Holding Juno: Canada's Heroic Defence of the D-Day Beaches: June 7-12, 1944

Canadian Battle #5

by Mark Zuehlke

Following his national best-seller, Juno Beach, and with his usual verve and narrative skill, historian Mark Zuehlke chronicles the crucial six days when Canadians saved the vulnerable beachheads they had won during the D-Day landings. D-Day ended with the Canadians six miles inland — the deepest penetration achieved by Allied forces during this longest day in history. But for all the horror endured on June 6 every soldier knew the worst was yet to come. The Germans began probing the Canadian lines early in the morning of June 7 and shortly after dawn counter attacked in force. The ensuing six days of battle was to prove bloodier than D-Day itself. Although battered and bloody, the Canadians had held their ground and made it possible for the slow advance toward Germany and eventual Allied victory to begin.

Holding Juno recreates this pivotal battle through the eyes of the soldiers who fought it, with the same dramatic intensity and factual detail that made Juno Beach, in the words of Quill & Quire reviewer Michael Clark, “the defining popular history of Canada’s D-Day battle.”

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, World War II, France, Canada, Military History

464 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2005

About the author

On January 1, 1981, Mark Zuehlke walked away from a journalism career to pursue magazine and book writing fulltime. He has never looked back. In 1992, Mark published his first book—Magazine Writing From the Boonies (co-authored with Louise Donnelly)—and now concentrates almost exclusively on writing of books.

Fascinated by Canada’s military heritage, Mark first set to writing about the role Canadians played in World War II after discussing the Battle of Ortona with several veterans in a Royal Canadian Legion following a Remembrance Day Ceremony in Kelowna, B.C. Discovering no book had been written on this pivotal battle, Mark decided to fill that gap. Ortona: Canada’s Epic World War II Battle was the result. The book’s success encouraged him to develop The Canadian Battle Series, which documents the Canadian World War II experience and has resulted in his being declared by Jack Granatstein as the nation’s leading popular military historian.

Mark is also an award winning mystery writer, whose popular Elias McCann series has garnered much critical praise. Set in storm-swept west coast Vancouver Island village of Tofino, the series follows the investigations of reluctant community coroner Elias McCann. Hands Like Clouds, the debut title in this series, won the Crime Writers of Canada’s Arthur Ellis Award for the 2000 Best First Novel and the third instalment, Sweep Lotus, was nominated for the 2004 Arthur Ellis Best Novel.

When not writing, this Victoria, British Columbia resident can often be found tinkering around the Fernwood heritage house he shares with partner and fellow writer Frances Backhouse. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, cycling, kayaking, travelling, and cooking.

Reviews

[Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buy.

Terrific, gruesome, fascinating, horrible. This is all the things that make up war and a must read for Canadians. Written for those fluent with the genre and military nomenclature.

[LibraryCin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This is Zuehlke’s second book covering D-Day. focusing on Canadian troops at Juno Beach. The first book focused on that exact day. This one continues with the days following, from June 7-12, 1944.

I liked the first one. I’m not sure if the style was any different (it’s been 3 years since I read it), if I just wasn’t in the mood as much, this time (though I purposely read it over Remembrance Day), or what, but it just didn’t draw me in this time. Some parts did, particularly the 12th SS German group who just went ahead and murdered many POWs – horrifying, but it’s one story of it that sure got my attention! I believe there is supposed to be a third book that also continues this, but I’m not sure of the title. I might still give it a try, I’m not sure. I will likely try a fictional book that he has written, though – a mystery set on Vancouver Island.

[Davina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed all his work, so far, this one included. I like to refer to the author as the Canadian, Stephen Ambrose, as he has that same style of trying to tell the larger story of the conflict, as much as he can, through the eyes of the common soldier. I read this via audible.com, so I haven't seen the printed book, and I think a printed Order of Battle could be useful. I've been studying the Order of Battle, so for me, once he mentioned the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, I knew they were the Machine Gun Battalion for the 3rd Infantry Division, and the author does a good job of introducing all the different regiments as they appear in the narrative, but being more familiar could be a helpful aid when reading this book.

[Bernie Charbonneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a 5 star read for any Canadian military history buff looking for a series of books dealing with the 3rd Canadian Division in Normandy. This being the second volume of the trilogy, expands on the division establishing a beachhead at Juno. This was delivered to the reader in an informative writing that was accurate and detailed. This series of the D-Day landings by Canadian troops is a must read to get a clear understanding of thought and movement by the people in charge. Just some insight; this volume consists of D-Day - D+6, June 12 1944, over 400 pages! Enjoy.

[Jeff O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and entertaining book. Canadians should read this book.

Very informative read of the days after D-day. Makes one proud to be a Canadian citizen to read of the sacrifice.

[Andy C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of a great series my Zuehlke on Canadians on Normandy.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of 3 of Zuehlke's D-Day/Normandy Canadian saga. As always, meticulous research. Also, as always, stories of incredible courage by Canadian soldiers, and some murderously stupid decisions from above. In this portion of history, there are also a number of outright murders of Canadian prisoners committed by the young fanatics of 12 SS "Hitlerjugend" division and its officers who were acclimatized by fighting on the eastern front. These post-D-Day battles were fierce, but somewhat forgotten. Some good accounts of associated RCAF and RCN efforts included.

[Michael Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great account of of the days following the D-day landing for the Canadian Division.

[Philippe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ordinary men and women who did the seemingly impossible. Excellent account of our troops in action. Does not pull any punches.

[Don Thompson]

This is book 2 of the D-Day and Juno Beach and the Canadians who fought and died there.