CHAPTER SIX

Memorial Tour of the 6th Airborne Division Battlefield No. 2

The High Ground

Distance between stops by vehicle: 13.5 miles (21.73km)

Total walking distance at stops: 0.8 miles (1.28km)

Recommended time allowed for tour: 3-5 hours

This tour starts at the T junction of D223 and D95a near the village of Gonneville-en-Auge. Alternatively, if you have just completed the previous tour, then return from the crossroads, in your car, to the D223. Turn left and 600 yards (549m) farther on, at the next crossroads, you will see a calvary cross on your right.

The Calvary cross second RV for 9 Para.

A. The Calvary Cross and Haras de Retz

1) Calvary RV. This Calvary was the RV for 9 Para after their attack on the Merville Battery. It was on the steps leading up to the cross that Lieutenant Colonel Otway sat while he collected his thoughts and made his decision on what he would do next. All that was left of the battalion at this point were eighty men, including about six Canadians from 1 Cdn Para. Apart from small arms Lieutenant Colonel Otway’s men had no mortars and only one Vickers medium machine gun.

Although there is no mention of his decision in the war diary, it is reasonable to assume that it was at this point Lieutenant Colonel Otway decided not to proceed with the attack on the Sallenelles German naval radar station (see Ch. 5, A4). Instead, with his severely depleted force he decided to move toward the more important secondary objective of capturing and holding the high ground at le Plain (aka le Plein) and Hameau Oger (aka Hauger or Hoger) around Amfréville.

At 0600hrs Otway began to reorganise his force. At 0730hrs the battalion moved toward le Plain with some of their prisoners. Provisions had also been made for the wounded. As there were only a few medical personnel from 9 Para, more had been found amongst the German ranks. They were instructed to help tend the wounded and move them to a nearby château. Located some 200 yards (183m) due south there is:

2) Château Haras de Retz. The château and buildings of this stud farm were assigned as an RAP for 9 Para. The captured German medical officer, his two medical orderlies and two of 9 Paras own medical orderlies set up their RAP here.

B. Bréville (-les-Monts)

Continue to drive along the D223 for 2 miles (3.22km) into Bréville-les-Monts (Bréville officially changed its name to Bréville-les-Monts in 2004) and stop just before you reach the crossroads. As you approach the crossroads on foot you can clearly see in front of you the commanding view that these heights give over the River Orne, Caen Canal and the area across to Caen. The Germans knew only too well the importance of this feature that ran from the area north-north-west of here at Hameau Oger and le Plain around Amfréville, through where you now stand and then due south-east-east to le Mesnil.

Early in 1944 Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel had stood at this site to plan his defence of the area. On one of these inspections he was noted as saying; whoever holds this ground will control the battle. This Rommel did by using some of his best trained infantry in this postition.

The task of clearing and holding this ground was given to the men of Brigadier James Hill’s 3 Para Bde. This, however, was to be done only after their primary objectives had been achieved. In June, 1944, this area become known, and is still referred to in many history books, as the Bréville Gap. Because it was such a dominating feature, the Allies knew they would not be able to expand their bridgehead until this gap was closed and so it was decided that Bréville had to be taken at any cost.

On 11 June at first light, 5 Black Watch, of the 51st Highland Division, put in an attack at 0430hrs towards the crossroads from the direction of the Château St Côme. But the assault encountered overwhelming resistance and failed. The battalion’s first action in Normandy had cost nearly 200 casualties.

The following day the German infantry, supported by tanks, put in three heavy counter-attacks on the 6th Airborne Division positions. It was after the last attack at 1700hrs that Major General Gale decided drastic action was needed to close the Bréville Gap once and for all. He devised an unorthodox plan to catch the Germans off guard. Instead of the traditional dawn raid it was decided to put in an attack late that same evening at 2200hrs from the direction of Amfréville. After a full day of heavy fighting, it was hoped that the enemy would be exhausted and unprepared for any such attack. In addition it was hoped the diminishing light as dusk settled, would give the assaulting force a little extra advantage as they advanced on the village.

Major General Gale had only 12 Para in reserve. Even though this unit was understrength with only 300 men they were nevertheless brought in from their rest period, along with D Coy of 12 Devons and some tanks from 13/18 Hussars, to prepare for the attack. In support they had four field and one medium artillery regiments from 3 Inf Div. At 2145hrs 100 guns from the Royal Artillery opened up and pounded the village of Bréville.

Unfortunately the attack did not start well. Some of the artillery shells fell short of their target and amongst the men at the start line. One shell also landed near where a group of senior officers had gathered to watch the assault. Amongst those killed was the commanding officer of 12 Para, thirty-two year old Lieutenant Colonel Alexander P. ‘Johnny’ Johnson. Now buried in Ranville Commonwealth Cemetery (IVA, C, 10), he was later posthumously awarded the DSO for his action in Normandy. Others also wounded in that incident included 1 SS Bde CO, Brigadier The Lord Lovat, and 6 Airldg Bde CO, Brigadier The Hon Hugh Kindersley.

Nevertheless, at 2215hrs the battle began in earnest and the paratroopers and gliderborne troops moved forward. The crossroads were the first objective after the tanks had destroyed the German strongpoint leading into the village, but the Germans put up fierce resistance by returning fire with mortar bombs and shells. The airborne soldiers did, however, finally overpower the Germans and capture the village. The cost though was high, and 162 men of the 6th Airborne Division were killed in this single battle to close the Bréville Gap.

But their sacrifice was not in vain as the Germans never counter-attacked Bréville again, and the 6th Airborne Division had successfully achieved another of their objectives. Reinforcements from 1 RUR relieved the paratroopers and gliderborne troops at just after noon on 13 June.

As 1 RUR moved up the road (D223) from Ranville, towards the crossroads, Major Edmund Warren of 12 Devons noticed one of the many surreal sights that sometimes face men who have been in battle. The top half of a dead German soldier lay, head and arm first, out of the hedgerow beside the road. As the Irishmen passed by they each took it in turns to shake his hand and pass an amusing remark. It was one example of how, despite being in the most humourless of situations, these men would always find a way to lift their indomitable spirits and keep fighting on.

In the right-hand corner of the crossroads, to the right of the road where 1 RUR made their way in Bréville, you will see the signpost

1) Carrefour 6th Airborne Division. That names this crossroads in memory of the 6th Airborne Division. To the right is the:

German equipment abandoned in Bréville.

The same place, present day.

(2) 6th Airborne Division Memorial. This memorial is dedicated to the memory of the local inhabitants, units of 6th Airborne Division including 12 Para and 12 Devons who were killed in fighting at Bréville. Although 12 Devons formed part of 6 Airldg Bde, all but one of the companies, arrived in Normandy by sea due to a shortage of gliders. To the right of the memorial, just in front of the bus stop, is a:

3) OVERLORD l’Assault Marker. This briefly explains the battle that took place here. Across the road, opposite the bus shelter, are the entrance gates to:

4) Bréville Churchyard. Again, as with all churchyards that have Commonwealth soldiers, sailors or airmen buried in their grounds, there is a green and white CWGC plaque on the wall next to the gates. The original church was destroyed in the fighting, though part of its ruins can be seen to the right of the footpath as you enter the churchyard. In this churchyard rest two men of the 6th Airborne Division, thirty-four year old Captain Hugh William Ward of 53 (WY) Airldg Lt Regt RA, and twenty-one year old Private Charles J.B. Masters of 12 Para, both killed on 12 June 1944, and buried near where they fell. On leaving the cemetery walk back towards the crossroads and turn left along the D223, the next road on your left is:

5) Rue du Général Gale. This road was named in honour of Major General Gale, GOC of 6 Airborne Division. Continue down the road for some 80yds (73m) until you come to the rebuilt church. On the wall, between the stained glass windows there is:

6) Civilian and Military Victim’s Memorial. Dedicated by the people of Bréville, this memorial is in remembrance of the children, civilians and military personnel who became victims in the First World War, Second World War and the war in Indochina.

C. Amfréville

Return to your vehicle and turn right at the crossroads, past the churchyard, and continue to Amfréville along the D37b Rue de Sallenelles and Route du Moutier. After 700 yards (640m) turn right onto Rue Mesaise 300 yards (274m) on your right is a gravelled roadway next to an open area of grass. This is before the fork in the road that encircles the village green and church. Park on the right and on the gravel near the white fencing that surrounds the:

1) No. 6 Commando Memorial. This memorial has a brass painted plaque dedicated to the men of 6 Cdo of 1 SS Bde. On the reverse side, now badly weathered there is the original stone inscription. The area of high ground, from Bréville to Amfréville, was the objective of 6 Cdo after they had crossed Pegasus Bridge around noon on D-Day. The area was taken and held by the morning of 7 June, but the commandos suffered heavily from German artillery fire during and after the attack. When 5 Black Watch failed in their attack on Bréville four days later, 12 Para then led their attack on Bréville through the commando positions around here.

No. 6 Cdo Memorial and Amfréville Church in background.

It was just to the east of here, beyond the village buildings, that the three senior officers became casualties. Despite the serious shrapnel wounds Brigadier The Lord Lovat received, he nevertheless sent the following message to his men; I have become a casualty, but I can rely upon you not to take one step back. You are making history. The buildings near the memorial belonged to Monsieur Bernard Saulnier, a local farmer, who helped tend the wounded who took shelter in one of his barns. On the building adjacent to the commando memorial, on the left of the gates leading into the farmyard, above the narrow window there is a small wooden and brass:

2) Commando Commemorative Plaque. This was placed here in recognition of the commandos using the farm buildings as a base during their operations in this area. Some 35 yards (32m) due north from the memorial, towards the church there is a:

3) OVERLORD l’Assault Marker. This gives a brief explanation of events in this area.

