Personnel of the Regina Rifle Regiment aboard a landing craft en route to NAN GREEN Beach, Courseulles-sur-Mer, France, 6 June 1944. Image 4558334, LAC.
Unidentified Canadian soldiers landing on Juno Beach, Courseulles-sur-Mer, France, 6 June 1944. Image 3205311, LAC.
Regina Rifles on D Day. Bill Grayson captured 35 German Prisoners of War at this bunker and received the Military Cross.
Three "D-Day originals" of the Regina Rifle Regiment. Credit: Lieut. Donald I. Grant / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-205104
A three-inch (7.62 cm) mortar crew of Support Company, The Regina Rifle Regiment, Bretteville-l'Orgueilleuse, France, ca. 9 June 1944. Credit: Lieut. Donald I. Grant / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-128794.
Anti-tank gunners of The Regina Rifle Regiment who knocked out a German PzKpfW V Panther tank thirty yards from Battalion Headquarters, Bretteville-l'Orgeuilleuse, France, 8 June 1944. Credit: Lieut. Donald I. Grant / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-116529.
Operation Calvados
About
When Allied Forces landed on the Beaches of Normandy, France on 6 June 1944, the Second World War had been raging for nearly five years. The Allies were desperate to liberate Europe from Nazi Occupation and defeat the Axis Powers. After significant collaboration and planning, an invasion in France was deemed possible, and on “D-Day,” the Allies launched the largest air and seaborne invasion in history, The men who landed on the beaches of Normandy, France that day opened the way for the liberation of Europe.
Canadian troops landed on Juno Beach, in front of the town of Courseulles-Sur-Mer. The Regina Rifles were one of four Infantry Regiments chosen to storm the beach in the first wave. Nicknamed the “Farmer Johns,” these Indigenous peoples, farmers, and young men from cities across the province volunteered for active duty to defeat Hitler and return the world to peace.
Regina Rifles are briefed with a sketch of their objective, Courseulles-Sur-Mer, Image 4558334, LAC.
Juno Beach Landings. Credit: Lt Richard Graham Arless / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-182953
Four companies of the Regina Rifles landed on Juno Beach that morning. The beaches were heavily guarded by German fortifications. Stormy weather dragged men, weighed down by 75 pounds of equipment, under the ocean’s surface. Machine guns fired across the open stretches of beach onto groups of advancing men. A and D company were pinned down by fortifications in front of Courseulles-Sur-Mer and of the 120 men in D Company, only 49 men made it to shore. Within thirty minutes after landing, A Company had only 28 of their 120 men. B and C Company landed where there was less fire. C Company swept into Courseulles-Sur-Mer and liberated it. The men pushed on and made it further inland on that first day of fighting than any of the other Canadian, American or British troops.
Juno Beach, 1944. Image PMR92-481, DND
However, the price of victory was steep. The Regina Rifles from the Prairies of Saskatchewan experienced 108 casualties on that first day. They would go on to receive 36 individual medals of bravery and commendation while suffering 458 fatal casualties in 11 months of fighting from June 1944 to May 1945.
While only 79 years has passed since this incredible, awful day, the importance of what the Regina Rifles did on Juno Beach is quickly being forgotten. There are very few left who understand the significance of D-Day, or the role men from across Saskatchewan played in the “beginning of the end” of the Second World War.
Rifleman Joe Edwardson 1944 D-Day Veteran.
With the support of citizens of Saskatchewan and the townspeople of Courseulles-Sur-Mer, it is the Royal Regina Rifle Trust Fund’s intention to honour and perpetuate the memories, events, and legacy of those Rifles who sacrificed so much for our freedom.
The Regina Rifles Regiment will be honoured on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in three main ways:
Memorial on Juno Beach
To commemorate the 80th anniversary, an 8ft tall bronze statue will be created that embodies the trials and triumph of war. The statue will be sculpted by world-renowned sculptor, Don Begg at Studio West Bronze Foundry & Art Gallery. Upon completion it will be transported across Canada and flown to Normandy, France. The statue will be ceremoniously unveiled on June 5, 2024 at the Place des Canadiens in Bretteville l'Orgueilleuse, where it will remain for future generations to appreciate.
2. Tour of Honour
A group of active and retired Royal Regina Rifle servicemen and women will accompany the statue to Normandy, participate in the unveiling, and continue on a 10 day battlefield tour, stopping at significant places in France, Holland, and Belgium where Regina Rifles fought in both World Wars. The purpose of this is to share stories, lessons, and an understanding of how the brave acts of the Canadian Armed Forces are still being appreciated today by communities across France and the rest of Europe.
3. Legacy
Communities from across Saskatchewan are participating in the legacy of the unveiling of a memorial in Bretteville l'Orgueilleuse in recognition of the Regina Rifles. By forming community partnerships with University students, residents, businesses, youth, filmmakers, and reporters, we can ensure that these stories are not forgotten.
Planning Committee:
Brigadier-General (Retired) Cliff Walker SOM, CD (Trustee)
Colonel (Retired) Randy Brooks CD (Trustee)
Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Ed Staniowski OMM, CD. (Trustee)
Lieutenant-Colonel Gillian Parker MSM, CD (RCAF)
Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Robert Parent CD (Military Historian)
Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Colin King CD. (Trustee)
Captain (Retired) Rob Knibbs CD (Trustee)
Corporal Jim Sinclair CD
Curtis Kleisinger Executive Director Mother Teresa Middle School (Trustee)
Kelsey Lonie (B.Ed, M.A.) Military Historian
Mr. Donnie MacKay (Community Outreach)
