- ホーム
- > 洋書
- > 英文書
- > History / World
Full Description
Midnight, D-Day 6th June 1944\. Under the cover of darkness, six wooden gliders containing Major John Howard's Coup de Main party, head towards two strategic bridges spanning the Caen Canal and River Orne. They are tasked with their capture, the very first action of D-Day. Once these flimsy aircraft are down, whatever happens, the men know that they will be totally alone for a crucial period, awaiting the inevitable German reaction. Could Howard's Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry hold on long enough for the arrival of Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Pine-Coffin's 7th Parachute Battalion, entrusted with expanding the small defensive bridgehead into Benouville.
Could these and further elements of the 6th Airborne Division, landing and holding Ranville just to the east, prevent the recapture of the bridges and hold on until the arrival of the seaborne relief? These were the crucial questions for the Division on D-Day.
History now tells us that the whole operation was indeed a brilliant achievement, with the capture of the bridges being one of the Second World War's most legendary actions, but what actually happened and what did those involved have to do to ensure that the whole day was a success?
'Pegasus Bridge' gets to the heart of this in unprecedented detail. Employing meticulous study, research and first-hand accounts acquired over three decades, the author places the reader 'on the ground' with the men themselves; in their training, the flight across the channel, the glider landings, the parachute drop and ultimately wherever the fighting occurred, be it at the bridges, in Benouville or Ranville. This is complemented by a trove of photographs of the men themselves, making it a poignant record for posterity.
Step into the pages of 'Pegasus Bridge' and embark on a journey of valour, sacrifice, humour and the unwavering 'Go To It' spirit of those who defied the odds.
'Pegasus Bridge' is a fitting tribute to the soldiers' achievement and sacrifice.
Contents
Contents v
Foreword vii
Preface To The Revised & Updated Edition 1
Acknowledgements 3
Chapter 1 Planning 7
Chapter 2 Bugle Horns And Para Wings 11
Chapter 3 The Divisional Plan And Glider (Exercise 'Deadstick') Training 29
Chapter 4 Resistance Activities 41
Chapter 5 Final Planning And Transit Camps 49
Chapter 6 Departure 71
Chapter 7 The Coup De Main Operation 85
Chapter 8 Arrival Of The 5th Parachute Brigade 121
Chapter 9 German Reaction At The Bridges 145
Chapter 10 Moving Into Ranville 171
Chapter 11 The Morning At Benouville And The Bridges. 189
Chapter 12 The Morning In The Ranville Area. 229
Chapter 13 Seaborne Arrivals At The Bridges. 251
Chapter 14 The Remainder Of The Day. 271
Appendix A - COMPOSITION OF THE COUP DE MAIN PARTY 303
Appendix B - CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES INVOLVING THE COUP DE MAIN OPERATION 311
Appendix C - COUP DE MAIN GLIDER 94 323
Footnotes: 329
Appendix D - ISSUES INVOLVING THE 7TH PARACHUTE BATTALION 331
Appendix E - WHO WAS FIRST TO THE BRIDGE ? - THE ARRIVAL OF THE COMMANDOS AND
SEABORNE ENGINEERS 337
Appendix F - THE 12TH PARACHUTE BATTALION'S FORWARD HEDGE AT LE BAS DE RANVILLE
Appendix G - THE TANK ATTACK ON THE RING CONTOUR ON 7TH JUNE 347
Appendix H - THE DEFENCE OF THE BRIDGES BY THE 92ND LAA 349
Appendix J - HOW THE NAVAL BOMBARDMENT CAPABILITY (FOOs) BECAME ATTACHED TO
AIRBORNE FORCES 351
Appendix K - THE BUILDING OF THE BAILEY BRIDGES 353
Appendix L - GERMAN ISSUES
Footnotes 359
Sources & Bibliography 397
