.

09.30 onwards – 8th Brigade takes Bernières. Heavy enemy gunfire in progress.

10.40 – Five beach exits have now been cleared.

11.12 – After heavy fighting, 7th Brigade secures the beach exit at Courseulles. The arrival of 9th Brigade causes further congestion.

11.20 – Tailleville, Banville and Ste Croix are captured.

12.00 – Further landings. Langrune is captured.

14.00 onwards – The whole of Canadian 3rd Division is now ashore. Rapid advances inland: troops join with GOLD Beach, to the west.

18.00 – Canadian 9th Brigade reaches Bény.

20.00 – Troops advance to Villons les Buissons, seven miles inland.

By midnight, 21,400 troops had been landed on JUNO Beach, suffering under 1,000 casualties. The original aim of capturing Carpiquet airfield was not achieved. No link-up had yet been made with SWORD beach to the east.