Very Rare
Operation Deadstick
Overview
Operation Deadstick was the glider-borne assault to capture Pegasus Bridge and Ranville Bridge over the Orne waterways. It was the first operation of D-Day and had to be executed with absolute precision.
Obscure Facts & Hidden Details
The six Horsa gliders were released at 8,000 feet by Halifax bombers and landed within 50 yards of their objectives—three at Pegasus Bridge, three at Ranville. The nearest glider landed just 47 yards from Pegasus Bridge.
The entire operation took just 10 minutes from landing to securing the bridges. The German garrison commander was captured in his bed while still in his pajamas.
Lieutenant Den Brotheridge, leading the first platoon across Pegasus Bridge, was the first Allied soldier killed by enemy fire on D-Day—shot through the neck seconds after reaching the far bank.
The entire operation took just 10 minutes from landing to securing the bridges. The German garrison commander was captured in his bed while still in his pajamas.
Lieutenant Den Brotheridge, leading the first platoon across Pegasus Bridge, was the first Allied soldier killed by enemy fire on D-Day—shot through the neck seconds after reaching the far bank.