D-Day: Commonwealth Sectors

11. Assault glider landing

Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandie

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As the assault was about to start the third glider, under fire from the battery and out of control, crashed near the orchard to the east of the complex and its men, safely exited the wreckage and joined the fight, charging a machine gun position Over the next 20 minutes there was fierce hand to hand fighting as the soldiers over-powered their enemy. Once the target had been secured the men went about disabling the guns. Having lost their heavy demolition charges the troops improvised explosives that put the howitzers out of action. At this point Otway orders the yellow flair be launched that signals success. The men now only have 15 minutes to rapidly evacuate Merville before HMS Arethusa, sitting just off the coast, opens fire on Merville.