SWORD BEACH

DECISIVE ACTION, NO.1

In the first of a new series that examines criterial battles involving British and Commonwealth forces, we look at the D-Day action on Sword Beach.

Men of 1st Special Service Brigade land on Sword at 8.40am. Their CO, Brigadier Lord Lovat, is the water to the right of his men and piper Bill Millin is about to disembark.

D–DAY ACTION

FACTBOX: SWORD BEACH (Part of the Normandy Invasion)

Date: 6 June 1944

Location: Between Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer and Ouistreham, Normandy, France.

Commanders:

Allied:

(I Corps) General Sir John Crocker GCB, KBE, DSO, MC

(3rd Division) Major-General Thomas Rennie CB, DSO, MBE

(27th Armoured Brigade) Brigadier George Prior- Palmer CB, DSO

(6 Beach Group [later also acting CO of 5 Beach Group]) Lieutenant-Colonel R Sale

German:

(716th Infantry Division) Generalleutnant Wilhelm Richter

(21st Panzer Division) Generalmajor Edgar Feuchtinger

Major Units:

Allied:

3rd (British) Division

27th Armoured Brigade

6th Airborne Division (preliminary drop)

German:

716th Infantry division

21st Panzer Division

Want to read more?

This is a premium article and requires an active subscription.

Existing subscriber? Sign in now

No subscription?

Pick one of our introductory offers