National Archives catalogue number WO 171/1235.

Abbreviation

7587 Adm Adv Air Amb Armd A/Tk Bde Bn Br Brit Bty Cdn Coy CRE Defn Det Div E Eqpt Excl FBE Fd FOO Gp H i/c Incl Ind Inf Junc Ldg Lt Op Ox and Bucks Posn Prs RASC Rd RE Ref Regt RUR RV SL Sqn SS Staffs Tac TAF Tps Tpt WT Xrds Yeo

Map Reference Administration Advance Airborne Ambulance Armoured Anti-Tank Brigade Battalion Bridge British Battery Canadian Company Commander Royal Engineers Defensive Detachment Division / Divisional East Equipment Excluding Folding Boat Equipment Field Forward Observation Officer Group Hussars in-command Including Independent Infantry / Information Junction Landing Light Operate Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Position Pounders Royal Army Service Corps Road Royal Engineers Reference Regiment Royal Ulster Rifles Rendezvous Start Line Squadron Special Service Staffordshire Tactical Tactical Air Force Troops Transport Wireless Telegraphy Crossroads Yeomanry

Month and year : June 1944

Commanding Officer : Lt-Col. John W. Place

2nd June 1944

Place: Cricklade

All ranks confined to camp.

6th June 1944

Place: Cricklade

Operation TONGA.  19 crews of No: 2 Wing took part.  Operation MALLARD.  108 crews of No: 2 Wing took part.  The operations were brilliantly successful and glider pilots received high praise.

7th June 1944

Place: Cricklade

The majority of the crews returned from NORMANDY, disembarking at NEWHAVEN.  After de-briefing and re-kitting at FARGO they returned to airfields.

10th June 1944

Place: Cricklade

Crews briefed for Ex. WILDOATS.

12th June 1944

Place: Cricklade

Ex. WILDOATS postponed - later cancelled.

22nd June 1944

Place: Cricklade

RUSHY WEIR CAMP, near BAMPTON, established for the benefit of "F" Squadron.  "E" Squadron have set up a similar one near CHELTENHAM.  48 hour passes for those ex Operations and 24 hours (within radius of 25 miles) for remainder, started.

Appendix

COPY.

No.2 Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment.

OPERATION ORDER NO.1

NEPTUNE.

BIGOT - TOP SECRET.

GPR/IT/3,000/

Copy No.4

Ref Maps.  1:50,000 France 7F/5, 7F/6, and 7F/2.

INFORMATION.

1.  Enemy.  See summary of information No.1.

2.  Own Troops.

                    Definitions : P hr        Airborne Operation D - 1 Day.

                                        Z hr        Airborne Operation D Day.

                                        H hr        Seaborne Operation D Day.

(a) The U.S. First Army is operating on the RIGHT of the SECOND BRITISH ARMY.

(b) The SECOND BRITISH ARMY is assaulting through the beaches between incl. PORT EN BESSIN 7587. and excl. MOUTH R. ORNE 1279 with RIGHT 30 Corps, LEFT 1 Corps with under Command 6 Air Div, and 1 and 4 S.S. Bdes.  The object is to capture position on general line BAYEUX 7809 - CAEN 0368 by the evening of D Day.  It is considered that the rate of build up will not permit any general advance beyond road BAYEUX-CAEN before D plus 3/4.

(c) Every effort is being made to delay movement of enemy reserves by air bombing and resistance groups.

(d) 1 Corps is to assault the beaches between GRAYE-SUR-MER 9584 and OUISTREHAM 11[?] and is to advance and secure on D Day, a covering position on the general line PUTOT-EN-BESSIN 9072 - CAEN - R ORNE to the sea, preparatory to an advance subsequently south and S.E. to secure a bridgehead on the general line ST. MARC D'OUILLY 9834 - FALAISE 1435 - ARGENCES 1761 - DIVES-SUR-MER 2279.

3.  Flank formation.

3 British Div (Inf) is operating on 6 Airborne Div RIGHT flank.

(a)  Order of battle.

        8 INF. BDE.

        9 INF. BDE.

        185 INF. BDE.

        DIV. TROOPS.

            under command:-

        27 ARMD BDE.

        13/18 H.

        1 E RIDING YEO.

        STAFFS YEO.

(b)  Tasks.

