The North Nova Scotia Highlanders, an infantry battalion, landed on Juno Beach as part of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, which was the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division’s reserve brigade on D-Day. The battalion was commanded by Lt.-Col. C. Petch.
The North Novas landed on Juno Beach at “Nan White” at Bernières-sur-Mer at 1140 Hours. Much like the other two infantry battalions of the 9th Infantry Brigade, they became stuck in the town. By 1605 Hours, the battalion began to move toward their assembly area near Beny-sur-Mer.
By 1644 Hours, the North Novas arrived at Beny. Upon arrival, the battalion took German mortar fire which caused several casualties. They re-organized and moved south toward their next objectives with the tanks of the 27th Armoured Regiment (The Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment).
The vanguard of the advance first met resistance near Villons-les-Buissons. “A” Company was involved in a short fire fight at Colomby-sur-Thaon that slowed their advance. As dark began to set in, it became apparent the battalion would not reach their D-Day objective of Carpiquet that day. They were ordered to dig in and did so around Anisy-les-Buissons for the night. This was done to establish a firm base for further advances. The attack would continue the next day.
The battalion suffered 4 killed and 6 wounded on D-Day. They landed 757 troops on Juno Beach on June 6th, 1944.
Roll of Honour
BISHOP LLOYD ELMER
CUTHBERTSON JOSEPH EARL
RAYMOND GLENDON DWIGHT
TUTTLE RALPH BURTON
Research and writing by Brad St.Croix, PhD