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? Join author, Neil Barber, in the Museum at 7pm on Monday 27th January to find out more. Neil will be signing copies of his latest book, 'Pegasus Bridge: The Capture, Defence and Relief of the Caen Canal and River Orne Bridges on D-Day'.
If you are unable to be there on the night, buy an online pass to watch live and join in the Q&A, or watch on catch up afterwards. Simply select a session - this is a requirement of our online ticketing system, but it doesn't matter which session you select because you can watch the lecture at any time from 7pm on Monday 27th January. You will be sent a link to the page where you'll be able to view the lecture.
Please note, all content of lectures are based on the research and views of the guest speakers.
The Museum is an independent charity and all proceeds from this event go towards supporting the work we do in preserving the history of British Army aviation.