PART I
EXTRACTS FROM REPORT ON OPERATIONS,
6 AIRBORNE DIVISION
5 JUN T0 3 SEP 44

MAPS FRANCE GSGS 2738 1/250000 Sheet 3A and 8 )
GSGS 4042 1/250000 Sheet 7 )
GSGS 4250 1/50000 Sheet 7F/2 )
1/25000 Sheets 40/16 NE, SE, SW, NW
Sheets 40/18 SE, SW

I - PLANNING

1. INTRODUCTION

On 17 Feb orders were received to place a Para Bde and one A Tk Bty under comd of 3 Br InfDiv to plan for an op on the continent. The task given was to seize, intact if possible, the bridges over the R ORNE and the CAEN canal, near RANVILLE 1173. 3 Para Bde was select- ed- for this task. The size of the force was limited by the numbers of aircraft that could be allotted to the Brit Airborne effort. By 25 Feb however the whole of 38 Gp and 46 Gp aircraft were made available: thus a divisional op became possible.

On 24 Feb 6 Airborne Div was placed under comd 1 Corps for the op. For planning a small staff joined the GOC at 1 Corps Planning HQ in ASHLEY GARDENS. This stuff consisted of the GSO 1, GSO 2 Int, GSO 3, AA&QMC, ADMS, CRA and CRE with two senior clerks.

2. OUTLINE OF ORDERS RECEIVED BY GOC 6 AIRBORNE DIV

1 Corps plan was to land two aslt divs 3 Cdn Inf and 3 Br InfDivs between GRAYE-SUR-MER and ouistreham 1079 and the task given to 6 Airborne Div was as follows:-

(a) Primary Tasks

(i) The capture of the brs (intact if possible) at BENOUVILLE 098748 and RANVILLE 104146 and the est of brheads each side of the obstacle.

(ii) The destruction of neutralization of the bty posn at 155775 by Civil Twilight minus 30 mins.

(b) Secondary Tasks

AS soon as the resources permitted, but without prejudice to the success of the primary tasks, to develop the op EAST of the ORNE in order to:-

(i) Mop up and secure the area between Rs ORNE and DIVES, NORTH of the rd TROARN 1667 - SANNERVILLE 1368 - COLOMBELLES 0770.

(ii) Having secured a firm base EAST of the R ORNE, operate offensively to delay any res attempting to move towards the covering posn from the EAST and SE.

In order to assist the Div to carry out this task 1 SS Bde were to be placed under comd after it had been landed by sea.