Return to your vehicle and drive along the gravelled path towards the church. At the road junction drive across the road Rue Mesaise and take the left fork where the road divides around either side of the village green. After 200 yards (183m) on your right hand side is:

4) Memorial Cross and Plaques to First Special Service Brigade. After Lord Lovat’s wound put him out of action, Lieutenant Colonel Derek Mills-Roberts, who had also been wounded in Normandy, but not as seriously, took over command of the 1 SS Bde and stayed in command of the brigade until the end of the war. Major Lewis took over Lieutenant Colonel Mills-Roberts’ former position as commander of 6 Cdo. Beneath the memorial cross there is a brass plaque dedicating this memorial to the officers and men of 1 SS Bde; made up of the following units: HQ 1 SS Bde, 3 Cdo, 4 Cdo, 6 Cdo, 45 RM Cdo and 10 (IA) Cdo, who lost their lives in the fighting in Normandy during June and July 1944. The bronze plaques to the left and right of the memorial explain, in French and English, the memorial dedication. Some 60 yards (55m) behind the memorial in the centre of the village green there is:

5) Amfréville Church. By 0900hrs on 6 June 9 Para were approaching Amfréville from the north-east in order to take its secondary objective of the high ground around le Plain (aka le Plein) which is the name given to the large village green on the heights and east side of Amfréville and also to take the area of Hameau Oger (aka Hauger or Hoger) which was a separate small village in 1944. At this time Lieutenant Colonel Otway’s force was up to about 100 men having been reinforced by a few stragglers and some of the troops who were on board the glider that had crash-landed near the Merville Battery.

On their approach to Hameau Oger 9 Para were warned by a local French man that the village was occupied by about 200 Russians, all of whom had been captured on the Eastern Front and had been impressed into the Wehrmacht. Otway decided to avoid the area and instead approach Amfréville from the east and towards le Plain.

As 9 Para approached a road junction to the north east of le Plain they came under fire. Continuing with their advance 9 Para managed to force the enemy back to their main defensive line at the road junction some 200 yards (182m) north-north-east of the church. Having now occupied some of the buildings to the north-east of the village themselves, 9 Para were soon counter-attacked by the German forces. This however, was met with 9 Paras only Vickers machine-gun which managed to decimate and stop the attack.

Lieutenant Colonel Otway realised that the Germans had set up too strong a defence for his own depleted force to attack and decided to leave one section of his men at the north-east road junction and take his main force around to the western side of the village and occupy the Château d’Amfréville which was situated between the le Plain and Hameau Oger (today all that remains of the château is part of its perimeter wall). The prisoners that 9 Para had collected from the Merville Battery were kept within the secured fenced tennis courts of the château.

No. 1 SS Bde Memorial and Amfréville Church.

At this point both sides settled into a period of sporadic firing and sniping, although the better equipped and more numerous Germans continued to use their machine guns and mortar fire against 9 Para they didn’t launch another counter-attack. The German snipers were taking a steady toll on Lieutenant Colonel Otway’s men, so priority for the dwindling supply of ammunition was given to 9 Para snipers in order to deal with the German snipers. Although some of the German snipers were skilful in concealing themselves, others were less experienced in their tactics. An entry in 9 Para’s war diary for 6 June explains how the problem was dealt with:

Their standard of shooting varied… In one instance they appeared incapable of learning any lessons from the fate of their comrades. They persistently sniped from the church tower although one man after another was killed in doing so. Subsequently, six dead snipers were found in the tower. The most effective way of dealing with the sniping proved to be the ‘set a thief to catch a thief’ method. Our own snipers, by carefully watching, located enemy snipers and eliminated them in turn.

APPENDIX C REPORT ON OPERATIONS OF 9 PARA 6-12 JUNE 1944,

9 PARA WAR DIARY

It was No. 3 Troop of 3 Cdo, of Brigadier The Lord Lovat’s commandos that were first to reach the hard pressed men of 9 Para on D-Day. Arriving by bicycle they met with 9 Para at just after 1400hrs at the Écarde crossroads to the east of Amfréville. Soon after, a troop from 45 RM Cdo arrived. After a meeting with Lieutenant Colonel Otway it was a decided that an attack would be launched against the Germans positions at le Plain in Amfréville. After a reconnaissance by the commandos the plan was decided. With 9 Para providing covering fire from the château and along the left flank, the commandos would launch their attack from the direction of Écarde.

Just before the attack Brigadier The Lord Lovat arrived and ordered No. 3 Troop of 3 Cdo to continue with the assault. The commandos soon took a number of casualties and it became clear that this route of advance into Amfréville was not possible. After withdrawing to cover, the commandos regrouped and reorganised their attack plan. With some troops left to cover the route they had just tried to use, another squad was sent around on the right flank, due south, to cause a diversion for the main attack that would be towards the centre of the village. This attack was more successful and managed to eventually rout the Germans from the building along this side of the village green.

It was not until the following day that 9 Para were eventually relieved by the rest of 1 SS Bde. The church was also used by Brigadier The Lord Lovat and his men, as a means of shelter, during the night of 8 June. This was after experiencing fierce fighting around the village of Bréville.

Continue along the road and 100 yards (91m) after the memorial, turn right onto the short road that leads to the Mairie and:

Commandant Philippe Kieffer.

6) Place du Commandant Kieffer. This area is named in honour of Commandant (aka Capitaine de Corvette, the naval equivalent to lieutenant commander and army equivalent of Major) Philippe Kieffer who was the commander of 1er Bataillon de Fusiliers Marins Commandos (1 BFMC). Also known as the Free French Commandos. This unit formed part of the multi-national No. 10 (Inter Allied) Commando [10 (IA) Cdo]. For the Normandy Landings, Commandant Kieffer and his force of 177 men, divided into No. 1 and No. 8 Troop, were attached to 4 Cdo of 1 SS Bde for the Normandy landings.

Having been recently promoted to lieutenant commander just before D-Day, Commandant Kiefer led his men onto SWORD Beach near la Brèche at just after 0730hrs on 6 June. Landing around the same time were the rest of 1 SS Bde.

I carried my rucksack, tommy gun, a thirty round magazine, 200 spare rounds and four hand grenades... In addition everyone had been assigned an extra payload, a 200 ft hemp rope with which to swim across the Caen Canal and Orne River, in case the enemy had blown the bridges.

LANCE CORPORAL PETER MASTERS, 3 BRIT TP, 10 (IA) CDO, 1 SS BDE

After attacking and destroying the German gun emplacement at Ouistreham, Commandant Kieffer and his men passed over Pegasus and Horsa Bridges at just after noon and went on to occupy the high ground feature at Amfréville, taking over from 9 Para, in the evening of 6 June. By this time 1 BFM Cdo had sustained a twenty-five per cent casualty rate.

Return and continue along the road, 25 yards (23m) farther on the road forks. Take the left-hand fork and 50 yards (46m) on your right is a short path leading to:

7) No. 3 Commando Memorial. Sited on le Plain, this memorial has been sited here in dedication of those of 3 Cdo who liberated Amfréville on 6 June 1944. It is also dedicated to the memory of those who died.

Continue to drive for another 30 yards (27m) to the junction onto Rue Morice. Turn right at the corner where the sign is for le Plain and continue along Rue Morice for 145 yards (133m) until you reach the T junction. Turn left onto Route de Sallenelles (D37b) and continue to drive through Amfréville for 640 yards (585m). On the left there is a street called Rue Patra. If you continue for a further 25 yards (23m), on your right there is:

8) Rue du 4ème Commando. This street is named in honour of 4 Cdo with which Commandant Philippe Kieffer and the Free French Commandos were attached.

Return and drive down Rue Patra. 275yds (251m) on your left there is a small track that leads around a small triangle area of grassed area. This area is now known as:

9) Place Colonel Robert Dawson. This part of Hameau Oger (aka Hauger or Hoger) is now named after the commanding officer of 4 Cdo. It was in this area, in the nearby farm buildings, that 4 Cdo dug in and established their HQ at 2130hrs on the evening of 6 June. This HQ, however, was all but destroyed during an artillery barrage just prior to a heavy German counter-attack on the 10 June. At this time 4 Cdo HQ was moved into, and around, the grounds of the château and its farm buildings situated just 40 yards (37m) away, due north-east, from this place. For four days and nights 4 Cdo had no rest and were in continuous contact with the enemy. In the centre of the grassed triangle area there is:

10) No. 4 Commando Memorial. The white stone cross is now worn with age but engraved upon it is No. 4 Commando 1944 and the combined operations badge of the commandos. Below there is a brass plaque with a short verse penned by the Marquis of Montrose. It was a verse that had been quoted as part of the speech, to all the troops, by the Commander of the 21st Army Group on D-Day.

We have a great and righteous cause. Let us pray that the Lord, mighty in Battle, will go forth with our armies and that His special providence will aid us in the struggle. I want every soldier to know that I have complete confidence in the successful outcome of the operations that we are now about to begin. With stout hearts and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory; and, as we enter the battle, let us recall the words of a famous soldier spoken many years ago. These are the words he said:

‘He either fears his fate too much,

Or his deserts are small,

That puts it not unto the touch,

To win or lose it all.’

Good luck to each one of you – and good hunting on the mainland of Europe.

GENERAL SIR BERNARD MONTGOMERY, C-IN-C 21ST ARMY GROUP

The casualties for 4 Cdo had been high during the first five days of fighting. Starting out with 434 officers and men, by 10 June, only 160 had not been killed or wounded.

D. Château St Côme and Bois des Mont

Drive back up Rue Patra and turn right back onto the Route de Sallenelles (D37b). Continue to drive through Amfréville, past the church and village green on your right, and along the main road back to the village of Bréville (although still the D37b the road name changes to Rue Mesaise then to Rue du Moutier then back to Route de Sallenelles). At the crossroads, after the church, in Bréville continue straight on along Rue de Arbre Martin. Some 300 yards (274m) on your left-hand side there is a fence and hedgerow that is at the end of a long paddock. The paddock runs at 45 degrees, away from the road, to your right and is flanked by a row of trees. At the far end of this field is the Château St Côme. Continue to drive for a further 370 yards (338m) and park on the area in front of the water tower on your right. Across the road, to your left, is the main entrance that leads to:

1) Château St Côme. This Château is private property. To the left of the entrance lane leading to the Château there is:

Château St Côme after the fighting in June 1944.

The Château today.

2) Princess Irene Brigade Memorial. This memorial was unveiled in December 2003 and is dedicated to the Dutch armed force that was attached to the 6th Airborne Division in August 1944. Initially formed in England in 1940, it was made up of Dutch military personnel who had escaped from the Netherlands or Dutch volunteers from England, America, Canada and South Africa.

In January 1941 the brigade became officially known as Royal Dutch Brigade and then on 27 August 1941 Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands conferred the title De Koninklijke Nederlandsche Brigade Prinses Irene, the Royal Dutch Princess Irene Brigade, in honour of her grandchild. The brigade had 1,205 personnel and was made up of an HQ, three combat teams, a reconnaissance unit, an artillery battery and a brigade supply train. The unit formed No. 2 Troop of the multinational 10 (IA) Cdo.

