D-Day: Commonwealth Sectors

14. Bridges across the Dives

Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandie

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The paratroopers and engineers of the 1st Canadian Paratroops and British 8th Parachute Battalion were tasked with preventing the Germans from reinforcing the troops defending the beaches in their sector by blowing five bridges that crossed the River Dives and its tributary. Preventing the enemy reaching the beaches in numbers was just as important as landing as once the Germans knew Normandy was the battlefield all hell would break loose, so time was of the essence. From their drop zones the troops gathered together and made their way to the crossings. Each team was made up of engineers to lay the charges and detonate them and troops to protect the engineers as they mined the bridges.