Pegasus Bridge

I won't bore you with all the details, but just post the highlights of my recent grip to France. 

I visited the Normandy Beaches about 10 years ago and have gathered things have changed in that time such as established museums being updated and new museums being built. I have been talking the trip over with my youngest son Ben but that trip might be some way off due to his work and family commitments so I thought a recce would be in order.

Starting at Pegasus Bridge, this was the extreme eastern edge of the landing grounds and had to taken and held by the British in the small hours of D Day. It was to be the main breakout point for the allies so the occupying Germans had to be overcome and stopped from blowing it up.

After months of training, the 6th Airborne landed their gliders within 50 meters of the bridge. This would have been a remarkable achievement in daylight after many practice runs but this was done first time in the dark over enemy occupied France. The bridge and its sister bridge were taken in the first ten minutes and held until reinforcements arrived later in the day. It is well documented so if you're interested, find it on line.

The existing bridge is a replacement in the original style... 

...but, following pressure, the original bridge has been preserved in the grounds of the museum. A very well informed and enthusiastic young guide illuminated the scene on the night of 6 June 1944.

The museum is a fantastic dedication to the men who fought at the bridge; not only those that lived to tell the tale but also those who died. One person in particular stands out. As the landing force ran over the bridge to take out the small defending sentries, Lt Den Brotheridge was mortally wounded in the neck. 

He was buried in the nearby Ranville civilian cemetery as the military cemetery had not been started at that point. He was the first man to die on D Day and didn't live to see his soon to be born baby girl.  His daughter has been back many times to pay respect to the father she never knew. Moving stuff.

A full sized replica of the Horsa glider is also on display. None of the original gliders still exist; they were designed to be used only once and after the landings they were stripped by locals for fire wood and mementos.

This is a 'must see' place on any trip to the Beaches - you cannot fail to be impressed by the bravery and tenacity of the men involved.

Oh, and don't forget to pop into the Cafe Gondree for some refreshments!