Memorial to Princess Irene Brigade.

Princess Irene Brigade landed on JUNO Beach on 7 and 8 August and took up frontline positions around the Château St Côme on 12 August. The unit later took part in Operation PADDLE on 17 August and became the first unit to occupy Pont Audemer on 26 August. The brigade was then assigned to the First Canadian Army for the crossing of the River Seine. The Princess Irene Brigade’s involvement was appreciated by the GOC of the 6th Airborne Division, as the following message to the Brigadecommandant, Luitenant Kolonel Artillerie A. C. de Ruyter van Steveninck, expresses:

My Dear Colonel,

I cannot say, how sorry I am, that the command of your gallant brigade should so soon pass from me. It will always be with great pride, that the Royal Dutch contingent first fought in this great battle for liberation under my command.

Your men fought splendidly throughout this time, culminating in your splendid dash for Pont Audemer. It has been an honour to have fought besides you.

May God Speed you in your advance to your great country.

Yours very sincerely

(SIGNED) Richard N. Gale

Major General

Further information on the Princess Irene Brigade on www.prinsesirenebrigade.nl

On the right-hand corner of the lane leading to the Château St Côme, in front a large tree there is:

3) 9th Parachute Battalion Memorial. The plaque on this memorial also pays homage to the men of 5 Black Watch, Royal Armoured Corps and 1 Cdn Para who took part in the fighting around the Château St Côme and the Bois des Monts.

Major General Richard Gale.

Lieutenant Colonel Otway was ordered on the evening of 7 June to take the ground around here. 9 Para arrived by making a detour around Bréville as the Germans had the village strongly defended. Just near here, some 100 yards (91m) due south-south-west, across the road, there is a small villa called Bois des Monts. Lieutenant Colonel Otway decided that he had insufficient men and equipment to occupy both the château and the villa. As the thick woods and dense bocage around the Bois des Monts provided a better defensive position he decided to use this, and its adjacent buildings, as his HQ and RAP. Its occupant turned out to be the Mayor of Bréville, Monsieur Magninet, who also happened to be a member of the local French Resistance. It was when using the Mayor’s secret radio that Otway heard on the BBC news service a mention of his raid on the Merville Battery.

The lane opposite the Château St Côme where Lieutenant Christie was killed and Lieutenant Colonel Otway (pictured left) was concussed.

Lieutenant Colonel Otway still only had a fraction of his original battalion when he arrived in this area. Even though he had lost several men in the fighting around Amfréville, some paratroopers, despite some being dropped miles from their DZ, had by this time managed to find their bearings and make their way back to their units. Still desperately undermanned with only ninety men, and still without much of their heavy equipment, the paratroopers dug in around this area ready to carry out their orders which were to deny the enemy the use of the château and the high ground which lay between the château and le Mesnil and the area towards Bréville. With such a depleted force 9 Para were destined to have a rough time over the next five days.

As you stand in front of the 9 Para Memorial, to your left is the driveway leading to the château. To your right is a hedgerow running, due south, and curving due east that runs adjacent to the road that leads to le Mesnil. It was from this point and down along that hedgerow for about 50 yards (46m) that Lieutenant Colonel Otway concentrated his limited firepower by positioning some men from A Coy so they were facing the open field and driveway. This would provide the first line of defence against an enemy attack from the direction of the château. In addition the remainder of part of A Coy also took up positions along a ditch that bordered the woods, beyond the field, some 170 yards (155m) due south-east.

Walk across the road and beyond the wide gateway along the hedgerow there is a sunken lane, flanked by high hedgerows. This is where the anti-tank platoon, with their PIAT, covered both the Bréville to le Mesnil road and the château driveway. About halfway down the sunken lane, just beyond the hedgerow on the right, B Coy was given the task of protecting the north-west approach to the Bois des Monts. Continue, due south and some 15 yards (14m) on your right there is:

4) 51st Highland Division Memorial This bronze statue of a highland piper is dedicated to the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division and to the 110 men who were killed near here in their first attack on Bréville and their defence of the château. Although the engraved plinth states that the 51st (Highland) Division made its first attack on 10 June, the actual attack took place at 0430hrs on the morning of Sunday 11 June by 5 Black Watch with artillery support from 63 Med Regt RA.

Walk back towards the gate leading to the sunken lane.

Despite a warning from Lieutenant Colonel Otway, not to attack Bréville toward the heavily defended German positions to the west of the château, he was overruled by a brigadier from the Black Watch. On 10 June Lieutenant Colonel Otway was ordered to take the château and he detailed C Coy to do so at 2300hrs. They managed to successfully take the château but were subjected to numerous probing attacks by the Germans throughout the night. During the night 5 Black Watch moved up to take their start positions along the sunken lane next to the Bois des Monts.

51st (Highland) Division Memorial.

Walk for 25 yards (23m), past the gateway leading down the sunken lane. Just after the water towers (that were not here in 1944) on your left, stop by the fence that overlooks the fields to the south of Bréville.

D Coy and HQ Coy of 5 Black Watch relieved C Coy of 9 Para at the château in the early hours of Sunday. At 0430hrs, 5 Black Watch started their assault with A Coy leaving the protection of the trees and hedgerow along the length of the sunken lane down the slope to your left. A Coy had a distance of approximately 720 yards (658m) to reach Bréville crossroads. Farther over to the east B Coy and C Coy approached Bréville from the bottom of the sunken lane and covered the left flank towards Bréville. Using the natural cover of a hedgerow (no longer there today) down towards the bottom of the hill, B and C Coy had approximately 1,000 yards (914m) of ground to cover to reach the crossroads.

After about 250 yards (229m) A Coy came to another hedgerow (no longer there today but it ran across the field where the building now stands along the hedgerow to your right). This hedgerow ran east to west from the Bréville to le Mesnil road for approximately 170 yards (155m). When the company had advanced about 130 yards (119m) across into the next field the Germans laid down withering mortar and machine-gun fire wiping out most of A Coy. B Coy and then C Coy both tried to outflank the German positions to the left, but to no avail. By 0900hrs the battalion had sustained some 200 casualties with fifty men killed. With no armoured support and with the 5.5in (139.7mm) guns of the artillery medium regiment having missed their target 5 Black Watch had to withdraw bringing back with them as many of the wounded as they could.

From your position here you are also able to better appreciate the strategic importance of this part of the high ground and the area up to Bréville. The commanding view of the village of Ranville, the area around Pegasus Bridge and Horsa Bridge, and the plains leading to Caen from SWORD Beach soon also became apparent to Lieutenant Colonel Otway on the morning of 8 June when 9 Para initially occupied this area.

Walk back towards the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division memorial and some 10 yards (9m) beyond the memorial there are the gates leading into the grounds of the:

5) Bois des Monts. Please note this is now private property. Within the gardens though, the most recent owners have respectfully preserved some of the undergrowth and wooded areas leaving them pretty much as they were back in 1944. In parts, the slit trenches and protective earth banks can still be clearly seen. The debris of the battlefield has been removed for preservation and safety; as well as to deter unauthorised collectors of militaria. Nevertheless, some items have been protected and left in situ, including:

6) Captain Wilkinson’s Stone Cross Headstone.

This is located 30 yards (27m) south-east of the villa and 10 yards (9m) north-east of the tool shed and wood store. This stone cross was made by Corporal Tilley, a former stone mason, who was a member of Captain Wilkinson’s section. It was the original headstone for Captain Wilkinson’s grave after he was killed (see Ch. 6, D8). He was later reinterred in Ranville Commonwealth War Cemetery (IA, C, 20).

Captain Wilkinson’s stone cross headstone.

A large part of the grassed area between the villa and around Captain Wilkinson’s stone cross became a temporary cemetery during the summer of 1944. These bodies were also later reinterred in Ranville Commonwealth War Cemetery. Also situated nearby in the grounds of the Bois des Monts is a wooden bench seat, on the back of which there are two brasses:

7) Memorial Plaques to Sergeant S.F. ‘Sid’ Capon. One is dedicated to his memory, by his friends and comrades from 9 Para (see Ch. 5, D8). Some 40 yards (37m) south-east of the villa, there is a:

8) Tool Shed and Wood Store (Dressing Station). Inside, scribed upon the wall in chalk, there is still visible a list of soldiers names. No one, however, has been able to determine who these soldiers are, or why and when their names were written.

After Lieutenant Colonel Otway deployed part of A Coy along the other side of the hedgerow across the road from the Bois des Monts, his anti-tank platoon at the top of, and B Coy to the north-east of, the sunken lane; the area and buildings in the grounds of the Bois des Monts became 9 Para’s HQ and RAP.

Part of HQ Coy dug in along the hedgerow and trees that continues after the gates, and which runs parallel to the Bréville and le Mesnil road. The remainder of A Coy took up positions amongst the woods in the eastern part of the Bois des Monts and the barn (now converted to a house), sited some 140 yards (128m) due east from the villa, was used as A Coy’s HQ. The south-west of the grounds were protected by C Coy who were also tasked with forming a mobile reserve so that in the event of a counter-attack they could be deployed where they would be most needed.

Meanwhile, one room in the villa was used as the battalion HQ and the kitchen was used as a first aid treatment room. Between the barn and the villa, some 40 yards (37m) away, is a tool shed and wood store. This was turned into a dressing station. Holding a tight defensive line around the Bois des Monts fighting patrols were sent out to reconnoitre and probe enemy positions. The Germans, too, were constantly probing with the inevitable skirmishes taking a toll on both both sides.

The graves around the villa in le Bois des Monts.

Bois des Monts today.

It was on one of these patrols, led by Lieutenant Dennis Slade, that some men entered the château to see if it was being occupied by the Germans. Inside they found ample evidence that the enemy had indeed been using the building. It seemed they were also in a bit of a hurry to leave as there was clothing and overturned chairs strewn about the place, along with half-eaten meals still left on the table.

On the first floor, with Lieutenant Slade, we entered an office. There was a large desk near the large window that overlooked open fields to Bréville. On this desk was a cash box with a lid partially open. To me this seemed to be a classic booby trap, but Lieutenant Slade decided to look and I left the room in a hurry. Later it was found to contain a German pay roll and the money was handed over to Lieutenant Colonel Otway.

