Gold, Juno and Sword Beaches

Introduction

Gold, Juno and Sword Beaches were the code names given to the British Landing Sector and attacked by troops of British, Canadian and French nationalities. Part of the tour is a long and leisurely drive from Arromanches to Ouistreham keeping as close to the coast as possible. Prior to 1944 this area of Normandy was a pleasant and quiet area of sea-side resort towns and villages, albeit scattered with German defensive positions. Today the towns and villages have been rebuilt and expanded with many monuments evident, but key areas of attack still remain particularly The Hillman Bunker complex and Pegasus Bridge just to name two.

This DD tank from "A" squadron of the 1st Hussars Regiment was commanded by Lt. Duncan and sank before it reached the shore on D-Day. Léo Gariépy remembered seeing it sink and sadly, one of the crew did not survive.

After moving to Coureulles in 1967, Léo set about having the amphibious tank recovered from the ocean floor to be placed in Courseulles town square as a memorial to the 1st Hussars Regiment and, eventually, all the Canadian units that landed on D-Day at Juno Beach. This became Léo's project and took much time and effort.

The tank was finally recovered in December 1970 by a local company with the help of the Canadian Army. It was restored and inaugurated in June 1971 thanks to the financial contributions of many Canadian Regiments, some locals and the town of Coureulles. Today it is stubbed with rememberance plaques.

Léo Gariépy passed away in the fall of 1972 due to a heart attack and is buried in the local cemetery.

Photo Gallery

Private Transfer from London by Air

Short on timer or prefer to fly?

D-Day Airtours will take you on an insightful one-day tour by air of the landing beaches and other D-Day sites. Pick up from Central London (or other areas by arrangement) in the morning, flying to Carpiquet airport, Caen from Oxford, and return by mid-evening of the same day.

Alternatively, for an even shorter visit, take a flying tour over the area with guided commentary.

Either way your tour is delivered by a professional English guide experienced and knowledgeable in the D-Day landings.

Whether you are from America, Canada or Britain you will be provided with detailed information about your country's role in the landings.

Please feel free to contact us for more detailed information - click to contact us.

If you are looking for a longer, much more in-depth trip by car and on foot, then please see our alternate site offering this at www.d-dayairtours.com.