​​Cosy’s Pillbox, situated on Juno Beach, played a pivotal role during the intense fighting on D-Day, 6 June 1944. This bunker witnessed a courageous and costly battle as part of the larger invasion of Normandy. It is named after Lieutenant Bill ‘Cosy’ Aitken of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, part of the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Aitken was tasked with leading a platoon of fifteen men from B Company to capture the pillbox. They initially attacked with machine guns and grenades, successfully taking the position, but Lieutenant Aitken was critically wounded during the assault.

​Reinforcements soon arrived, including engineers, who played a crucial role in clearing the fortification. These reinforcements, around 150 strong, continued the attack. A well-placed explosion eventually toppled the pillbox, and the German defenders surrendered, though at a high cost. Only 26 men from the B Company survived this difficult battle.

​The pillbox itself housed a 7.5cm gun, positioned to fire westward down the beach. It was part of a broader network of German fortifications known as ‘Widerstandsnest 31’ (Resistance Nest 31), designed to prevent the Allied landings.

​Cosy’s Pillbox became a symbol of the determined and courageous efforts of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, who faced intense machine-gun fire and artillery as they assaulted the beach. Many soldiers, like Corporal Walter Klos and Lance Corporal Leslie Coull, lead assaults despite their wounds. After the capture of the pillbox, the soldiers continued their advance inland, clearing positions and enduring tremendous loss. B Company led by Captain Gower suffered 78% casualties during the assault that day.