PRIVATE KEN E. WALKER, 9 PARA

Before leaving, the men helped themselves to some of the spoils of war, Lieutenant Slade taking a German officer’s sword in addition to the substantial sum of money. (Reports of the exact amount vary between 500 and 150,000 Francs!) Whatever the true amount, it was said that Lieutenant Colonel Otway was later ordered to hand over the money to the Corps HQ. But he had decided to ignore the order and instead ‘donated’ the money to his Quartermaster so that fresh food and drink could be bought for his men.

Later that day, around noon, a German patrol was fought off when they approached from the north-east towards A Coy. This was then followed by two attacks on A and C Coy’s positions, but as the Germans did not use any artillery or mortar support during these attacks they were soon stopped.

Since early morning both 3 Para Bde and 1 Cdn Para HQ, had been subjected to heavy German attacks. So intense was the action that Brigadier James Hill at one point radioed 9 Para requesting reinforcements. As some of the German troops had redirected their attack farther north, towards the area between le Mesnil and the Bois des Monts, Lieutenant Colonel Otway organised an assault group to make a left flanking attack towards the rear of the German attack.

Meanwhile, Major George Smith led a small group armed with two machine-guns, forward along the wood bordering the road to le Mesnil in order to lay down covering fire. Also joining the group was twenty-four year old Captain Anthony Wilkinson, an intelligence officer with 3 Para Bde HQ who had been with Lieutenant Colonel Otway when the request for help came from 3 Para Bde HQ. Seizing the opportunity to possibly get a German prisoner for interrogation, he had requested to join the covering party.

As they approached a corner along a roadside ditch Lieutenant Colonel Otway, who had also moved up with the group, looked around the corner to observe the Germans. Immediately he was fired upon. Moving back along the ditch he warned Captain Wilkinson to move back also. But Captain Wilkinson also looked around the corner before withdrawing and was hit in the head by a sniper’s bullet. Within minutes he died of his wound.

Continuing with their task Major Smith and his men successfully pushed forward and forced the Germans to withdraw into the line of fire of the assault group. As well as relieving the pressure on 3 Para Bde HQ, it also prevented the Germans from breaking the vital road connection between the Bois des Monts and le Mesnil. Captain Wilkinson’s body was taken back and buried in the grounds of the Bois des Monts (see Ch. 6, D6).

The fighting continued into the following days with the Germans laying down heavy mortar and artillery fire on 9 Para positions at frequent intervals. In addition, these bombardments were often followed by infantry assaults.

We were well dug into our trenches in the thick undergrowth, and the Germans did not know where until it was too late. We killed them all at very close range, so as not to miss, but they still came, till there was so many dead bodies that there was a horrible putrid smell. The bodies started to swell up and were covered with bluebottles and other flies which came in a black cloud to descend on them.

PRIVATE RON TUCKER, 9 PARA

It was on one of the many bodies that orders were found commanding that no airborne or commando troops should be taken alive. To give the order more impact, the German soldiers were misinformed by the Nazi Propaganda Minister, Goebbels, that Allied paratroopers had also been ordered not to take any prisoners.

In the early hours of 9 June, at first light, the Germans attacked in strength. At this stage two companies of 9 Para were dug in either side of the road and by the entrance of the lane leading to the château Sergeant McGeever and Corporal McGuinness manned a Vickers machine-gun. As the enemy approached from the direction of the château and Bréville, the paratroopers held their fire until the Germans were within 50 yards (46m) of their positions.

Opening fire with machine-guns, mortars and rifles they stopped the Germans in their tracks. Most were killed or wounded, while those who survived fled back into the woods by the château. At about this time news came in from a reconnaissance patrol that the Germans were constantly being reinforced at Bréville and that they already had an estimated strength of about 500 men.

Meanwhile, in the opposite direction, at le Mesnil, more men were needed and about a dozen men were taken from the Bois des Monts up to the crossroads by Major Ian Dyer to help reinforce brigade headquarters. The day continued to take its toll with the loss of Lieutenant Gordon Parfitt, 2ic of 9 Para, Major Charlton, Sergeant Rose, Signalman Courtney and three others who were killed while out on patrol.

Next day, on 10 June, the battalion reached its maximum strength so far, as more stragglers reached their respective companies. But this still left Lieutenant Colonel Otway with only 270 men to continue with his tasks. At noon, a new company of approximately fifty Germans walked into the open and prepared to dig in just to the north by the wood alongside the road leading to Bréville. This was in full view of 9 Para positions. The paratroopers waited until the troops had discarded most of their weapons and equipment. Then, as the Germans began digging in, the paratroopers opened fire with Vickers and Bren guns, wiping out the company.

Meanwhile, the Germans had launched an attack on Ranville. Although this attack failed, they had also moved and reoccupied the Château St Côme during the morning and were beginning to concentrate their efforts against 9 Para positions with even greater force. Brigadier James Hill by now knew that his men on this ridge were up against Germans from Infanterie Regiment 857 of 346 Infanterie Division. In addition to the mortars and artillery support the Germans were also using armour to support their attacks.

It was a desperate time for the paratroopers, which called for desperate measures. Lieutenant Colonel Otway, during a particularly heavy attack against his position at 1700hrs, decided it was necessary to ignore the 1,000 yard safety limit for fire support from HMS Arethusa. Calling the FOB at 3 Para Bde HQ, the message and coordinates for support were relayed to HMS Arethusa. Within minutes the 6in (152.4mm) guns of HMS Arethusa opened up on the attacking Germans while they were only 500 yards (457m) away from 9 Para.

Directing the fire was Captain The Honourable Paul Greenway, despite being in full view of the enemy, he shouted corrective fire coordinates to Lieutenant Colonel Otway who in turn had them radioed through to the FOB at 3 Para Bde HQ. The accurate and devastating fire power of HMS Arethusa’s guns decimated the German attack. It also raised morale amongst 9 Para. After some close hand-to-hand fighting with the remaining Germans that had managed to reach some of 9 para’s slit trenches, the attack was thwarted.

After the failed attack on Bréville by 5 Black Watch on the morning of 11 June, the remnants of A, B, and C Coys joined D Coy and HQ Coy in and around the Château St Côme. Throughout the night 5 Black Watch were reinforced with machine guns from a platoon from 1/7 Middlesex Regiment and 6pdr anti-tank guns from the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division.

Tanks from the 13/18 Hussars had also been brought up from the south and west and through the Bois des Monts to help reinforce the highlanders’ position. But, as three tanks made their way down the driveway toward the château, a German SP gun hidden some 300 yards (274m) away in the woods blew the turret off the first tank and then knocked out the next two tanks in quick succession. The remaining tanks were then withdrawn after realising that the woods, close-knit fields and high hedgerows of the bocage were not suitable for tank warfare. The evening of 11 June passed with relative quiet, but patrols from both sides continued to probe each other’s defences.

On the morning of 12 June, just after first light, the Germans continued with sporadic shell and mortar fire. By noon, this had intensified and the whole area was being subjected to continuous enemy fire. At 1500hrs the bombardment intensified and lasted for a further forty-five minutes. This was followed immediately by a determined infantry attack supported by armour and Mk IV tanks and SP guns.

Troops from 5 Black Watch and 1/7 Middlesex were in danger of being overrun as the German armour and tanks advanced across the fields to the west of the château. For the next three hours the highlanders lost most of their Bren gun carriers and anti-tank guns, but they held tenaciously onto the château building.

In the woods to the east of the château though, events were taking a turn for the worse. Routed by the Germans, confusion reigned as those who survived the German onslaught began to withdraw towards the Bois des Monts. As some highland troops withdrew toward 9 Para lines they had to be hastily reorganised to form a defensive line.

Lieutenant Colonel Otway had already called 3 Para Bde HQ for additional support and more ammunition. Brigadier James Hill knew that the situation must indeed be critical for Otway to convey such a message. He immediately led the reserve company of about sixty Canadian paratroopers of A Coy 1 Cdn Para, from le Mesnil, to help the beleaguered troops.

The Germans continued with concentrated mortar and artillery fire in support of their infantry and armoured attack. During this shelling Lieutenant Slade was seen walking about boosting the men’s morale by waving the sword he had taken from the château. He gave the order to Stand fast and make all shots count. The Padre, the Reverend Captain John Gwinnett, also raised morale when he came out from the cover of the Bois des Monts driveway crossed the road and hung the battalion’s flag on the trunk of the tree situated on the right-hand corner of the entrance leading to the château.

Château St Côme driveway (left) and tree (right) on which Reverend Gwinnett hung the battalion flag. Memorial to 9 Para in foreground.

Entrance to the Château St Côme. Private Peter Sanderson.

By now two German tanks were also starting to come up the road from Bréville in support of the infantry that was advancing before them. They were heading directly for the 9 Para positions around the entrance to the château and the top of the sunken lane. When the Germans were within 20 yards (18m) 9 Para let loose with everything they had left. The machine-guns, positioned by the entrance to the château and along the sunken lane, opened up, along with mortar bombs, grenades, PIAT projectiles and small arms fire into the German lines.

Corporal McGuinness had his machine gun positioned near the driveway entrance to the château and Corporal Bailey’s machine gun was in the wood, both facing Bréville. Opposite, Private Peter Sanderson had his gun covering the château. His position unfortunately received a direct hit from a mortar round killing nineteen year old Private Sanderson and wounding his comrades.

One tank had its track blown off with a PIAT and began to retreat and fire its high explosive rounds into 9 Para’s defences. It was estimated that the tank accounted for at least twenty-two casualties. The tank was soon finished off when Corporal McGuinness helped man a 6pdr and put three rounds into the tank stopping it completely. Later, the second tank was fired upon when Company Sergeant Major ‘Wally’ Beckwith and Regimental Sergeant Major Bill Cunningham manned an abandoned 6pdr gun that was positioned some 30 yards (27m) down along the château driveway. Although it was not damaged by the artillery rounds the tank commander thought better of continuing his attack and withdrew.

At one point though, the German infantry had actually managed to break through the defences of 9 Para but were beaten back by bloody hand-to-hand fighting with bayonets and knives. Small probing patrols also managed to infiltrate 9 Para positions:

Just how close they could get without being seen was brought home to me. I was crouched over a spirit stove, brewing up, when something made me look at my companion. Before I could speak he motioned me to silence and pointed just over my head, I looked up to see the bushes part and the head and shoulders of a German soldier came into view. How he failed to see us I will never know as we were right beneath him. All his attention was on the Vickers position. He raised his arm and in his hand was a stick grenade; before he could throw it my companion shot him and as he fell his helmet came off striking me on the shoulder. We immediately fired bursts into the undergrowth but he was alone. In his wallet were photos of his wife and two small children who had just lost their father.