    (i) 8 INF BDE. lands on QUEEN sector 068818 - 093805 at H Hour with the task of clearing the beach area and securing the high ground area ring contour 065772 which it hopes to do by H plus 4 hrs.  As early as possible one company E YORKS plus 1 Sqn 13/18 H moves to bridges.  Probable time of arrival H plus 4 hrs.  If opposition is strong 1 SS BDE is moving with this force.

    (ii) 185 INF BDE. lands on QUEEN sector and should be assembled ashore H plus 4 hrs.  It then moves SOUTH through 8 Inf Bde to capture CAEN, axis HERMANVILLE-SUR-MER 0679 - BEUVILLE 0675 - CAEN.  Anticipated timings : BEUVILLE H plus 6 to 7 hrs.  CAEN H plus 12 hrs.

    (iii) 9 Inf Bde. lands about H plus 5½ hrs on QUEEN sector and moves to PLUMETOT 0478 into Div Reserve.

4.  6 AIRBORNE DIVISION. with 1 SS Bde under command will protect the LEFT flank of 1 Corps, by denying the enemy the use of the area between the Rs ORNE and DIVES, NORTH of the Rd. TROARN 1667 - SANNERVILLE 1367 - COLOMBELLES 0770.  6 Airborne Div will also attack and delay enemy reserves and reinforcements attempting to move towards CAEN from the EAST and S.E.

5 Para Bde Group will land night D-1/D day in area NORTH of RANVILLE and operate in area BENOUVILLE - RANVILLE.

(a)  Tasks

    (1) Seize the crossings over the R. ORNE and CANAL DE CAEN at BENOUVILLE 097748 and RANVILLE 104746.

    (2) Secure and hold area BENOUVILLE 0970 - RANVILLE 104746 - LE BAS DE RANVILLE 105735.

    (3) Capture the Bty at 107765.

    (4) Clear and protect L.Z. 'N' by - 2 hrs (D-1 Day) and Z hr. (D Day).

(b)  Timings and dropping zones:-

3 Para Bde Group will land night D - 1/D Day on L.Z. and D.Z. V AND K, and operate in area TROARN, 177680 VARAVILLE - Bty 153776.

(a)  Tasks.

    i. Demolish the bridges at TROARN 177680 - BURES 1770 - ROBEHOMME 1972 - VARAVILLE 1875 by H plus 2 hrs.

    ii. Hold the above area until relieved by 1 SS BDE.

(b)  Timings and dropping zones:-

6 Airborne Div H.Q. will land night D - 1/D NORTH OF RANVILLE.

1 SS BDE. (less one commando) will land on the 3 British Inf. Div and op in the coastal belt between OUISTREHAM and CABOURG under command 6 Air/Div.

6 Airldg Bde will land on L.Z. 'N' and L.Z. 'W' approx 2100 hrs D Day.

(a)  Tasks.

    i. To hold the area LONGUEVAL - ST. HONORE LA CHARDONERETTE - ESCOVILLE - LE BAS DE RANVILLE.

    ii. Should this objective be strongly held by the enemy the Bde will concentrate as under:-

                Bn. Area 105735

                Bn Area 113746.

(b)  Timings & L.Z's:-

Landing strips are being prepared by 263 Fd Coy (3 Brit. Inf Div.)

Armd. Recce. Group.

        Airborne Armd. Recce Regt.

        211 Lt Bty.

        One Coy. 12 Devon.

        One Troop 3 A/Tk Bty.

will land on L.Z's N and W by evening D Day, and concentrate at area NE of wood 124732.

(a)  Tasks.

    Be prepared to carry tanks to the SOUTH of the Div Area by 0300 D plus 1 Day.

(b)  Timings and L.Z's.

Royal Engineers. ) Tasks in order of priority:-

    (a) Assist in assault of 3 and 5 Para Bde. on bridges and Bty.

    (b) Clear the initial glider landing strips.

    (c) Demolition belt - incl TROARN - incl VARAVILLE.

    (d) Minefields as detailed below (Para 1).

    (e) Recce and mark mines on rds within areas occupied by Bde. areas.

    (f) Recce and mark mines on following routes between Bde. areas.  Br. 105745 - RANVILLE 114735 - BREVILLE 133744 - rd junc. 140728.

    (g) Clear additional glider landing strips.

    (h) Recce sites for personnel, light vehicles and FBE ferries in vicinity of bridges and establish ferries.

