OTTAWA — A short chronology of Canada’s participation in the 1944 D-Day invasion of Normandy:
May 1943: Allies make final decision to invade. Initial invasion date May 1, 1944, then June 4, 1944.
Summer of 1943: Canadians train for assault in Scotland and England.
June 1, 1944: Invasion ships begin loading along England’s south coast.
June 3: Soldiers aboard the ships. Some ships sail.
Dawn, June 4: Weather forecast of continuing low cloud, coastal fog and rain forces 24-hour delay in invasion. Vessels recalled.
Dawn, June 5: Decision to go ahead with invasion. Convoys sail for Normandy.
Evening, June 5: Invasion fleet approaches Normandy beaches.
11:30 p.m., June 5: Aerial attacks begin.
Midnight: Three airborne divisions drop on east and west flanks of invasion beaches. Includes 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion.
June 6 about 5 a.m.: Naval bombardment of beach defences begins.
5:30 a.m.: First Canadian assault vessels leave ships for shore.
6:30 a.m.: First Americans land at beaches.
7:25 a.m.: First British land.
About 7:45 a.m.: First Canadians land.
10:30 a.m.: First assault waves ashore.
Noon: Juno Beach secure.
12:45 p.m.: Maj. Rod Keller (Canadian commanding officer) goes ashore.
Advance continues until nightfall.
The Canadian Press