SERGEANT DOUG WOODCRAFT, 9 PARA

Brigadier James Hill himself led a detachment from A Coy 1 Cdn Para to the area south-east of the château as reinforcements. They were met by the Black Watch and Germans engaged in confused fighting in the woods. Clearing the woods of Germans Brigadier Hill and the Canadians pushed on towards the château. Their arrival was much appreciated by the beleaguered men of 5 Black Watch who were still holding out.

Finally, fire support from HMS Arethusa was called upon again. Anchored some 12 miles (19.31km) away its 6in (152.4mm) guns pounded the German positions just as they were regrouping for another attack. By 2000hrs the Germans had finally had enough and withdrew.

As the German and British dead piled up, two or three high in places, there was a nauseating stench of decaying and burnt flesh. Combined with the smell of cordite, unwashed bodies and human excrement a sickening odour was created that hung heavily in the air all around the château and the Bois des Monts. It was an unwelcome addition to the horrific sight of the battlefield.

The RAP in the villa was also a grotesque scene, overflowing with the wounded that lay wherever space could be found. The growing mound of amputated limbs and soiled dressings continued to pile up next to the building adding to the shocking, gruesome and desperate image of the sharp end of battle. In the back garden the ever increasing numbers of dead were laid out in rows, close together, so as to make use of every available inch of space.

At one time we had 183 wounded in there... In fact, at one time, the Germans were not taking their wounded in, and so I asked the Padre if he would mind going out with stretcher-bearers and bringing them in. He went out but got very angry because we had arranged a sort of truce, not to fire, and there was a single shot... He always had a big shepherd’s crook and he stood up, pointed at his dog collar and in a very un-Christian language, in English, asked the Germans if they couldn’t see it. He was a very brave man... We had people walking around here with bandaged legs, bandaged arms, bandaged heads, still fighting. They went to the RAP, they were patched up, came out and made room for the other people... I think, from memory, I ended up losing 120 killed here, plus wounded.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL TERENCE OTWAY, COMMANDER, 9 PARA

In July 1944, the Padre, the Reverend Captain John Gwinnett, received the Military Cross for his actions during the many battles fought by 9 Para around the Château St Côme.

That day, 12 June, had seen the final desperate attacks by the Germans to dominate the high ground at the château and le Mesnil. In the evening at 2100hrs, just prior to the attack on Bréville by 12 Para and 12 Devons, Lieutenant Colonel Otway was out inspecting his positions with several of his officers. As they stood on the bank of the sunken lane (see p. 132), opposite the château drive, the Germans opened up with an intense artillery barrage that lasted for ten minutes. One shell landed beside the group of officers. Lieutenant Christie was killed instantly, Sergeant McGeever was wounded and Lieutenant Colonel Otway, Captain The Honourable Paul Greenway and Lieutenant Hugh Pond were all concussed, the latter two severely.

In the early hours of 13 June, after the successful capture of Bréville by 6th Airborne Division, 9 Para received orders that they were to be relieved by 2 Oxf Bucks. For the paratroopers around the château it was a great relief for they thought that they would have, at last, a chance to get some much needed and well deserved rest.

But there was to be no respite yet for the men of 9 Para as Lieutenant Colonel Otway had been ordered to take his men, ten officers and 218 other ranks, straight back into the front line near where 1 Cdn Para were deployed. At 1100hrs 9 Para reported to the HQ of 3 Para Bde at le Mesnil.

That evening, at 1735hrs, 9 Para received an unwelcome reception in their new positions, when 3 Para Bde HQ and the MDS for 224 Para Fd Amb were strafed in an air attack. This attack was not by the Germans though, it was a mistaken friendly fire attack by Typhoons firing their 20mm (0.79in) cannons and launching their rocket projectiles. During the attack two Canadian officers were wounded and a French female civilian was killed. 9 Para did not suffer any casualties.

On 17 June, 9 Para moved to Ranville, before, finally, being moved to Écarde on 20 June where the battalion spent the next four days in rest and recuperation. With the background echo of gunfire they were also provided with entertainment by a group of performers from ENSA. After the brief respite the battalion were reclothed and re-equipped, and on 25 June 9 Para moved back to the front line and relieved 13 Para at le Mesnil.

After experiencing some after-effects from the explosion in the sunken lane, including a brief period of blindness, Lieutenant Colonel Otway was paid a visit by Major Alastair D. Young, the commanding officer of 224 Para Fd Amb, and his ADMS, on 23 July. He decided that Otway had to be evacuated and on 24 July Otway went to attend a medical examination at the general hospital in Bayeux where he was declared unfit for further active service.

It was a terrible blow for the twenty-nine year old officer, just as it was for the men of 9 Para who were now less than 200 strong. They had come to trust implicitly the orders and actions of their Commanding Officer and his loss was a great blow to their morale. For his efforts during the first crucial weeks of the Battle of Normandy Lieutenant Colonel Otway was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Command of 9 Para then passed to Major Allen Parry for the remainder of the battalion’s time in Normandy. Later, on 16 September, Lieutenant Colonel Napier Crookenden assumed command of 9 Para for its future deployments and operations in north-west Europe.

E. le Mesnil

Return to your vehicle and continue along the D37b for 0.75 miles (1.21km) until you reach the next crossroads at le Mesnil. Continue straight across and pull into the picnic area 100 yards (91m) on the right. Drive down the short gravel driveway and park. Over the grassed area beneath the three flag poles is a concrete memorial surrounded by gravel. This area is known as:

1) Brigadier James Hill DSO MC Square. On the grassed area beneath the three flagpoles there is a concrete memorial surrounded by gravel. The top blue plaque, with white lettering, names this square in honour of Brigadier James Hill, Commander of 3 Para Bde. He set up 3 Para Bde HQ some 200 yards (182m) south-west-west of here in the nearby buildings of the Potérie de Bavent. These buildings were known as the brickworks by the paratroopers.

Beneath, there is a black marble plaque with gold lettering:

2) 3 Para Bde Memorial Plaque. This memorial is dedicated to the units of 1 Cdn Para, 8 Para, 9 Para, 3 Para Sqn RE and 224 Para Fd Amb who all formed 3 Para Bde and were in action in this area. To the left of this memorial some 10 yards (9m) away there is a large stone:

3) 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Memorial which pays tribute to the Canadians who defended this particular area, around le Mesnil crossroads, on the eastern flank of the Allied invasion force. Leaving Down Ampney Airfield on the evening of 5 June, A Coy and B Coy flew and dropped from C-47 Dakotas while C Coy flew in Albemarles. 1 Cdn Para was assigned to land at DZ V, near Varaville, with each of the three companies given the following tasks:

A Coy was to protect the left flank of 9 Para while they attacked the Merville Battery and cover their advance towards Amfréville, after which they would then move up to the crossroads at le Mesnil.

B Coy was to destroy the road bridge near Robehomme, with one section of 3 Para Sqn RE, and then take and hold the high ground at Robehomme until orders were received to move back to the crossroads at le Mesnil.

C Coy dropped thirty minutes prior to the main 3 Para Bde landing, as part of the pathfinder group, and secure the DZ by destroying the German HQ and strongpoint around the Château de Varaville which was known to be towards the south-east corner of the DZ. They would then destroy the bridge over the Divette, some 500 yards (457m) east of the DZ, on the eastern side of Varaville and the nearby German signal exchange approximately 1,000 yards (914m) west of the southern end of DZ V. Their final task was to then join the rest of the battalion at le Mesnil crossroads.

HQ Coy including Intelligence section, signal section and elements of 224 Para Fd Amb were to proceed towards le Mesnil after landing, and meet at their RV point.

The wide dispersion of the main drop meant that less than twenty men of A Company managed to make the RV. This group, led by Lieutenant John Clancy, were able only to join 9 Para after their attack on the Merville Battery, whereupon they provided a rearguard for part of 9 Para’s advance towards Amfréville.

At 0900hrs they left 9 Para and made it to le Mesnil by 1530hrs on the afternoon of 6 June. As with 9 Para, stragglers rejoined their respective companies over the next week or so. In some instances, men were absorbed into other battalions if there was a need for their services.

B Coy with only thirty men managed to take their objective of Robehomme and destroy the nearby bridge. Two companies of B Coy had been dropped wide of the DZ and had landed in the marsh and wetlands south and west of Robehomme.

C Coy were also widely dispersed, with one stick landing west of the River Orne over 3.5 miles (5.6km) away from the DZ and some landing in the flooded plains around the River Dives. Despite this, one platoon managed to successfully take up defensive positions around the bridge over the River Divette so that it could be blown up by the engineers.

The remaining troops along with elements from 3 Para Bde HQ and RE, managed to take the German strongpoint at the Château de Varaville, take Varaville and set up defensive positions around the village. At just after 1500hrs the Canadians were relieved by 6 Cdo, at which point they moved on to le Mesnil.

By 1100hrs Headquarters Company arrived and set up 1 Cdn Para HQ in the ‘brickworks’. By noon, on D-Day, 1 Cdn Para had achieved all of its primary objectives. From then on the lightly equipped paratroopers were dug into slit trenches fighting as infantry. Their remaining task was now to deny the enemy the use of this ridge. This could only be achieved by having well prepared defences and by maintaining a constant static offensive to ensure that the Germans were kept on the defensive. During this time continual reconnaissance patrols, night and day, would keep the battalion and brigade HQ informed of enemy strengths and defence positions.

In the early hours of 7 June German troops from Infanterie Regiment 857 and 858 of 346 Infanterie Division, launched a determined counter-attack with Mk IV tanks and SP guns in support. They approached in tight formation along the road leading to the crossroads from Varaville. As the Germans formed up paratroopers sent several salvoes of mortar rounds down between the tanks, killing and maiming many of the tightly packed infantry soldiers.

Undeterred, the Germans continued their attack. One tank managed to penetrate to within 100 yards (91m) of C Coy defences, but was soon forced back when fired upon with a PIAT. As the tank retreated the German infantry were left exposed. B Coy took advantage of the retreat by fixing bayonets and charging the Germans in a counter-attack. This surprised the Germans enough to force them back, some 250 yards (229m), to where they had set up a heavily defended position in a farmhouse at l’Abre Martin, on the right-hand side of the road.

