The 12th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery supported 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade’s landings on Juno Beach. The regiment was commanded by Lt.-Col R.H. Webb.
The regiment was made up of a Regimental Headquarters, 11th Field Battery, 16th Field Battery, and 43rd Field Battery.
The regiment first supported the landings by firing their 105 mm self-propelled guns, nicknamed Priests due to their pulpit-like machine gun rings, on the way to the beach from landing craft. Each gun fired 120 rounds as they targeted the German strongpoint immediately west of the Seulles River on Mike Red Sector. This fire was ineffective as the German defensive positions remained active as the first troops came ashore.
Members of the regiment landed with the infantry battalions so they could scout the locations where the regiment was to set up their guns. Some of these gunners were killed or wounded as they came ashore on the beach and moved inland. The rest of the regiment came ashore at about 0900 Hours.
Due to the congestion on Mike Red Sector, the regiment took a firing position on the beach itself, “In many cases engaging the enemy over open sights.” After the beach exits were cleared of obstacles, the gunners moved inland to support the infantry’s advance. At 1700 Hours the regiment had set up at its assigned position, codenamed “MARY” between Banville and Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer. They halted there for the evening and waited to support the attacks inland. The 12th Field Regiment suffered 1 killed and 7 wounded on D-Day. The regiment landed 459 gunners that day.
Roll of Honour
COBURN GORDON ROSS
DOBBS JOSEPH DAVID
Research and writing by Brad St.Croix, PhD