D-Day, June 6, 1944, was the beginning of the Allied invasion of Northwest Europe in World War II. After nearly a year of training and the collection of supplies, ships and troops in southern England, army, naval and air forces of Britain, Canada and the United States set out to invade the heavily fortified and defended coast of Normandy.
Five beaches were targeted for landings: on the west, the Americans were assigned to Omaha and Utah beaches; in the centre, the British were to take Gold beach and the Canadians Juno Beach; and on the east, the British had Sword beach as a target.
By the end of D-Day, most intermediate objectives were met and the Allies were back in Europe.
Approximately 14,000 Canadians landed in Normandy on D-Day, about 450 jumped by parachute or landed by glider, and around 10,000 sailors of the RCN participated. Estimates vary, but there were over 1000 Canadian casualties, with more than 400 killed.
- Landing Craft Training for D-DayCanadian Landing Craft Training for D-Day
- Preparation of Invasion Fleet for D-DayPreparation of Invasion Fleet for D-Day
- Canadian Soldier Fuses Hand Grenades for D-DayFusing Hand Grenades for D-Day
- Canadian Soldier Counts Shells for D-DayCanadian Soldier Counts Shells for D-Day
- Canadian Soldiers Discuss D-Day TacticsCanadian Soldiers Discuss D-Day Tactics
- Canadians Study German Plan of Beach for D-DayCanadians Study German D-Day Plan of Beach
- Canadian Paratroopers Ready for D-DayCanadian Paratroopers Ready for D-Day
- Sunday Divisions on HMCS Prince David Before D-DaySunday Divisions on HMCS Prince David Just Before D-Day
- Sherman Tank of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers RegimentBomb, a Sherman Tank of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment
- Highland Light Infantry of Canada en Route on D-DayHighland Light Infantry of Canada en Route on D-Day
- Invasion Craft en Route on D-DayInvasion Craft on Way to France on D-Day
- Canadian Infantrymen Cook a Meal on D-DayCanadian Infantrymen Cook a Meal on D-Day
- Graphic Index
- Text Index