The next day, on 8 June, B Coy rejoined the battalion from Robehomme. With the extra men now available it was decided that the Germans should be removed from the farmhouse and adjacent buildings. Following a preliminary naval bombardment Captain Peter Griffin led a force of seventy-five men, made up from HQ Coy and B Coy, towards the farm buildings under the cover of the battalion’s mortar fire. Split into two sections, the main body led by Captain Peter Griffin attacked the enemy head-on, the second section protected the right flank to the north-east of their objective heading through the orchards and woods toward the Bavent road (now the D224).

Catching the Germans by surprise the Canadians managed to overrun the German outer defence positions about 200 yards (183m) from the farmhouse. Despite the Germans having six to eight machine guns set up in the hedgerows to the front of the farmhouse, Captain Griffin continued with the attack. With bayonets fixed, the Canadian paratroopers charged the enemy. Men began to fall almost immediately as the German machine-gun bullets ripped through the advancing body of men. Despite the casualties the Canadians pressed forward. As they approached the enemy lines the German machine-gunners abandoned their positions and withdrew to prepared trenches behind the farmhouse. Entering the building the Canadians used their weapons to deal with the remaining enemy troops.

At this point Captain Griffin discovered that the outbuildings and farmyard were occupied by too large a number of enemy troops, along with armoured vehicles, to make any further advance worth considering. Almost immediately the Germans had regrouped and launched a counter-attack. With mortar fire raining down and a large group of German infantry supported by a tank moving towards the farmhouse Captain Griffin ordered a withdrawal to the battalion’s lines.

As the Germans moved forward, part of the section sent to protect the right flank were well positioned to deal with the counter-attack. Private Russell Geddes and Private William Novel were among the Bren gun group and sniper group and opened up with enfilade fire on the advancing Germans. Private Noval’s citation for the Military Medal explains the effect this had on the enemy:

At le Mesnil on 8 June 1944 in a company attack this man with his Bren gun and a sniper were detached to give covering fire to his section crossing open ground to the objective. When the company were counter-attacked he and the sniper were cut off but kept fighting and finally found their way into the company positions. Twenty-five dead Germans were accounted for by him and the sniper.

CITATION FOR MILITARY MEDAL, PRIVATE WILLIAM ‘BILL’ NOVAL,

B COY 1 CDN PARA

The Canadians had sustained some twenty-one casualties, eight of whom were killed. The Germans lost at least fifty killed, along with an unknown number wounded. As the Germans withdrew they left snipers posted in the trees and hedgerows who would continue to cause problems for the Canadians in the coming days.

However, the attack by 1 Cdn Para had the desired effect and the Germans did not reoccupy the farmhouse again. There were several awards for gallantry to the Canadians for their action at le Mesnil among them were Private Noval and Private Geddes who received the Military Medal and Captain Griffin who was awarded the Military Cross.

The Canadians successfully held on to their positions and beat off several more German attacks in the following days. Casualties sustained by 1 Cdn Para amounted to over 150 in the first three weeks of fighting alone. By the end of the Normandy Campaign this figure had more than doubled to 328.

Return, in your vehicle, to the crossroads. Turn left onto the D513, signposted Hérouvillette, and stop 300 yards (274m) on your right in the narrow dirt parking space opposite the splendid old, timber and brick building. This building is called:

4) Potérie de Bavent, also known as the brickworks by the paratroopers it was the site of the 1 Cdn Para HQ and RAP. Opposite the pottery, is the white fenced and gated entrance to:

5) le Ferme de Mesnil. This farm is private property. In 1944 it was the HQ of 3 Para Bde from 6 June until 17 June. After a brief move to Ranville and three days respite at Écardes, 3 Para Bde HQ again returned to le Mesnil on 25 June and remained until 4 July. It was also the Main Dressing Station (MDS) for 224 Para Fld Amb RAMC. They were stationed here, on the front line, from 6 June until 21 June. The unit was then moved to Écarde until 7 August and then to Riva-Bella. On 21 August they moved to Dozule for the end of the Normandy campaign. In the grounds, attached to the farm building, there is:

The Potérie de Bavent today. Back in 1944 it was 1 Cdn Para HQ and known as ‘the brickworks’.

The lane leading to le Ferme de Mesnil where 224 Para Fd Amb set up the Main Dressing Station.

6) 224 Para Fd Amb RAMC Memorial Plaque. This was dedicated in 1989 and commemorates the 112 major life-saving operations that were carried out and the 822 serious casualties that were treated in these farm buildings between 6 and 19 June 1944. It also pays homage to the officers and other ranks of the unit who became casualties. The farm was in use as a MDS within the first day of the landings.

There were 129 men, all ranks, who made up 224 Para Fd Amb. Each parachute battalion had a medical section of nineteen medical orderlies and a RMO that would jump with them: No. 1 Section with 1 Cdn Para; No. 2 Section with 8 Para and No. 3 Section with 9 Para. The majority of the MDS Party, including administrative staff and surgical teams, would parachute in with 3 Para Bde HQ along with the five-man Casualty Clearance Station (CCS) Party.

In addition five gliders were also allocated to 224 Para Fd Amb, each with a jeep, trailer and additional medical supplies. Each of the battalion medical sections would have the use of one of the gliders, and the remaining two gliders would supply the MDS.

After landing on their DZ, the plan for the 224 Para Fd Amb was to initially help clear the area of wounded and allow the Regimental Medical Officers (RMO) and sections to move off with their respective battalions. Then a temporary Advance Dressing Station (ADS) was to be set up to care for the casualties brought in from the RAP and DZ areas. Finally all those casualties needing further treatment or evacuation would be transferred to the MDS once it had been established. All heavy transport, further medical equipment, blood supplies and the remaining twenty-eight MDS personnel were to be brought in by sea to reach the MDS by 8 June.

Like many of the parachute drops that night, things did not go quite as planned for 224 Para Fd Amb. Widely scattered, the brigade MO, two RMOs, one section MO, the senior surgeon and the CO, Lieutenant Colonel D. Thompson, were all taken prisoner soon after landing. Another two section MOs were also reported missing. Subsequently command was taken over by the 2ic Major Alastair D. Young.

The dispersed drop of the medics also meant that many of the decisions made in the field, before the casualties were sent to the MDS, were made by the RAMC medical orderlies. An interesting fact is that thirty per cent of the orderlies were actually conscientious objectors. These men, despite their moral refusal to bear arms, nevertheless underwent the arduous training to become airborne troops and risked their own lives to provide medical services during the heat of battle.

By 0830hrs on D-Day Major Young had arrived at le Mesnil Farm with some RASC staff, the junior surgeon, a section MO and twenty-seven RAMC orderlies. They had made it to the farm, from the DZ, under the protection of some men from B Coy 1 Cdn Para. Upon meeting the farmer at le Mesnil, Monsieur Barberot, and explaining their medical facility plans, the French farmer immediately set about arranging accommodation for the wounded paratroopers. One room, the fromagérie, was converted into an operating theatre where a large wooden table, normally used for making cheese, was used as an operating table (the table is still at the farm).

Originally intended as 8 Para ADS, Major Young was convinced that this was a better site for the MDS, than their intended position further east. Major Young then sought and received permission from brigade HQ to set up his MDS here. By the end of the first day though, only one-third of the medical staff had arrived at the MDS. Seventy-five per cent of their equipment was still missing with much of it lost in the flooded fields of the River Dives valley.

Pte Wildman, 224 Para Fd Amb, and his Jeep at the Ferme de Mesnil. Note the casualty laid on a stretcher across the front of bonnet and two more wounded laid on the back of the jeep.

In one instance, after a glider had landed in the wrong place, an undaunted RASC driver, Lance Corporal W. Young, was preparing to drive his jeep and trailer over enemy held territory to le Mesnil; to what he thought was 8 Para’s ADS. Before he could, Major Tim Roseveare CO of 3 Para Sqn RE, commandeered his vehicle so that he and his sappers could advance quickly towards Troarn and destroy the bridge there. All the medical equipment and vital supplies of plasma were removed from the vehicle and trailer and left on the ground.

Using his initiative, Lance Corporal Young persuaded a nearby group of captured Germans, with their bicycles, to help him take the supplies over 1.5 miles (2.41km) to le Ferme de Mesnil. This ensured that during the first day of battle resuscitation of the wounded was able to continue at the MDS. For his enterprise and sense of duty he undoubtedly saved many lives and was later Mentioned in Despatches for his dedication to duty.

Captain ‘Hal’ Hudson.

With just one junior surgeon and one surgically trained orderly, only minor procedures were initially carried out. By 1700 hrs though, the anaesthetist had arrived and, despite the limited medical equipment, major surgery was carried out on those with the most desperate need. Captain ‘Hal’ Hudson, 9 Para Adjutant, who was wounded in the stomach during the raid on the Merville Battery was one of those operated on:

By the end of D-Day ten operations had been performed. ‘Hal’ Hudson was among those whose abdomen had been opened up with a cutthroat razor, the gut wound sutured and his life saved by timely surgery. When the le Mesnil results of such operations were later analysed the survival rate exceeded both expectations and previous wartime experience – a tribute both to surgical skill on site and the promptitude of casualty clearance.

LIEUTENANT RICHARD ‘BOBBY’ MARQUIS, NO. 2 SECTION MO,

224 PARA FD AMB

Brigadier James Hill had also received a wound, to his buttock, after his landing. After surgery at the Divisional HQ he later used his authority as brigade commander to refuse any further surgery which would immobilize him and might have resulted in his evacuation. Instead he took alternative treatment in the form of a large dose of anti-gas serum to prevent gas gangrene. The treatment worked. Ironically, the surgeon later received a reprimand from his own CO for not insisting on obtaining a second opinion.

All but the most urgent cases had to wait, sometimes up to twenty-four hours, before they could receive treatment. The arrival of a second surgeon and anaesthetist on 8 June helped reduce the waiting time. Plasma and blood were always in short supply and blood was not brought in with supplies until several days after D-Day. On three occasions the orderlies themselves volunteered as blood donors. One of these volunteer patients was a German medical orderly Obergefreiter Hans Kehlenbach who had been taken prisoner at the Merville Battery. All three patients to whom the blood was donated survived.

