First Battle Action on D-Day | Operation Deadstick | Paratroopers in WW2

On the 6th of June 1944, D-Day commenced. The largest amphibious operation in history marked the start of the liberation of Europe from the Nazis. That day, over 130.000 Allied soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy to liberate Western Europe.

►Consider Supporting HoH: https://www.patreon.com/HouseofHistory
►My Twitter: https://twitter.com/HouseofHistory1

The night before D-Day, another daring and dangerous mission took place. Six Halifax bombers towed six Airspeed Horsa gliders from Dorset across the English channel. They were to land 150 British paratroopers near 2 bridges in France that were of vital strategic importance once D-Day would commence. These men were dropped behind enemy lines and would have to not just capture the bridges, but prevent the Germans from blowing them up and hold out until they would eventually be relieved by the troops storming the beaches of Normandy… if these troops would even manage to break through the German defences.

The honour of this incredibly dangerous mission was given to the British D-company in what has become known as “Operation Deadstick”, the first Allied action of D-Day.

My videos tend to get arbitrarily demonetized. That is why I decided to open up a Patreon where people can support the channel. If you decide to pledge as little as 1$/month you will gain access to a monthly series exclusive to my Patrons!

Time Codes:

Watch my documentary series:

►End of Empire - Downfall of the Qing Dynasty playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLazn7eofVtjLnVJY6NyQX8JlVApf40DLs

►World War 2 playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLazn7eofVtjLYTXde713nRftdAPj7YW_a

►Hitler's Spies playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLazn7eofVtjJGQ4c1q7mQhTh5vM54_17o

World War 2 playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLazn7eofVtjLYTXde713nRftdAPj7YW_a

The content of this video covers events, people or concepts via a lecture-style presentation that is educational and historical in nature. Every video is original content by House of History. The events relating to conflict in this video are portrayed in their historical context without either value judgment or an ideological message attached to it. There is no intent to shock, upset or disgust. The goal of my channel is to make interesting lecture-style videos, no more, no less.

Thank you for taking the time to check out House of History, I hope you will find the films informative, interesting and enjoyable!

The 6 Horsa gliders that were towed on the eve of D-Day were a small part of a massive operation. Preceding the invasion of Normandy a giant airborne operation by the Allied Powers commenced. The troops in the Horsas were there to protect the flanks of the allied troops that mainly stormed Sword beach at Normandy and intercept German reinforcements that would undoubtedly rush towards the landing areas for D-Day from inland Europe once it became clear what was going on. Their main mission was to seize and prevent the Germans from blowing up two bridges: the bridge over the Caen canal and one over the River Orne. These bridges would allow the British troops to enter the French mainland after they had secured the beaches of Normandy.

A few months earlier, on May 2nd, Major John Howard was tasked with the secret operation. He was told he had to secure those 2 bridges. The rivers were located right next to Sword beach, where the British army would land. The 150 men of D Company of the 2nd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry regiment were selected for the mission, with pilots from the Glider Pilot Regiment.

Howard realized the danger of the mission. It was very well possible that over half of the men would not even reach the bridges, let alone be able to take them. As such, he arranged the six gliders that were used for the mission all had 1 platoon and 5 engineers on board. Each platoon was supposed to be able to carry out the tasks of the other platoons as well - in case an entire platoon wouldn’t make it.

If you have any feedback, questions or criticism feel free to leave a comment. Your opinion truly aids me in improving the content of the channel! If you have a question, feel free to leave a comment and I will either write a reply, answer your question in a Q&A video, or make an entire video about it!

Sources:

AMBROSE, S.E., Pegasus Bridge, Pocket Books, London, 2003.
COLLIER, R., D-day, The Orion Publishing Group, London, 2002.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pegasus-Bridge-Caen-France
https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/d-day/figures
Photos, paintings and imagery: Public Domain, Wikicommons

#HouseofHistory #History #WW2

Видео First Battle Action on D-Day | Operation Deadstick | Paratroopers in WW2 канала House of History