Storming Juno

[M38CDNBill]

Hello All,

Just few words to talk about the documentary STORMING JUNO will appear next november 11th on History Television. It's a 90 minutes docu-drama based on the true stories and events that took place on D-Day, June 6, 1944 at the Juno Beach, where Canadian troops stormed ashore to join in the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe.

This important historical event will be told through the eyes of three young Canadians, paratrooper Cpl. Dan Hartigan, who dropped behind enemy lines the night before the invasion, Lt. Bill Grayson of the Regina Rifles as he and his men fought their way off the beach, and Sgt. Leo Gariepy, who commanded the only one of 19 tanks to complete its mission as the invasion of Normandy began. To learn more about this docu-drama, click on this website link: http://www.stormingjuno.com/ Short scenes that appear in the trailer of this website are truly realistic.

Cheers

Guy

[Jon Skagfeld]

...truly realistic, except for the post-war Sherman.

[Stuart Kirkham]

Great looking documenary.

One question though...What type of twin engined aircraft are the Canadians parachuting from?

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Jon Skagfeld

...truly realistic, except for the post-war Sherman.

Actually, that was Don Smith's (now Terry Edward's) Sherman. It's an M4A2E8 manufactured in August 1945, so technically not post-war although they weren't used in Normandy. Having said that, there aren't any running M4A4s in Canada, so you have to make do with what you've got.

G.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Tommy K

Great looking documenary.

One question though...What type of twin engined aircraft are the Canadians parachuting from?

Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle. On of the few British WW2 aircraft that had a tricycle landing gear.

http://www.historyofaircargo.com/i-A...June-1944.html

[Stuart Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle. On of the few British WW2 aircraft that had a tricycle landing gear.

http://www.historyofaircargo.com/i-A...June-1944.html

Thanks Bruce

Looking closely at the photo of the Albermarle, you could swear the British simply plucked a heap of 'spare parts' off the shelf and bolted them together to produce this aircraft.

I can see Blenheim nose similarities, Wellington engines/wing similarities, Boltimore centre fuselage similarities and Hudson tail similarities.

The Albemarle was blooded by No.296 and 297 Squadrons RAF (part of No.38 Wing) operating from North Africa, in the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. On D-Day (6 June 1944) six of No.295 Squadron's Albemarle aircraft. Operating from Harwell, served as pathfinders for the 6th Airborne Division's paratrooper drop over Normandy. In addition four squadrons of the type acted as glider tugs. In September 1944 two Squadrons of Albemarles towed gliders carrying troops of the 1st Airborne Division as a part of the Arnhem operation.

[Perry Kitson]

I can't speak for other Canadian armoured regiments that landed at Juno, but I do know that the 1st Hussars did come ashore with M4A2's(75mm, VVSS) and their DD's were M4A4's. All the M4A2E8's that Canada had were aquired from the Americans in 1948.

[Alex van de Wetering]

I haven't seen the documentary, but I stumbled upon the website www.stormingjuno.com yesterday. Allthough a few years old now, the site is well worth a visit. The eye witness accounts are certainly worth watching, not only from service personnel, but also of civilians caught in the middle of the battle.

Alex