Previous to this, Obergefreiter Kehlenbach had led an RASC driver to a German strongpoint where he knew that casualties had been left. In recognition of his medical integrity Major Alastair Young recommended him for the Iron Cross Class II and passed the citation to a wounded German officer. Once again, during the fighting the British and German medical orderlies worked together tending the wounded of both sides until the eight German orderlies were eventually taken to the POW camps on 14 June.

The front line and German forces were only 500 yards (457m) away during this period. British and Canadian paratroopers were constantly engaged with the enemy by probing patrols, snipers or sporadic shell, mortar, machine-gun and small arms fire. It was therefore little surprise that, as they also shared the same building with 3 Para Bde HQ, they would be on the receiving end of enemy fire. At 1730hrs while the Germans were launching a concentrated attack towards Hérouvillette and Ranville on 9 June, machine-gun bullets were flying between the farm buildings during the two hour attack. On the following day heavy machine-gun and mortar fire meant all but essential personnel had to take cover in their slit trenches.

Obergefreiter Hans Kehlenbach, the German medical orderly who helped tend the wounded at The Merville Battery and at the le Mesnil Main Dressing Station.

On 11 and 12 June the medical personnel had to deal with the heaviest number of casualties so far, some 313 in a forty-eight hour period, mostly as a result of the attacks around the Château St Côme and Bréville. To add to their woes they were also strafed with anti-personnel bombs by the Luftwaffe as well. So close was the fighting to the MDS, during the first of these days, that 224 Para Fd Amb were unable to use their vehicle to move the wounded and had to rely on hand carriage of the wounded to the MDS.

But attacks on the MDS were not confined to enemy attacks, on 13 June, RAF Typhoon pilots circled the area and, apparently not seeing the 2ft by 20ft (0.6m by 6.1m) Geneva crosses that were prominently displayed, returned twice to strafe the MDS area with their 20mm cannons and rockets. Miraculously there was only one fatal casualty. Unfortunately it was a civilian, and the wife of the farmer who had welcomed the medical staff into his home.

Events eventually escalated into a concentrated and full blown artillery attack on the MDS by 105mm (4.14in) guns on 19 June. Taking three direct hits, two of the captured German vehicles and all their own transport, except for one ambulance car, were destroyed or put out of action. Twenty-nine year old Corporal Ben Wade, RASC, was also killed in the attack. It was then decided that the Ferme de Mesnil had served its purpose and all the medical staff and wounded were evacuated the following day.

Major Alastair Young was officially appointed Acting Lieutenant Colonel on 29 June which was to take effect, and backdated to, 7 June. He was also awarded the DSO for his service during the first month of the Normandy Campaign and officially appointed as CO of 224 Para Fd Amb.

In the first fourteen days of setting up their field ambulance at le Mesnil the surgeons and medical staff performed 112 major operations on casualties. In total 822 wounded were treated in the first two weeks of battle. Fifty-four of those treated were German POWs. Despite the problems caused by the dispersed drop and lost equipment, in the first two days only a few known casualties did not receive medical treatment at the MDS within the first twenty-four hours of D-Day. From 8 June many were being treated at the MDS within one hour of being wounded, most were treated within ten hours.

The hazardous task of recovering and treating the wounded in the heat of a battlefield inevitably took its toll on 224 Para Fd Amb. Some sixty-eight members of the unit became casualties themselves, seven of whom were reported killed. As a testament to the skill of the surgeons and medical staff only twenty-four, less than three per cent, of the 822 casualties treated by 224 Para Fd Amb died as a result of their wounds before they were able to be evacuated. For the most seriously wounded, those requiring life-saving operations, the survival rate was more than eighty-four percent. Abdominal wounds counted for over fifty per cent of fatalities.

By the end of the Normandy Campaign, on 29 August 1944, 195 Airldg Fd Amb along with 224 and 225 Para Fd Amb RAMC had performed in their respective MDS, 397 major operations in the field. Of these the majority were compound fractures, of which 108 were treated. There were also seventy-two amputations, sixty-three abdominal wounds and even an appendicitis to take care of. The three medical units treated some 7,123 wounded during the twelve weeks of fighting. Of these, a staggering 4,850 were from 6th Airborne Division alone. A total of 821 men of the division were killed, or died of wounds, and now rest in the Commonwealth war cemeteries or local churchyards in Normandy (see page Ch. 8, C).

Return to your vehicle and continue to drive along the D513 for 0.75 miles (1.21km), down the hill from the high ground, towards Hérouvillette. Take the second turning on your right onto the D513a. Some 120 yards (110m) from the junction, on your right, there is a sharp turning into a gravelled parking area. Continue along here and 60 yards (55m) on your left there is:

F. Hérouvillette

1) ‘The Pegasus Trail’ Orientation Table (3). This is the third and final table of the AANT ‘Pegasus Trail’ (see Battleground Europe book Pegasus Bridge & Horsa Bridge Ch. 6, A22 & Ch. 7, A). Look at the map on the table and this will help you identify the local landmarks. You are now standing facing north-north-west. Some 700 yards (640m) to your front, just across the D224 that runs from east to west across the open fields, is the south-eastern most sector of DZ/LZ N.

To your right, due NE, you can make out the water tower on the ridge. This is 1 mile (1.61km) away on the high ground, and 350 yards (320m) south-west from the Château St Côme. The building some 80 yards (73m) to the right of the water tower is the Bois des Monts. The tree line running downhill some 250 yards (229m) and due south-west, to the left of the water tower, is the sunken lane opposite the entrance to the Château St Côme.

Farther to the left, approximately 800 yards (731m) along the horizon from the water tower, you can see the new church tower in Bréville-les-Monts. To your front left, due north-west, the village of Ranville is approximately 1 mile (1.61km) away. To your left, due west is Hérouvillette and beyond this village, just over 2 miles (3.22km) away is the village of Longueval.

It was land between Longueval and where you now stand that was the southern front of the 6th Airborne Division’s bridgehead. The task of holding and expanding this territory was given to the men of 6 Airldg Bde who landed, at 2100hrs on the evening of D-Day, in just over 170 Horsa gliders and thirty Hamilcar gliders, on the LZ to the front of you. On landing 1 RUR moved towards their objective of Longueval while 2 Oxf Bucks prepared for their attack on the village of Hérouvillette.

A Tetrarch tank being secured inside a Hamilcar glider.

Hamilcar gliders landing on DZ/LZ N at 2100hrs on D-Day.

‘The Pegasus Trail’ Orientation Table near Hérouvillette overlooking the south-eastern side of DZ/LZ N.

The British airborne troops in this sector were up against 21 Panzer Division which had among its equipment a selection of armoured half-tracks, Mk IV Panzer tanks, SP guns and Nebelwerfers (multiple-barrelled rocket launchers). Initially, the only heavy fire that the lightly armed British airborne soldiers had in response to this was naval artillery support from two battleships and two destroyers anchored several miles off the coast. Later, 3rd Infantry Division, landing on SWORD Beach, would provide further artillery support.

There was also an additional armoured group that landed in the resupply mission at 2100hrs on D-Day. This was made up of Tetrarch tanks from 6 AARR, 75mm (2.95in) pack howitzers of 211 Airldg Lt Bty and one company of infantry from 12 Devons. This group was designated to move south after landing on LZ/DZ N, and intercept any approaching German armour.

On landing 6 AARR and 211 Airldg Lt Bty went into the history books as being the first units to ever land tanks and an artillery battery in battle by air. However, things did not go quite as planned. After landing, it was decided that the company of 12 Devons were needed more urgently elsewhere on the front. Furthermore, eleven of the Tetrarch tanks also became temporarily immobilized on landing when the discarded parachutes on the DZ became entangled around the sprockets on their tracks as they drove across the fields. These had to be burnt off through the night using blowlamps. Another incident that did not help the situation was when one Hamilcar glider crash-landed into a tank just as it was exiting from its glider, thus putting another two tanks out of action. Instead of their intended plan, 6 AARR then received orders to move off the following morning in the direction of le Mesnil and join 8 Para in the Bois de Bavent. The recce force was also used to set up a series of OPs watching the area between Ranville, Caen, Escoville and Troarn.

At 0230hrs on 7 June, 2 Oxf Bucks moved forward of 13 Para lines in Ranville to occupy Hérouvillete. C Coy occupied the western side while A and B Coy moved to occupy the eastern side. The sight that greeted the airborne troops was not pleasant.

A Tetrarch tank disabled after being struck by a landing Hamilcar glider.

Some of the paratroopers who had overshot their LZ/DZ were seen still dangling from buildings in the village where they had been shot on landing. Nevertheless, 2 Oxf Bucks managed to take their objectives by 0830hrs without encountering any enemy resistance.

Return to your vehicle and drive into Hérouvillette for some 475 yards (434m) along the D513. Take the first left turn immediately after the church. Approximately 100 yards (91m) on your left there are some parking spaces. On the wall to the right of the gateway there is a stone;

2) Memorial Plaque to 2 Oxf Bucks. This plaque was unveiled in June 1947 and is dedicated to the men of 2 Oxf Bucks who fought at Pegasus Bridge, Escoville, Hérouvillette, Bréville-les-Monts and the advance to the River Seine. It also pays homage to the local French people who helped this unit. The gateway to the left leads into:

3) Hérouvillette Communal Cemetery. Enter the cemetery and follow the footpath to your right. At the far end of the cemetery are twenty-seven graves of men from the 6th Airborne Division. Thirteen of these men are from 2 Oxf Bucks killed on 7, 9, 10 and 25 June, Two are from the RASC killed on 8 and 12 June and twelve are from The Parachute Regiment; eleven killed on 6 June and one from 7 Para killed on 16 June.

Of those killed on 6 June four were from 12 Para, three from 8 Para and one from 7 Para. Seven of those who are now buried here were the subject of a war crimes trial in 1947. Although the identities of the victims have remained unknown, Unteroffizer Karl Finkenrath was initially trialled for the murder of five unarmed prisoners in the grounds of the nearby stud farm le Ferme du Lieu Haras, situated 450 yards (411m) to the north-west of the communal cemetery, on the edge of Hérouvillette (the farm is still there today).

The trial was the result of eyewitness accounts and statements from local villagers and, later sworn statements from other members of Unteroffizier Finkenrath’s own unit the 223 man strong Pionier Battalon 716. However, although he admitted to only shooting two prisoners he also offered mitigating circumstances in that he was acting under orders. With insufficient evidence to prove that he was responsible for all five murders, he was nevertheless convicted of the two murders he admitted to; after the presiding judges dismissed his claim that he was acting under orders. He was sentenced to death by hanging and after his appeal failed he was executed on 9 June 1948 in Germany.

