The Landing Beaches, Normandy 1944

Canadian troops land on Bernières-sur-Mer beach in the Juno sector, 6 June 1944. © Library and Archives Canada / Région Normandie

Every year, millions of visitors come to the landing beaches to contemplate the traces left by the largest amphibious and airborne operation of all time. Transformed by the landings of June 1944, this coastal landscape today appears at peace. However, its conservation and recognition remain a key issue.

Canada in World War II

Canadian infantry landing at Juno Beach and marching toward Bernières-sur-Mer, 6 June 1944.

L'infanterie canadienne débarque sur la plage de Juno Beach et marche en direction de Bernières-sur-Mer, le 6 juin 1944. Source Archives Nationales du Canada.

On 7 September 1939, the Canadian Parliament met in a special session and two days later gave its support to Great Britain and France, which had been at war with Germany since 3 September.

Arromanches harbour

Aerial view of Mulberry artificial harbour at Arromanches, September 1944. Source: Imperial War Museum

Operation Jubilee, Dieppe – 19 August 1942

The port of Dieppe and the cliffs seen from beach at Puys, 2002. Source: Private collection

With the German attack on the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, the Japanese aggression on the American base at Pearl Harbor the following 7 December and the United States' subsequent entry into the war, the conflict became a World War.

Operation Overlord

The Canadian infantry lands on Juno Beach and marches to Bernières-sur-Mer on 6 June 1944. Source: Canadian National Archives.

This was the code name for the Battle of Normandy.

Provence août 1944

Le général de Lattre, le général de Larminat et des officiers d'état-major sur le bateau qui les amène en France. Source : SHD

Operation Anvil-Dragoon in detail

Map of the landing in Provence. Photo DMPA

Operation ”Anvil-Dragoon” (code name for the landing in Provence) D Day: 15 August 1944

D Day in Normandy

Omaha Beach, on the afternoon of the 6th June. The landing of allied troops on the beach. Source: SHD