- Details of your visit -

Saint Aubin sur Mer, Nan Red

We will start the Tour at Saint Aubin sur Mer onto Nan Red Sector and we will give you information about the German defences near a bunker in which a 50 mm calibre canon still guards the access of the village. This is where the North Shore Regiment and Duplex Drive tanks of the Fort Garry Horse landed.

Bernières sur Mer, Nan White

On Nan White, Bernières sur Mer, we will stop at the Cassine Bunker for more explanation and sites of interest like pillboxes, the seawall, the House of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, the rue du Régiment de la Chaudière and the House of the British and Canadian reporters. This sector saw the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada losing more than 100 men within few minutes. Tank crews of the Fort Garry Hoise suffered losses too…

Courseulles sur Mer, Nan Green

Courseulles sur Mer, Nan Green, is the spot where a DD tank lays as a tribute to Canadian tanks units which landed on D-Day. This Sherman tank spent some 27 years in the salted water as it sunk on D-Day and was recovered by the REME in 1971. Here the Regina Rifles Regiment and tanks of the first Hussars landed.

Mike

The next stop is near Cosy’s bunker which saw a fierce fighting and high Canadian and British casualties on D-Day. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles and the Canadian Scottish Regiment landed on Mike, suffering, high losses. Next to it, stands an AVRE Churchill tank used as a monument to pay tribute to the men of the 79th British Armoured Division which supported the Canadian on the 6th of June.

Canadian Cemetery, Juno

Stop to the Canadian Cemetery located a few miles inland behind Juno Beach. Here rest more than 2000 Canadian soldiers killed during the battle of Normandy.

Fontaine Henry

We will drive south toward the National Road 13, to the final D-Day objective. Stop in front of the Château to Fontaine Henry where the Canadian Headquarters were established after landing.

Breteville l’Orgueilleuse

In Bretteville l’Orgueilleuse you will learn about the 12th SS Hitler Jugend Division counter attack launched against the Canadians.

Cardonville

Cardonville farm held by “D” company, Regina Rifles Regiment, commanded by Captain Gordon Brown, is a “must see” of the Tour. This large tract of land is the place where Captain Brown and his men stopped the SS attacks for two days, suffering heavy casualties.

Norrey en Bessin

Norrey en Bessin saw the “C” Company, Regina Rifles, commanded by Major Stuart Tubb facing the Waffen SS “Hitler Youth Division”. Veterans have told us many details of things that you will learnabout in our Tours that have never printed in books.

Le Mesnil Patry

The Mesnil Patry, small village held by tanks and Infantry units of the 12th SS saw fierce fighting on June 11th. The Canadians of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and the fist Hussars didn’t take this place… Learn about the massacre.

Putôt en Bessin

Putôt en Bessin taken and lost by the Royal Winnipeg Rifles on June 8th saw hard fighting. A well known Canadian reporter, Marcel Ouimet, recorded the events.

Rots, Carpiquet

Rots, liberated by the Regiment de La Chaudières and the N°48 Royal Marines Commando, is a charming village along the route RN 13. Its strategic position made this village a strong position for Canadian units. From the southern outskirt, we still can see Carpiquet Airfield.
This airfield was supposed to be secured on D-Day by Canadian units of the 9th Brigade.
Operation Charnwood launched an attack on July 4th brought the five Canadian regiments launched into the battle through the heart of Caen. Carpiquet was one of the two keys for them entering the city.

Abbaye aux Hommes, Abbaye d’Ardennes

Now entering into Caen we will be following the road used by every Canadian units on July 9th. We will park the car in front of the main door of the Abbaye aux Hommes where thousands of civilians were taking shelter.
On the way back to Bayeux we will stop to the Abbaye d’Ardennes where 20 Canadian prisoners were shot by the 12th SS. A Canadian garden is there, paying the tribute to these men. If we are lucky enough we will meet Mr. Vico, a member of the French Resistance and former owner of the Abbaye.