I am still not sure if I am resurrecting too many old griefs, and too much agonising memories, I will carry on a little longer and hope I do not cause heart cahe anywhere.

Pegasus Bridge!
Blood soaked Pegasus Bridge.
.
Pegasus Bridge! The bridge that spanned the Orne Canal was of vital importance, it was the only link between the Airborne forces and Third British Infantry Division that had landed on "Sword Beach" the most important conduit between two separated fighting groups in Normandy. It was absolutely vital that tanks would be available to assist the Airborne to repel any Enemy counterattack, without armoured support, they would have been overrun for certain. When we arrived at the bridge the bodies of the Airborne were still laying about where they had fallen. I can recall how impressed I was by how close to the bridge the gliders of this task force had landed in pressing home their attack. What a brave and heroic attack! Indeed, one of the gliders was very close to the actual bridge approach on the far, or East bank. I have seen films about D Day, and the scene where they assaulted with gliders was not right! One of those gliders landed much closer to the bridge than in the film! In the early of the invasion, there had been some doubt about the capability of Pegasus bridge to support the weight of tanks, and indeed, whether the bridge might have collapsed under the strain of such heavy loads.

Our Colonel ‘Tiger’ (A name he richly deserved) we had been told, had forbidden tanks to use the bridge in case of its collapse, the argument being that if the bridge were to go, then the supply line into the Airborne areas would be cut, leaving them stranded. By the way, Tiger was renowned for having his own private war with the Enemy, sometimes to be seen crawling back towards the forward infantry, and legend has it, without his driver and signaler.

Elements of my company 246 Field Co R.E. because of the danger to the bridge, were drafted in and assisted in rafting and building tidal bridges over the Orne, as a back up to the existing bridge. The Enemy wanted that bridge back, no matter what.

To that end, there was a lot of sniping, shell and mortar fire, making the rafting and bridging a very hazardous operation, not helped by Luftwaff pressing home very determined and continuous air raids, carried out at very low level, air attacks that resulted in 17 planes being shot down in the area, mostly by ground fire. (It is claimed) Every rifle, Bren gun, and Sten, opened up on these low flying German fighters as they came in, determined to press home their attack. In one instance during this operation, one of the platoons engaged in the bridging came under such heavy fire that they had to withdraw, 2 platoon (Mine !)took up the challenge and finished the job.

The Enemy shell and mortar fire succeeded in holing some of the pontoons, but someone had the foresight to fill them with empty Jerry cans before we left England, this prevented them from foundering completely, and enabled us to replace the damaged pontoons much quicker, by floating them in and out while still under heavy artillery fire. One of the bank sites for a "tidal" bridge came under such severe artillery fire at one time that we were forced to move to a different site. To make things even more difficult while we were engaged in the rafting and bridging, we had to break off at times and defend the bridge from direct Enemy attack. He wanted that bridge back any cost, But, he did not get it.

I dug my fox hole on the Western bank and about 40 yards to the South, when watching TV one day, I saw that the bank has trees growing along the bank .so my foxhole can no longer be there! Shame! I have heard how the family from the café close by, took part in helping our men, with great respect and from what I can remember, I never even saw the place, we had little time to pay attention to civilians, let alone café's.

Later, and while the bridges were being constructed, the Germans put in a determined armoured counter attack to drive the Airborne into the sea. Consequently those under attack desperately needed tank support, a squadron of tanks arrived at the bridge to give the armoured support, only to find themselves staring across a road over the bridge they could not use. Our officer climbed down under the bridge and investigated the end supports to see if the bridge had "end packing" finding that the Germans had strengthened the bridge, he told the tank commanders that they could cross. The tank men still not happy about the situation, hesitated, then, when our officer offered to sit on the front of the leading tank, they were convinced, they all drove over, Lt M Edwards, sitting on the front of the lead tank! later, the armour returned with their hessian camouflage smoldering, having driven off the counter attack.

During the assault bridging operation sniper fire was a constant menace. Sometimes they would leave a sniper behind when they retreated. Very often hidden somewhere in our sector. A careful watch was mounted and the R E units tired of being subjected to small arms fire, broke off the bridging operations, located the whereabouts of a sniper in a church spire, sent out a fighting patrol and got the bastard, much to everyone's satisfaction. There would be no throwing down his rifle and surrendering for this one.
Sapper.