Storming the Seine: The 43rd Wessex Division's Crossing at Vernon | August 1944

In late August 1944, the British 43rd Wessex Division received orders to form a bridgehead across the River Seine at the French town of Vernon. Over a three day period, the Division not only carried out a successful river crossing, but also established a 4-mile deep bridgehead and broke the back of the German forces in the region; this success opened the way for the rest of the British Second Army to breakout into Northern France and Belgium.
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- Reflection by Oliver Michael
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*NO PART OF THIS VIDEO MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM (REACTIONS OR RE-UPLOADED) WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE CREATOR*
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[Stuart-ey]

Thank you for this as a former member of 43wsx bde and who's grandfather served in 5dcli in 43wsx this is heartwarming and makes me proud, one and all .

[arya]

Love this channel keep it up. Epic operation!

[billa]

Excellent outline of an operation, thanks for your work.

[russellnixon]

Excellent account of another over looked operation
Thanks for taking the time to produce this documentary and for using relevant images.

[clivemortimore]

The first bridge is not a Bailey Bridge. It is Folding Boat Equipment bridge, suitable for light vehicles and infantry.

[peterscrafton]

At last - I have been waiting for this - and not just because my father was near-fatally wounded during the boat crossing. The Division, whose emblem was the Wessex Wyvern, was apparently known to its SS opponents as:"The Dragon Boys"

[curiousuranus]

I bet Von Thoma didn't congratulate any of his subordinates - he might have been good but he was soulless.

[bigantplowright]

Thomas was a nasty piece of work, he was affectionately known as Von Thoma after the German general.

[seamuskavanagh]

Great video, Liveth for Evermore. Since you have done videos of individual soldiers before, can I recommend you make a video about Cpl Stewart "Scouse" Mclaughlin of 3 PARA, the forgotten hero of the Battle of Mount Longdon.
Many of his comrades consider him to have been the bravest paratrooper (and British soldier more generally) of the Falklands War, even ahead of VC Recipient and fellow 3 Para legend Sgt Ian McKay, who fought alongside and died the same night as Mclaughlin.
However, unlike McKay, Mclaughlin was never honoured or formally recognised for his courage and sacrifice for reasons that remain controversial.
His family, friends, comrades, commanding officer, and even MP have campaigned on his behalf to be posthumously and retrospectively honoured by the Ministry of Defence.
I think you would enjoy studying and reporting this case as there's relatively little about him online (especially on YouTube) and even less about his actual heroics, not the subsequent rumours and allegations about him.

[MM]

Interestingly, there is no mention of this operation on the division's Wiki entry. It jumps from operations around Caen to Market Garden

[wayneruddick]

I knew nothing of this battle before now and I thought I knew my WW2 history. Excellent video, thank you.

[SirPercival]

“I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore” ✝️✝️✝️

[originalganjaman]

Question, if 60% of A Company succesfuly crossed the Seine on the first try, what the hell happend to the other 40%? Strong current and overloaded boats I guess

[stevecoates]

An incredible operation clearly undertaken to almost perfection.

Congratulations on the brilliant footage and photos, I love the videos you've done and as others have offered suggestions I'll offer my own of Operation Biting.

[clementaut]

Really great video, the topics are always top !

[jamesmichael]

hey Liveth could you do the French 2013 Hostage Rescue in Somalia?

[selwyngeorge]

Thomas was known as von thoma by his troops check out the book tank comander by David Render

[samuel]

Anyone getting A Bridge too Far vibes fron this but its successful?

[treystevenson]

Your last 11 videos have been these older ones. Are you working on any new ones like Israeli rescue missions they have been doing the last 11 months?