​​​The airfield had been in the hands of German forces since the occupation in June 1940. Its capture and liberation was necessary for the Allies to support the liberation of Caen and advance towards the plain. The airfield itself was a fortified point that overlooked the western access of the city from a ridge line. However, due to the resistance of the 716th German Division, 21st Panzer Grenadier Regiments and that of the 12th SS Panzer Division from 7 June, the Canadian forces were prevented from achieving their objective.

​The German garrison composed of the 26th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment, 12th SS ‘Hitlerjugend’ Panzer Division. This also included tanks of the 12th SS. A week into the Normandy campaign a static front formed. The Canadian forces were at the gates of the airfield to the north and west. On 4 July 1944, Operation Windsor was launched. The objective was to break the dead lock and to seize the village and its airfield.

​After a violent pre-bombardment, supported by the naval shells of HMS Rodney and HMS Robert, 5,000 men of the Canadian 3rd Division (8th Brigade, North Shore Regiment and Regiment de la Chaudière) attacked Carpiquet. Violent street battles took place against the SS Panzer Grenadiers of the 12th SS Panzer Division, commanded by Kurt Meyer.

​The ruined village was liberated in the early afternoon, under intense German bombing. Despite the deployment of reinforcements, the airfield was not captured following the assault of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. The German forces resisted strongly, protected and fighting from their concrete emplacements located around the buildings and hangars of the airfield.

​After several attacks and counter-attacks, the Canadian forces withdrew at the end of the day. The ruined airfield was not taken until 7 July by the men of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, supported by Fort Garry Horse and the Regiment de la Chaudière. The airfield was liberated as part of Operation Charnwood.