    (i) The following approaches will be blocked from direction stated below, R.E. 6 Air/Div responsible.

                anti-personnel mines will be sited as follows:-

                        area 099735

                        area 113749

                to block approaches from NORTH and SOUTH.

    (j) Marking of minefield areas.

                Standard red and white gap signs will be used.  Cleared carriage ways of the rds will be marked every 200 yds.

                Cleared verges will be marked by notice boards at 400 yds and gap signs moved out from carriage ways.

                Verges will be cleared to 10 ft width only.  RIGHT verges will be cleared in priority to the LEFT.

22 Ind Para Coy.

    (a) Navigational lights will be provided as follows:-

    (b) All pathfinder sticks will received detailed instructions re the establishment of navigational lights under arrangements to be made by 38 Gp R.A.F.

            C Sqn INNS of COURT Regt.  Certain portions of C Sqn INNS of COURT Regt may move into 6 Air Div Area from SOUTH EAST of CAEN during D or D plus 1 day.

            Troops to be expected.  Two patrols each of one Daimler Scout Car and one Daimler Armd Car.

            Probable Route.  CAGNY - DEMOUVILLE - LE BAS DE RANVILLE.

            Recognition signals:  Cars will be flying blue pennants from aerials.  If shot at cars will display yellow celanese triangles and fire yellow smoke.  6 Air Div will display yellow triangles.  This must be done carefully so as not to disclose the position to the enemy.  After identification cars will be guided to Div. HQ.

5.  Air Support.

    (a) Up to H hr.

                P-5 hrs.  Neutralisation of SL and interference with FLAK between to P-4 hrs.  ST AUBIN SUR MER U0184 and TROUVILLE L 4513.

                P-4 hrs.  Attacks on SL and Flak in CAEN area.

                P-4 hrs 50 mins.  Close support for 3 and 5 Para Bdes (including to P-4 hrs 40 mins. protective night fighters).

                P-2 hrs to P-1 hrs.  OUISTREHAM Battery 117797.

                P-2 hrs.  Close support for Div H.Q. and 4 Anti/Tk Bty landing.

                Shortly before H hr. - FRANCEVILLE PLAGE and locality 138790.

    (b) H hr and after.

    (c) Bombline.

            P hr to H plus 1 hr.  MOUTH OF CANAL DE CAEN A LE MER 119789 - SOUTH edge of FRANCE-VILLE PLAGE 155786 - br. 219761 - EASTERN bank of R. DIVES to br. 177681 SOUTH OF TROARN 1667 - SOUTH side of rd. junc. 085700 - thence direct to EAST edge of BLAINVILLE 0873 - bend in rd at 076746 - ST AUBIN D'ARQUENAY - COLVILLE SUR ORNE.

            H plus 1 hr to H plus 4 hrs.  As above except line WEST of the river where the line will run CAZELLE 0276 - BEUVILLE 0675 - SW edge of BLAINVILLE 0873.

            H plus 4 to H plus 5 hrs.  As above except that the town and outskirts of FRANCEVILLE PLAGE to be incl. in prohibited area.

            H plus 5 hrs onwards.  Line of coast from MOUTH OF R. ORNE to MOUTH OF R. DIVES then along EASTERN bank of river to br. 219761 thence as above.  Note: Tac R resources are centralised on D Day under joint control of Allied TAF and HQ 21 A Gp with the primary task of obtaining inf. about enemy reserves moving towards the Neptune area.  Particular attention is paid to areas SE of 6 Air/Div.

INTENTION.

To land Glider landing troops of the 6th Airborne Division and retrieve glider pilots to U.K.

METHOD.

        Ref: Air Movement table 38 Gp. RAF.

        Ref: HQ Air Tps/2865/11/GP/4 of 21 May 44.

        Ref: Air Operations Order 38 Gp RAF.

1.  Operation Bridges - L.Zs 'X' & 'Y'

Twelve glider pilots taking part in this op. will assist unloading the gliders after landing and will take part in the assault of the bridges, and at first light will move to RV area 'JOHN' map ref. 113735 where they will come under command of Major. J.P. Royle.  If it proves impossible they will remain under command of 2 Ox & Bucks Bridge assault party until the route between this area and area R.V. JOHN is clear of enemy.

