- 10 -

One of the lighter incidents of the planning had centred round this Aldis lamp. When it was originally received no batteries came with it and urgent signals had to be sent on for them. Instead of the batteries however a reply was received pointing out that this particular lamp was of a very modern and improved type and did not need any batteries as all you had to do to produce a beam of prodigious length was to plug it into the mains and switch on.

It was very difficult to pick up ones bearings and the CO and Lieut Rogers collected many other wanderers in their search for the RV. It was a most desperate feeling to know that one was close to it but not to know in which direction it lay. Time was slipping by and the Coup de Main party might well be in difficulties; everything could easily be lost if the battalion did not arrive in time, It was impossible to pick up a landmark though until a chance flare, dropped by one of the aircraft, illuminated the church at Ranville, with its most distinctive double tower, and thus provided the necessary clue.

The party arrived at the RV and luckily included the C O's bugler Pte Chambers; and of course, the Aldis lamp.

The Regimental call was sounded continuously in all directions and the light was flashed brightly regardless of the unwelcome attentions they might attract. Officers and men began to come in from all sides and it was good to see how many had joined up into groups to come in as formed bodies, with their own protective detachments and the senior of the group in command although there were several groups without officers or NCOs in them.

The system that had been developed within the battalion for reporting the state of forming up was for the sub-units to pass to Battalion HQ, at regular intervals, their percentage strength. The figures were necessarily only guesses but they enabled the CO to guage when he was strong enough to move off.

The familiar messages soon started to come in but they made depressing hearing; 20% was the first report from B Company, 30% from A and only 15% from C.

The CO decided that time was more important than strength and elected to move off when the three rifle companies reached 50% and to leave his Second-on-Command, Maj E. Steele—Baume, at the RV to bring the remainder when he assumed that as many as could be expected had arrived

C Company, although they were lightly equipped, was one of the weakest of the companies owing to several of their aircraft having dropped them wide of the DZ. Amongst those missing was Maj Bartlett himself, who turned up the next day after having landed many miles from the right place. Capt R. Keene, the company Second-in-Command, assumed command of the company and was ordered to move off and carry out its mission. He was then at approximately 40% strength.

The remaining two rifle companies, at just over 50% strength, with Advanced Battalion HQ set off just behind them and at a slightly slower rate. The success signals from the Coup de Main party could now be heard plainly so the pace was stepped up and soon the Orne bridge was reached and seen to be intact, with Howard's men on it.

There was a slight check here while the CO contacted Howard and congratulated him on his success and was given a brief account of the situation.