Operation Deadstick: The Airborne Assault on Pegasus Bridge - June 6th, 1944

This is the story of the British 6th Airborne Division and their heroic D-Day attack on Pegasus Bridge during World War II.

Read more about the history of 'Operation Deadstick' at:

Filmed on location in Normandy, France.

Directed & Produced by William Moore.

© 2014 HentyCrew Films - All Rights Reserved.

[lawrencemyers]

Good effort William, especially the computer animation. But, a few errors: you left the impression that the 2nd Ox and Bucks were under command of Major Howard. Actually, he only led D Company and it attachments on 6 June. The Battalion itself was commanded by a Lt. Col. Roberts who didn't arrive in Normandy til about 2100 that evening. Lt. Brotheridge wasn't 2IC of D Company, but he did lead one of the platoons. Howard's second was Capt. Priday, who was to lead the assault on the nearby Orne River Bridge, but ended up some miles to the northeast near the Dives River, due to pilot error.Again, good effort.

[andyyoung]

My Father was one of those 90...and my regiment, the Royal Green Jackets, erected the memorials. My last trip was on the 60th anniversary, and met one of the veterans who remembered my Dad. He was in his very early 90s...and drank me under the table at the cafe. Deep respect for that man and all the rest of them

[mikelitorous]

Absolutely mad that my great uncle was one of the brave bastards to be a part of this. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be sat here saying this and neither would any of you lot. I don’t just owe him my life, but his dad before him for battling through the First World War and my other ancestors for taking Normandy. The two greatest generations to ever exist

[mard]

My grandfather took part in this mission and I am so very proud of him. I am going to visit the site later this year

[pja]

My great grandfather was in glider 3. cpl Walter Ariss.
He died one year later during operation varsity in Germany.
Thank you for this video and paying tribute to those who sacrificed.

[philwelton]

My Grandad was Corporal on the mission ...never mentioned it in all our years together ..only now years after his passing is it all coming to light .. a more gentle, honest fellow you could never meet ...a true hero, God Bless him

[philschneider]

Thank you William. My Uncle was one of the relief force that punched through to Howard and his men. Vincent survived that action and countless others but seemed to be never far from that day. Having him at my passing out parade when I joined the Australian Army was a huge honour. When he died at 85 the piper from BAFA here requested to play him to his rest, that melted me.

[Laser]

An outstanding video presentation by this young man. You are a true historian. Your family should be proud of you!

[azik]

My Granddad Jack was one of the men at Pegasus, I’ve visited there many times over the years and still have his insignia, it’s currently on the grill of my dads series one land rover (in good old british style)

[theory]

My great grandad was in one of those gliders. He was the last of this regiment to pass away, at 94.

[ronnieneo]

Those pinpoint landings are incredible, in the dark and with only a compass? Amazing!

[Nugget]

Very much enjoyed your mini-doc, William. My parents lived next to a kind old gent and his wife. I knew him as 'Mr Lowman' but he was also Brigadier Frank Lowman and on D-Day he was OC Royal Engineers, 6th Airborne. It was he who asked General Gale if he could design and erect the (original) Pegasus sign by the bridge and he also designed the smaller cross made of faux marble (concrete with ash mixed in!) dedicated to 6th Airborne at Ranville Cemetary. He was the kindest and modest of men. Thanks for posting your film.

[samchapman]

same here my great grandfather was part of this operation and survived all the way through the war but this particular op he was extremely proud of!

[harrystuart]

Well done William : An excellent tribute to the brave men of England as they strike back at The Third Reich. In 1957, McGraw-Hill published a great work by author David Howarth called D Day, The Sixth Of June, 1944. The taking of Pegasus Bridge is covered in detail in the book's second chapter, "The British Air Drop". Mr. Howarth writes that gliders, rather than paratroops, were chosen for the task because "Airborne Sticks" were typically strewn over larger areas and valuable time was lost as men rallied together and would no doubt alert the German defenders. He writes that the men of the "Glider Pilot Regiment" took great pride in achieving the impossible with their aircraft and promised to do what Maj. General Richard Gale demanded of them. Their task was to "crash six gliders within a few paces of the abutments" within three minutes of 00:30 hours and without killing the infantrymen on board. Adding to the obvious difficulties of the assault, May 30th brought a new danger to the mission; the introduction of "Rommel's' Asparagus", wooden posts standing upright to prevent glider landings. When shown the surveillance photos the pilots exuded even more confidence; "that's just what we needed. We'll land between the off the wings, slow us we shan't hit the bridge so hard". How could men like this ever be defeated? They could not. This story and so many others should be taught to new generations in order for all to understand how the Free World defeated Adolph Hitler. I know this is a long post but it is my small tribute to all the military and civilians of the Allied nations who brought about the collapse of Nazi Germany.

[raejamie]

My Dad was one of the Glider pilots on that day. He lived only to be captured later in Operation Market Garden and spent the rest of the war as a POW. The Glider Pilot Regiment story is well told in a book called Operation Tonga. Good film William

[ryanodonnell]

I really enjoyed this video William. I absolutely love these sort of Historical WW2 video Documentaries.
Its well researched and delivered really well.. My grandfather fought in WW2 and he was captured in Italy he was then interrogated to find out if he was Jewish, he was repeatedly asked what Synagogue he worshipped at back in Glasgow (SCOTLAND) to which my Grandfather repeatedly told the NAZI'S he was a Catholic and told them the name of his local Parish church. Being a Catholic saved my Grandfather's life thank God or I wouldn't be here today. He was then sent to Poland to a POW CAMP and from there he was Liberated.
William thank you very much for taking the time to put this video together as it was well researched and delivered very well indeed. Best wishes from Scotland

[OriginalAirsoftGasser]

My great uncle was there, that's all my family knows, recipient of the Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur and died in December 2017 from shrapnel in his legs from wounds received during the fighting after the landing.

[gregmathews]

I live in Tarrant Rushton so it is nice to see videos like this to inform me more of what happened

[robertgrey]

Well spoken and presented and to the point.

Great music !!

[threepot]

Actually 6 gliders were involved?
Im proud to say I've met a few of the men involved. One was known as 'H'? My son had a photo with him. And I met Harry Wheeler several yrs ago at the museum. I sat next to him, and he told me his job was to cut the fuses to the explosives. His daughter told me he still had the cutters he used! He also told me that he was behind Len Brotheridge, who was fatally wounded. The first casualty of the landings. Harry said that if Len hadn't been in front, he would have taken the bullett! Respect for them all!