D-Day: Images of War

A selection of photographs from Library and Archives Canada that capture the moments before, during, and after the D-Day mission during the Second World War.

Text by Nelle Oosterom

 — Posted May 28, 2014

On June 6, 1944, a massive fleet set forth from England for the Normandy coast of France. Aboard the ships were thousands of Allied soldiers who were about to take part in the D-Day assault on five German held beaches. The Canadians were tasked with taking Juno beach, a stretch of coastline that included the village of Courseulles-sur-Mer.

Thankfully, the D-Day invasion was a success, and it provided the Allies a toehold from which to push forward toward Germany.

View the photos from Library and Archives Canada for a glimpse into the moments before, during, and after the D-Day mission.

  • This image shows two men in uniforms sitting at a large table.
    Canadian soldiers study a German plan of the beach during the D-Day landing operations.
    Lieutenant Ken Bell. Canada. Department of National Defence. LAC, PA-131438.
  • This image shows to men sitting, both looking to the right.
    Lt. John MacIsaac (left), Royal Canadian Artillery, discusses D-Day fire plan tactics with Bombardier Charles Zerowel aboard a landing ship tank, in Southampton, June 4, 1944.
    Lieutenant Frank L. Dubervill. Canada. Department of National Defence. LAC, PA-190936.
  • This image shows camouflaged battleships
    Camouflage netting hides the large D-day invasion fleet anchored in England, June 4, 1944.
    Lieutenant Frank L. Dubervill. Canada. Department of National Defence. LAC, PA-137130.
  • This image shows five ships nearby on open water.
    Landing Craft Assault (LCAs) going ashore from H.M.C.S. Prince Henry during a D-Day training exercise somewhere off the south coast of England circa May 1944.
    Lieutenant Frank L. Dubervill. Canada. Department of National Defence. LAC, PA-135889.
  • This image shows uniformed soldiers walking from a ship onto a beach through the water.
    Members of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade come ashore at Nan White Beach during the D-day assault on June 6, 1944.
    Gilbert Alexander Milne. Canada. Department of National Defence. LAC, PA-137013.
  • Wounded Canadian soldiers at Courseulles-sur-Mer await transfer to a Casualty Clearing Station of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (R.C.A.M.C.) on June 6, 1944.
    Lieutenant Frank L. Dubervill. Canada. Department of National Defence. LAC, PA-132384.
  • This image shows people in uniforms marching, there are other people standing in groups.
    German prisoners captured during the D-Day assault are marched along a beach prior to embarking for England circa July 5, 1944.
    Lieutenant Ken Bell. Canada. Department of National Defence. LAC, PA-132474.
  • Rifleman R.A. Marshall of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada points out a hole in his helmet made by a German sniper’s bullet. Near Bretteville-Orgueilleuse, France, June 20, 1944.
    Lieutenant Frank L. Dubervill. Canada. Department of National Defence. LAC, PA-190906.
  • This image shows three smiling women in uniforms.
    The first nursing sisters of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps to land in France after D-Day, July 17, 1944.
    Lieutenant Frank L. Dubervill. Canada. Department of National Defence. LAC, PA-204952.
  • This image shows a man playing the bagpipes and many other men gathered around him.
    Lieutenant Leslie Herbert Browne of the Royal Canadian Engineers plays his David Glen bagpipes aboard a ship en route to France on D-Day, 6 June 1944.
    Lieutenant Donald I. Grant. Lieut. Donald I. Grant. Canada. Department of National Defence. LAC, PA-163778.
  • This image shows two men dressed as German soliders.
    Signalman Owen Dolan (left) and Leading Seaman Chuck Roman, dressed as German soldiers, celebrate the news of D-Day aboard H.M.C.S. Prince David, June 9, 1944.
    PO Donovan J. Thorndick. Canada. Department of National Defence. LAC, PA-184993.

For more photos from Library and Archives Canada, be sure to check them out on Flickr.

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