The daring midnight mission on D-Day led by Major John Howard's Coup de Main party to capture strategic bridges underscores the bravery, sacrifice, and pivotal actions of the 6th Airborne Division, meticulously detailed through research and firsthand accounts. 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 valor, sacrifice, humor 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. Table of Contents Contents Foreword Preface To The Revised & Updated Edition Acknowledgements Chapter 1 Planning Chapter 2 Bugle Horns And Para Wings Chapter 3 The Divisional Plan And Glider (Exercise ‘Deadstick’) Training Chapter 4 Resistance Activities Chapter 5 Final Planning And Transit Camps Chapter 6 Departure Chapter 7 The Coup De Main Operation Chapter 8 Arrival Of The 5th Parachute Brigade Chapter 9 German Reaction At The Bridges Chapter 10 Moving Into Ranville Chapter 11 The Morning At Benouville And The Bridges Chapter 12 The Morning In The Ranville Area Chapter 13 Seaborne Arrivals At The Bridges Chapter 14 The Remainder Of The Day Appendix A - COMPOSITION OF THE COUP DE MAIN PARTY Appendix B – CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES INVOLVING THE COUP DE MAIN OPERATION Appendix C - COUP DE MAIN GLIDER Appendix D – ISSUES INVOLVING THE 7TH PARACHUTE BATTALION Appendix E – WHO WAS FIRST TO THE BRIDGE? – THE ARRIVAL OF THE COMMANDOS AND SEABORNE ENGINEERS 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 Appendix H – THE DEFENCE OF THE BRIDGES BY THE 92ND LAA Appendix J – HOW THE NAVAL BOMBARDMENT CAPABILITY (FOOs) BECAME ATTACHED TO AIRBORNE FORCES Appendix K – THE BUILDING OF THE BAILEY BRIDGES Appendix L - GERMAN ISSUES Footnotes Sources & Bibliography “The 80th Anniversary Edition of Neil Barber’s “Pegasus Bridge” is an achievement of the highest order and a tribute to the men of the 6th Airborne Division and their actions during Operation Tonga at the beginning of Normandy invasion… Exceedingly well done and highly recommended.” ARGunners.com Neil Barber is the author of two of the most detailed books on their subjects; The Day the Devils Dropped In, relates the 9th Parachute Battalion’s D-Day assault on the Merville Battery and the vital battle at the Chateau St Come; and The Pegasus and Orne Bridges, which details the D-Day capture, defense and relief of Pegasus Bridge and its sister bridge across the river Orne. He has also edited two biographies; Stan Scott’s Fighting with the Commandos and Captain David Tibbs’ Parachute Doctor.