Return to your vehicle and to the junction onto the D513a. Turn left and at the next junction, some 90 yards (82m) along the road, continue left along the D513a. After 310 yards (283m) turn left onto the Rue d’Escoville (D37) and continue for 1,000 yards (914m) into Escoville. Stop after the church on your right. This area is named:

G. Escoville

1) Place Six Juin 1944. In front of the church on the grassed area there is the black granite:

2) Escoville Memorial to the British Liberators. Escoville was the most southerly objective of 2 Oxf Bucks. The CO, Lieutenant Colonel Michael W. Roberts, badly damaged his leg during his glider landing and his 2ic, Major Mark Darrell-Brown, assumed command of the regiment. At 2300hrs on 6 June orders were received for 2 Oxf Bucks to move up to Ranville which was presently occupied by 13 Para ready for moving forward into Hérouvillette and Escoville. After occupying Hérouvillette in the early hours of 7 June, C Coy remained in the village while patrols from A and B Coy moved up towards Escoville from the north at 0830hrs. Expecting heavy resistance, they were initially surprised that the village was clear except for some snipers. By 1030hrs the two leading companies had reached the village and were digging in. They were followed by Major John Howard’s D Coy and RHQ. C Coy continued to remain in Hérouvillette.

Escoville Church and Memorial.

It was as 2 Oxf Bucks tried to advance and take the château, situated to the north-west side of the village (it was later destroyed in the fighting and has not been rebuilt), that they came under heavy fire from mortars and SP guns. The château was to be RHQ but they were only able to get about 100 yards (91m) north of the building.

The men of 2 Oxf Bucks did not have enough time to establish coordinated defensive positions, before the Germans put in a heavy counter-attack at 1500hrs. An infantry attack, supported by armoured vehicles and tanks, was added to the mortar and SP gun fire. But the ground 2 Oxf Bucks was holding was not suitable for defence. The situation was becoming desperate as the two forward companies became heavily engaged with the advancing armoured German attack. In addition, there was also a possibility that 2 Oxf Bucks positions could be outflanked as Ste-Honerine-la-Chardronette, just over 1 mile (1.61km) to the west, was still under enemy control.

Grenadiers of 22 Regiment, 21 Panzer Division in action near Cabourg.

After requesting, and being granted, permission from 6 Airldg Bde the regiment withdrew to the highest piece of ground in Hérouvillette. C Coy acted as rearguard protection while parts of A and D Coy remained engaged with the enemy. For a short period the two companies became cut off. In response, B Coy reformed some 400yds (366m) north of the village and launched their own counter-attack on the German lines to help the two forward companies withdraw. By 1700hrs the regiment had taken up its defensive positions in Hérouvillette and were digging in.

C Coy launched another attack into Escoville at just after noon on 9 June. Again, after some initial heavy fighting, the Germans counter-attacked in force at 1730hrs with infantry, tanks, and armoured cars supported by SP and mortar fire. Enemy ME109 aircraft also made an appearance and carried out a strafing attack on 2 Oxf Bucks. Two German tanks were knocked out in the battle and were left smouldering as both sides eventually withdrew from the village leaving it a No Man’s Land. The day’s engagement on 9 June cost 2 Oxf Bucks forty casualties. By 10 June, after just five days of fighting, 2 Oxf Bucks had sustained a total of 218 casualties.

Major John Howard, commanding D Coy, had initially come under the command of 7 Para during the early hours of 6 June, after they had successfully taken the river and canal bridges. Later that evening, control and command of the bridges was relinquished to the seaborne unit of 2nd Battalion The Royal Warwickshire Regiment (2 Warwicks) of 3rd Infantry Division that had landed on SWORD Beach.

When Major Howard joined the rest of the regiment at Ranville he was pleased to be greeted by the remainder of the coup de main force from glider No. 4 (see Ch. 8, A). They had managed, despite accidently landing at the bridge over the River Dives near Varaville, to make their way to their rendezvous at Ranville. After leaving the captured bridges Major Howard and his men, like all the other specialized units after D-Day, found themselves fighting the war as infantry. Paying the inevitable costs and enduring the suffering that befell all infantrymen at the sharp end.

Of the 180 men Major Howard had in his coup de main party on D-Day, all the sappers were returned to their respective units. The glider pilots were sent back to England and No. 14 and No. 17 Platoon were returned to B Coy. This left Major Howard down to some 100 men. In the next four days of fighting his company was reduced to less than fifty.

Major Howard was also wounded during the fighting. The first time was during the fighting for Escoville on 7 June. While visiting his forward platoon to establish the situation Major Howard peered out from behind a stone wall with his binoculars. There was a loud sharp crack of gunfire and Major Howard was thrown back onto the ground. Blood immediately began to pour from beneath his helmet. Still alive he was quickly manhandled back to the RAP for treatment. The bullet had amazingly only grazed the top of his head with a superficial, if very bloody, wound.

Major Howard, in his published work The Pegasus Diaries, put his lucky escape down to the length of his hair:

The sniper’s fatal accuracy had pierced my helmet from front to back, the bullet actually grazing the top of my head. Photographs of me ‘in the field’ would show that my hair was particularly abundant on the top of my head at that time. A man with less hair would have been killed. As it was I could legitimately claim to have had my hair parted for me by the Germans

MAJOR JOHN HOWARD, D COY 2 OXF BUCKS

Major John Howard.

His steel helmet can now be seen in the Memorial Pegasus Museum (see Battleground Europe book Pegasus Bridge & Horsa Bridge Ch. 6, B). Beyond the memorial there is:

3) Escoville Church & Churchyard. In the churchyard there is a single grave of twenty-two year old Private William Sydney Wilkins, of 2 Oxf Bucks, who was killed in the fighting on 7 June.

Drive back for 1,000 yards (914m) along Rue d’Escoville (D37) into Hérouvillette and turn left onto the Avenue de Caen (D513a). After 450 yards (411m) take the first exit at the roundabout and continue due south-west along the D514. After 1 mile (1.61km) you will pass through the village of St-Honorine-la-Chardronette. Continue for 700 yards (640m) and take the next right onto Avenue Léon Blum (D223). Continue for over 1 mile (1.61km) towards the factory with the red and white marked chimney and take the next left before the factory onto the Route du Park. Approximately 1,100 yards (1005m) on your right, in Longueval, beside the road, there is:

A knocked-out Panzer IV.

H. Longueval

1) 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles Memorial. This memorial is one of two memorials in Normandy that were erected as part of The Royal Ulster Rifles Memorials Project in 1996. Organised and conducted by Belfastman David Ashe, the project was conceived as a result of discussions with 1 RUR veteran Bill McConnell and 2 RUR veterans Tommy Sharpe and Stanley Burrows; during which they had expressed their sadness that there were no memorials in Normandy to their regiment and fallen comrades.

With the assistance of Billy Sharpe, Sam Topping, Paul Higginson and Fionnuala Rogan the project group raised funding for the memorials within several months through the generosity of many people in Northern Ireland and through the support of the RUR Association, Royal British Legion and ex-service organisations. The black marble plaques on the memorials were made and donated by stonemason John Gamble from Ballymena, the home town of the RUR, in County Antrim.

In France, Marc Jacquinot, the former director of the Memorial Pegasus Memorial Museum, liaised with the local mayors and secured the support of local residents and the final location of the memorials. A retired local stonemason, Raymond Hamard, made the memorials from locally quarried granite; as a young boy in 1944 he had witnessed the glider landings on the evening of D-Day.

The memorial at Longueval was unveiled and dedicated on 7 June 1996 by 1 RUR veteran Rifleman Bill McConnell and other veterans along with: Monsieur M Bouilly, Mayor of Longueval; Major General Purdon, CBE MC CPM, Honorary Colonel of the regiment; The RUR Memorial Project Group, Marc Jacquinot and many others.

The second memorial, dedicated to 2 RUR, was unveiled on 9 June near the CWGC Cemetery at Cambes-en-Plaine.

1 RUR, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Carson, landed on the evening of D-Day as part of Brigadier The Hon Hugh Kindersley’s 6 Airldg Bde. It was imperative that this low ridge starting on the bank of the River Orne at Longueval was taken, since the Germans who held this position had a clear view of the River Orne Valley and the two bridges over the river and canal between Bénouville and Ranville.

Attacking during the night 1 RUR had taken the village by first light on 7 June. Later that morning an attack was put in towards the village of Ste-Honorine-la-Chardronette, but elements of 21 Panzer Division forced them back with a counter-attack using tanks and SP guns. 1 RUR took up defensive positions around Longueval and continued to defend this isolated area for the next seven days, during which time they were under near constant shell and mortar fire from the Germans who held the ground to their front and both flanks.

Casualties for 1 RUR were heavy during their first full day in action sustaining a total of 142 casualties. Eventually, on 13 June, 1 RUR began to relocate and moved up to relieve 12 Para and 12 Devons at the Bréville crossroads. Their move was completed by the following day by which stage they had sustained a total of 226 casualties since landing in Normandy.

During the fighting, all along the front, operational communications had to be maintained by the Royal Signals. This was required in order to provide adequate artillery and mortar support for the infantry. Twenty-two year old Captain Geoffrey Proudman, Royal Signals, had nearly fifty men in his troop and was tasked with providing part of this communication link. During the first day Captain Proudman lost twelve men during the fighting, but was nevertheless still able to establish, and maintain, the vital lines between the battalions.

In total they laid nearly eighty miles of assault cable during the first forty-eight hours of the battle alone. This small unit also set up a direct Morse code link back to Britain to help with resupply. Finally the signallers attempted to utilize the existing telephone lines.

During the Battle for Bréville I decided to see if the French P&T wires were working and perhaps could be used. On climbing a telegraph pole on the edge of town we keyed in and heard Germans from 21 Panzer Division speaking; we cut the wire and connected a pedal-driven generator – someone got a huge shock!

CAPTAIN GEOFFREY PROUDMAN, ROYAL SIGNALS, 6 AIRLDG BDE

Captain Proudman was later temporarily blinded and severely concussed after a mortar bomb landed near him. Having already received a MID for his conduct on D-Day, he was also later awarded the Military Cross for his actions.

The tour can be continued by following the directions in the next chapter.