1st Special Service Brigade, D-Day and Beyond, Part 3

In theory, Sixth Airborne Division holds the ground between the Orne bridges and the brigade's allocated area.

That area lies on the extreme left flank of British Second Army.

In practice, the ground is far from secure.

The route climbs out of the Orne Valley and crosses the edge of Drop Zone N.

It proves only marginally less dangerous than the march inland from the beach.

The cycle troops lead the brigade away from the bridges.

These are commandos mounted on folding bicycles brought ashore for exactly this task.

Number Six Commando and Number 45 Royal Marine Commando provide them.

Number Three Commando's cycle element joins the advance under different circumstances.

Number Three Commando's main body is held up at Colleville-sur-Orne.

Heavy shelling and continuous sniping stop its progress.

Rather than wait, Three Troop is sent forward on cycles independently.

The troop crosses the bridges at 1400.

Orders reach it almost at once.

It is to go to the assistance of Ninth Parachute Battalion.

Otway's men are holding positions outside Le Plein against stiff enemy resistance.

Elsewhere, the brigade is still moving.

Brigade Headquarters, Number Six Commando, and Number 45 Royal Marine Commando push for the high ground Behind them, to the south of the airborne bridgehead, a serious threat is developing.

21st Panzer Division is on the move.

The brigade report records what follows.

Number Three Commando's main body reaches the bridges at approximately fifteen thirty.

There it is diverted on the instructions of Airborne Division.

The commando is to take up a defensive position near Le Bas de Ranville and protect division headquarters.

One of Lovat's units is now committed elsewhere.

The original plan can no longer be executed.

In theory, Sixth Airborne Division holds the ground between the Orne bridges and the brigade's allocated area.

That area lies on the extreme left flank of British Second Army.

In practice, the ground is far from secure.

The route climbs out of the Orne Valley and crosses the edge of Drop Zone N.

It proves only marginally less dangerous than the march inland from the beach.

The cycle troops lead the brigade away from the bridges.

These are commandos mounted on folding bicycles brought ashore for exactly this task.

Number Six Commando and Number 45 Royal Marine Commando provide them.

Number Three Commando's cycle element joins the advance under different circumstances.

Number Three Commando's main body is held up at Colleville-sur-Orne.

Heavy shelling and continuous sniping stop its progress.

Rather than wait, Three Troop is sent forward on cycles independently.

The troop crosses the bridges at 1400.

Orders reach it almost at once.

It is to go to the assistance of Ninth Parachute Battalion.

Otway's men are holding positions outside Le Plein against stiff enemy resistance.

Elsewhere, the brigade is still moving.

Brigade Headquarters, Number Six Commando, and Number 45 Royal Marine Commando push for the high ground Behind them, to the south of the airborne bridgehead, a serious threat is developing.

21st Panzer Division is on the move.

The brigade report records what follows.

Number Three Commando's main body reaches the bridges at approximately fifteen thirty.

There it is diverted on the instructions of Airborne Division.

The commando is to take up a defensive position near Le Bas de Ranville and protect division headquarters.

One of Lovat's units is now committed elsewhere.

The original plan can no longer be executed.