June 6, 1944 known as D-Day, it began with allied landing on the coast of Normandy. The Germans set up their fortresses along the coastline with guns, barbwire, obstacles and mines. Canada was given a major role in D-Day to take one of the five designated beaches where allied forces were to land to begin the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany. The Americans had Utah and Omaha beaches in the west, the British at gold, then the Canadians at Juno beach and the British at sword on the east. The greatest seaborne invasion in history was aimed around Normandy coast and Canada’s objective was right in the middle. There were estimated to be 155000 soldiers, 5000 ships, 50000 vehicles and 11000 planes ready for the battle. The Canadians captured all their objectives with 14000 soldiers on Juno beach that day. The Canadians responsibly was Juno beach which was in the center of the British front. The beach was 5 miles wide, the coastline of the beach was fortified by occupying Germans. They had to push through the mine fields between Bayeux and Caen and then penetrate to Carpiquet airfield which was 11 miles inland. The parachute battalion’s objective was to cut the bridges on the dives and Divette Rivers in Varaville and Robehomme. They took a strategic position at a crossroad in le Mesnil and they had to protext the left flank of the 9th parachute battalion as it attacked the German artillery in Merville. Canada did a spectacular job and achieved all their goals and by the end of the third day the Canadian division was established on its intermediate objectives. Canada progressed further inland than any of the other allies. The Canadians managed to break through the Atlantic wall and destroyed the first line of the German defences. Eleven more months ahead and in June the Canadians would fight and overcome the killing machine of the 12th ss. Canada held their positions against the Germans attacks and Canada was in control. They would fight a costly battle for Carpiquet on July 4th before finally taking Caen on July 9th.