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In the more complicated event of the bridges not having been captured, or if they had been blown, or alternatively if only one had been captured or only one blown, the crossing of the two water obstacles at night would present quite as big a problem as one wanted. There would also of course, be Germans about the place intent on making it even more difficult. This seemed a very likely thing to happen so boating equipment had to be carried.

Fifty two RAF type inflatable dinghies, two folding recce boats and long lengths of rope had somehow to be added to the normal equipment which would be carried and a parachutist carries everything on his back because he has no transport at first.

Two fairly similar water obstacles exist at Countess Weare. near Exeter, and the battalion spent five very pleasant days down there practising crossings by day and night with this type of equipment. No one except the CO knew, at that time, the significance of this training but everyone realised that it was of more than usual importance and got down to it in earnest and at the end of the period the crossing of each obstacle was only a matter of minutes.

It would be a different problem though in Normandy and the capture of the bridges intact was very desirable from the battalion's point of view.

The lay-out of the battalion in its own bridgehead to the West of the canal was designed to cover the main infantry approaches to the canal bridge. How the battalion was disposed to effect this is best shown on the sketch map.

Outside the battalion perimeter were a number of battle out-posts, each consisting of only a few men but posted at likely approaches. Their job was to take on all comers and to delay them long enough for any necessary adjustments to be made to the main position for their reception.

Two miles up the canal, towards the sea, there was a German battery position; this was wired and dug but it could not be seen for certain, from the air photos, whether it was manned or not. One platoon was to occupy this position and, if necessary, capture it first.

The defence of the area between the two bridges was entrusted to Howard's Coup de Main party; here they would form a very useful reserve and, with any luck, would get some rest too.

Tilshead had been the permanent barracks of the 8th Parachute Battalion and so was considerably more comfortable than the temporary camps in which the other units were sealed. It had the disadvantage though of being a long way from the airfield at Fairford in Gloucestershire, which was the one from which the battalion was to take off. Many snags can arise on a long road trip with a column of vehicles so a tented camp was erected in a secluded wood clearing about two miles from the airfield itself.

The battalion was to start from Tilshead early in the morning and aimed to rest for as much time as was available in this halting place, from which I could reach the airfield without fear of breakdowns or hold ups.

On the 3rd June all preparations were made for the early start to take place the following morning because a cipher signal had been received stating, that D day would be the 5th June. In the evening though another signal came in announcing a post-


(Archive transcripts © Copyright Normandy War Guide)

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Archive: Story of 7 Bn. Light Infantry, The Parachute Regiment, 1943 - 1944

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