2.  Operation L.Z. 'V'.

Officer Commanding this detachment will be Lieut. C.B. Dodwell and it will remain under the command of 3 Para Bde until such time as the situation between the area VARAVILLE and OUISTREHAM is clear, then they will proceed to the beaches for embarkation.  If however the route is not cleared by noon D plus 1 day they will remain under command 3 Para Bde until this unit returns to U.K.  Lieut Dodwell will contact the 4 crews from 1 Wing forthwith.

3.  Operation Battery 155776.

6 Glider Pilots taking part in this op. will remain under command of 9 Para Bn until such time as the situation between the area MERVILLE and OUISTREHAM is clear, then they will proceed to the beaches for embarkation.  If however the route is NOT cleared by noon D plus 1 Day, they will remain under command 9 Para Bn until this unit returns to U.K.

4.  Operation L.Z. 'K'

This detachment which will be under command of Lieut A.E. Pickford will assist in unloading the gliders, and will remain under command 8 Para Bn until such time as the situation between the area SANNERVILLE 135680 and area RANVILLE 113735 is cleared.  Then it will move to RV JOHN area WOOD 113735 and come under command of Major J.P. Royle.  If, however, the situation between the two areas is NOT cleared by noon D plus day, the det will remain under command 8 Para Bn until this unit returns to U.K.

5.  Operation 'JOHN'.  L.Z. 'N'

(a) Commander Maj J.P. Royle.

(b)

(c) Task.  14 of these glider pilots of D Sqn will man the A/tk guns under command of O.C. 4 Airldg A/Tk Bty until such time as relieved by original crews who land on LZ 'W' by evening D Day, they will then proceed to RV 'IAN' and for embarkation.  The detachment less the 14 gun crew will:-

        (i) assist in unloading the gliders after landing.

        (ii) concentrate in RV JOHN area wood 113735.

        (iii) prepare a defn posn. at RV JOHN.

        (iv) assist RE in clearing additional landing strips on LZ 'N' and after completion of this task will:

        (v) occupy the def. posns 'JOHN'.

        (vi) wait for the ldg of the second lift on D Day.

As soon as the landing is completed Major J.P. Royle will contact CRE 6 Air/Div for orders as to the assistance in clearing of strips, and send a liaison officer to 6 Div. H.Q.  Two liaison officers detailed by Major Royle will proceed with 22 Ind Para Coy and contact CRE 3 Inf Div at 3 Div HQ. and act as advisors in clearing the landing strips.  After the landing of det. 'IAN' they will come under command of Lt. Col I.A. Murray.

PHASE TWO - D Day L.Z. 'N'.

(a) Commander - Major B.H.P. Jackson

(b)

(c) Task.  This detachment of glider pilots will:-

        (i) assist in unloading the gliders.

        (ii) concentrate at RV 'JOHN' area wood 113735 and come under command of Major J.P. Royle.

        (iii) occupy def. posns which will be prepared by first lift.

        (iv) move to area RV 'IAN' 098775 as soon as the route RANVILLE - RV 'IAN' is cleared and come under command of Lt. Col I.A. Murray.

PHASE TWO - D DAY LANDING ZONE 'W'

(a) Commander Lt Col I.A. Murray.

(b)

(c) Tasks.  As soon as the landing and unloading is completed glider pilots will concentrate at RV 'IAN' area wood 098775 and take a def. posn.  Lt.Col. Murray will:-

        (i) send a liaison party to contact the officer i/c Beaches at a point to be notified later.

        (ii) organise the def. preparing posns for the det. coming from R.V. area 'JOHN'.

        (iii) issue warning order for the movement to the beaches.

PHASE THREE - D to D PLUS 1 DAY.

As soon as the detachments from RV 'JOHN' and 'IAN' are concentrated together at area wood 098775 and the contact with the beaches is established:- the whole body will proceed for embarkation under command Lt Col Murray.

ADMINISTRATION.

6.  See Adm Order No. 1 attached.

INTERCOMMUNICATION.

7.  Location of Headquarters

8.  Means of intercommunication available to Glider Pilot Det.

(a) W.T.

        1 set - B.C. 611 B per Sqn.

        2 sets B.C. 611 B for intercommunication between RV JOHN and RV IAN.

(b) Runners.

9.  Passwords.

The passwords will be adopted and made known to all ranks.  These passwords are laid down by 1 Corps and precautions must be taken against compromise.  They will NOT be issued below Wing H.Q. more than 24 hrs ahead.

Time of signature.....................

[Signed]

LIEUT-COL.

Commanding, No.2 Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment.

30 May 1944.