D-day Landing tours
6th Airborne & Commando Tour
Useful information
- 1 day
- 8 people maximum
- mandatory reservation
6th Airborne & Commando Tour
Pegasus Bridge. The glider assault on the Pegasus and Horsa Bridges is one of the most daring and courageous action of WW11. Lead by Major John Howard, the 2nd Oxs & Bucks D company started the D-day invasion. Hold until relieved . One of D-days most successful missions. They successfully captured both bridges .
Supported by the 7th Battalion west of the bridges, 12th Battalion to the south ,13th Battalion to the east the fought off all attempts by the 21st Panzer division soldiers to capture the bridges. Le Port & Benouville Visit the villages defended by the 7th Battalion. As they battle to hold the German counteracts on D-day while waiting for the arrival of Lord Lovat’s Commandos from Sword Beach and seaborne infantry.
Pegasus Memorial Museum. For a small fee 6 euro . One can visit what guides say is the best museum in Normandy. An incredible display including the original bridge.
Ranville and Ranville Cemetery. The first town liberated by 13th battalion, 6th Airborne. Visit the positions held by the 12th Battalion in Bas Ranville as they battled to hold the German counteracts. Visit the Cemetery, a truly moving experience walking amongst the graves of over 2400 soldiers. Walk round the church cemetery where the first casualties were buried including Lt D Brotheridge. Considered to be the first Allied casualty on D-day. Shot in the neck on Pegasus Bridge. See the beautiful stained glass windows in the church.
Supported by the 7th Battalion west of the bridges, 12th Battalion to the south ,13th Battalion to the east the fought off all attempts by the 21st Panzer division soldiers to capture the bridges. Le Port & Benouville Visit the villages defended by the 7th Battalion. As they battle to hold the German counteracts on D-day while waiting for the arrival of Lord Lovat’s Commandos from Sword Beach and seaborne infantry.
Pegasus Memorial Museum. For a small fee 6 euro . One can visit what guides say is the best museum in Normandy. An incredible display including the original bridge.
Ranville and Ranville Cemetery. The first town liberated by 13th battalion, 6th Airborne. Visit the positions held by the 12th Battalion in Bas Ranville as they battled to hold the German counteracts. Visit the Cemetery, a truly moving experience walking amongst the graves of over 2400 soldiers. Walk round the church cemetery where the first casualties were buried including Lt D Brotheridge. Considered to be the first Allied casualty on D-day. Shot in the neck on Pegasus Bridge. See the beautiful stained glass windows in the church.
Breville Ridge/ chateau St Come. Who holds Breville will dominate the battlefield. Rommel’s comment about the ridge line . The views over the battlefields are outstanding. This area saw some of the hardest fighting in the first days of the invasion . The 6th Airborne and 1st Special Services, Lord Lovat’s commandos held all German attacks . Breville was liberated 12th June . Completely destroyed. The remains of the church are evidence of the ferocity of the battle.
Merville Battery. German strong point overlooking Sword beach from the east. It could cause untold damage during the landings. The task of neutralising the battery feel to the 9th Battalion, 6th Airborne. In the chaos of war nothing went right in the landings. Less than one quarter of the paratroopers reached the rendez vous . The assault on the battery goes down as one of the most outstanding assaults in the Parachute Regiment history.
Herouvillette & Escoville. On the 7th June 2nd Oxs & Bucks were ordered to take Herouvillette and Escoville. Moving forward to Escoville the 2st Panzer division soldiers attacked with artillery, tanks and armoured cars. One can still see the battle scars on the buildings today. Hear how the Oxs & Bucks fought off the German counteracts.
Merville Battery. German strong point overlooking Sword beach from the east. It could cause untold damage during the landings. The task of neutralising the battery feel to the 9th Battalion, 6th Airborne. In the chaos of war nothing went right in the landings. Less than one quarter of the paratroopers reached the rendez vous . The assault on the battery goes down as one of the most outstanding assaults in the Parachute Regiment history.
Herouvillette & Escoville. On the 7th June 2nd Oxs & Bucks were ordered to take Herouvillette and Escoville. Moving forward to Escoville the 2st Panzer division soldiers attacked with artillery, tanks and armoured cars. One can still see the battle scars on the buildings today. Hear how the Oxs & Bucks fought off the German counteracts.
