A World War II historic guide to discover the D-Day Landing Beaches in Normandy

Travel Normandy guide François Gauthron offers tours of the Normandy landing beaches, World War II battlefield. Come and discover the most famous part of Normandy where took place the Landing and the battle of Normandy in June 1944 to liberate France and Europe. You will be escorted by a qualified bilingual guide who will show you round the major sites of the beaches. Visit the highlights of World War II sites in Normandy with an expert license guide, first the most important sites of the landing beaches.

Normandy Travel

Travel in Normandy with Francois Gauthron


Norrey-en-Bessin

Canadian Monument

On June 7th, at 05.00 am Matheson held his own Bn orders group in which he gave instructions for the advance to the Battalion's final objective, line «OAK», the high ground on the Caen-Bayeux road at Bretteville-l'Orgueilleuse.

At 06.30 am Battalion shook itself out for the advance to its final objective.

At 07.15 am the companies moved off, with A and C Coy's on the right, B and D Coy's on the left. C Coy advance by road through Camilly, Bray, and Bretteville to Norrey-en-Bessin. A Coy was to follow and occupy Bretteville. B Coy moved forward on the left through Thaon, Cairon, and Rots. D Coy was to follow and occupy the road, rail road, and river crossing south of Rots.

At 07.30 am, HQ Bn moved off. A and C Coy's moved into Bretteville-l'Orgueilleuse, which the Germans had hastily vacated and HQ Bn arrived there at noon. B and D Coy's came up by 02.00 pm after some heavy fighting. At Bretteville, the civilian population gave the troops a very friendly reception and the Battalion took up a defensive position around the village where things remained quiet during the afternoon.

The companies dug in to be ready for an expected counter-attack which could come either from the east, from Caen or from the left front from Carpiquet. With the occupation of Bretteville, the Regina Rifles became the first and only units of the invasion forces to reach and hold its final D-Day objective.

During the night of June 7th, C Coy, under Major Stu Tubb, at Norrey-en-Bessin, held the most advanced and precarious position of any of the Allied troops. The Bgde commander wanted the company withdrawn, but Matheson protested that he would just have to retake the position later. C Coy remained.

In the morning of June 8th, D Coy manoeuvred to the right flank to the northwest of Norrey, to Cardonville Farm, which was until then, occupied by some of the Winnipeg Rifles. This tactic was to tighten up the Battalion's defensive position and to fill in the gap between C Coy and the position of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. B Coy also moved to positions on the east side of Bretteville. Major Eric Syme took command of B Coy and Captain Gordon Brown took over D Coy.