This book is about the capture of two bridges by British airlanding (glider) troops on D-Day. Securing the bridges was essential to the security of the left flank of the Normandy landings. It is an exciting read and excellent for its abundance of historical detail provided by an exhaustive amount of personal accounts from men who were involved. Highly recommended. I purchased the Kindle version.
Mr. Barber's book resolves the debate about what kind of tracked vehicle attacked Maj. Howard's men at the Bénouville bridge shortly after its capture. Some sources suggest a PzKfw IV, some a Char or Renault 35, some hazard a guess at a pair of halftracks. In Appendix B, item "3. The armoured vehicle visible in the D-Day aerial photograph" Mr. Barber describes an aerial photo which clearly shows the wreck of the vehicle and from its shape determines it most likely to be an "SPW U340 (f), which was the equivalent of a Sdkfz 251/10". This being an open-topped vehicle would also explain the lengthy display of fireworks after its destruction.
Mr. Barber's book resolves the debate about what kind of tracked vehicle attacked Maj. Howard's men at the Bénouville bridge shortly after its capture. Some sources suggest a PzKfw IV, some a Char or Renault 35, some hazard a guess at a pair of halftracks. In Appendix B, item "3. The armoured vehicle visible in the D-Day aerial photograph" Mr. Barber describes an aerial photo which clearly shows the wreck of the vehicle and from its shape determines it most likely to be an "SPW U340 (f), which was the equivalent of a Sdkfz 251/10". This being an open-topped vehicle would also explain the lengthy display of fireworks after its destruction.
Big para fan. I have been to Pegasus and the Merville Battery. In one of the bunkers they do a mock para assault simulation on the bunker whilst you are inside. It is borderline terrifying and gives a great feel for how much shock an assault like that can generate to the huddled landser inside.