Very Rare
Operation Tonga
Overview
Operation Tonga was the British 6th Airborne Division's D-Day mission to capture the bridges over the Orne River and Caen Canal (Pegasus Bridge), destroy the Merville Gun Battery, and protect the eastern flank of the invasion beaches. It began hours before the seaborne landings.
Obscure Facts & Hidden Details
The capture of Pegasus Bridge was the first Allied victory of D-Day, achieved by glider troops who landed within yards of their objective at 00:16. The pilots, Staff Sergeants Wallwork and Ainsworth, landed so precisely that the gliders slid to a halt against the bridge's anti-tank obstacles.
Major John Howard's coup-de-main force captured the bridge with just 10 minutes of ammunition remaining after their glider landed under heavy fire.
The Merville Gun Battery assault was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway, whose force was scattered across 50 square miles by poor navigation and flak. Only 150 of 600 men reached the objective. They attacked with no artillery or tank support, destroying the guns but suffering 50% casualties.
Major John Howard's coup-de-main force captured the bridge with just 10 minutes of ammunition remaining after their glider landed under heavy fire.
The Merville Gun Battery assault was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway, whose force was scattered across 50 square miles by poor navigation and flak. Only 150 of 600 men reached the objective. They attacked with no artillery or tank support, destroying the guns but suffering 50% casualties.