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3rd Para Sqn & 3rd Canadian Para Bn Plaque, Divette stream
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3rd Para Sqn & 3rd Canadian Para Bn Plaque, Divette stream
On the extreme left flank (that is as seen from the sea) of the Landings, were a number of small rivers and streams over which were road bridges. In order to prevent German re-inforcements using these crossings to mount attacks from the side, Engineer units were given the task of blowing them up as early as possible on D-Day. Thus parachute engineers dropped ahead of the sea landings and by 0500 hours most of the bridges were blown. As the sign says this is the Divette stream, which is on the outskirts of Varaville. Date: 2009
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Media ID 23215680
© Holts Battlefield Collection / Mary Evans
Bridges Crossings Extreme Flank Landings Order Prevent Rivers Streams
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the aftermath of the daring engineering feats carried out by the 3rd Para Squadron and 3rd Canadian Para Battalion on the extreme left flank of the D-Day landings. As the Allied forces prepared to storm the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, it was essential to prevent German reinforcements from using the numerous small rivers and streams as crossing points to launch counter-attacks from the side. Engineer units, including parachute engineers, were tasked with blowing up the road bridges over these waterways as early as possible on D-Day. In this image, taken in 2009, the remnants of one such bridge lie destroyed in the Divette stream, on the outskirts of Varaville. The sign at the water's edge bears testament to the importance of this mission, marking the location of the blown bridge. The extreme left flank, as viewed from the sea, was particularly exposed and vulnerable to enemy attack. With the success of the initial landings hinging on the ability to secure the beaches and inland areas, the destruction of these bridges was a crucial element of the Allied strategy. By 0500 hours on D-Day, most of the bridges had been destroyed, denying the Germans a valuable means of reinforcement and enabling the Allied forces to press on with their invasion of Normandy.
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