Bull Bridge over the River Souleuvre

While patrolling and probing ahead of 159 Brigade Group during operation Bluecoat the 2nd Household Cavalry discovered this bridge over the river Souleuvre intact and along with the lane leading to it undefended by the Germans.

The lane and the bridge were located between two enemy divisions, the 3rd Parachute and 326th Infantry. Radio intercepts between the commanders of the two divisions revealed there was confusion and a dispute over who was responsible for guarding them.

The 2nd Household Cavalry held the bridge for two hours before they were joined by a troop of tanks from the 2nd Northamptonshire Yeomanry.

The bridge was located on the main road between St Lo and Le Beny Bocage and its capture allowed the division to advance southward over it. The bridge would later be renamed Bull Bridge after the emblem of the 11th Armoured Division.

The discovery and capture of the bridge is documented in the 2nd Household Cavalry July 1944 war diary.