249 Field Company RE landed at Pegasus Bridge
2 Platoon, 249 FIELD COMPANY, R.E.
Captain NEILSON'S party of 5 Sappers in each of three gliders with the 52nd Light Infantry all landed within 100 yds of the BENOUVILLE BRIDGE as planned. Although no artificial obstructions were in fact in position, the LZ was rough and marshy, and great tribute has been paid by all concerned to the skill of the Glider Pilots. Even so, the shock of landing dazed most of the men for a few seconds.
The Sapper work went according to the rehearsed plan and every man was at his appointed place searching for possible demolition charges within two minutes of touching down. The intended position of charges was indicated by paint and this enabled the bridge to be declared clear within 5 minutes.
Sapper Cyril Haslett, 249 Field Company Royal Engineers
It was just mud. [the canal bank] We had to scramble on as best we could, because the bridge came over the road, into the bank. Underneath, you had to feel your way around.
Sapper Harry Wheeler, 249 Field Company Royal Engineers
It was the only wire I could see. I didn’t know what it was; hoped for the best. It blew me off my feet, and the wire cutters, blew them out of my hands! I reckon it was for lifting the bridge; must have been, the amount of power that was there.
Sapper Cyril Haslett, 249 Field Company Royal Engineers
We discovered that somebody had disconnected the explosives, so all we had to do was take the leads off, leading to the explosives. The explosives were on the side, but the leads were still on the bridge, we had to cut this cordite cord.
Major John Howard, 2/Oxf and Bucks
The Captain of the Royal Engineers, ‘Jock’ Neilson, reported to me that there were no explosives under the Canal Bridge.
A message came through by 38 Set that only one glider had landed at the RANVILLE BRIDGE. Capt NEILSON therefore took RE detachments to the bridge and was able to declare the bridge free just as Lt BENCE arrived. The latter's glider had landed some 500 yards away. The third glider landed in the marshes near the coast and EAST of the River ORNE, and the party did not arrive until the evening of D+1.
The Sappers. then took up a position in the defensive layout covering the bridges and played their part in repelling the counter attack.
A classification of both bridges was carried out at first light and the approaches verified as clear of mines.
Recce of the footbridge was not possible before 1100 hrs owing to snipers who were extremely active in the neighbourhood.
Of the four gliders with bridging equipment and the balance of the Platoon, three landed on various parts of the L.Z. about 0325 hrs. One was considerably damaged but the personnel unhurt and equipment serviceable. The CRE instructed that equipment should be guarded until transport could be made available from HQRE. Equipment was then to be dumped on EAST bank of the River ORNE for use in case the bridges subsequently went. In point of fact, one jeep and trailer was produced about 0730 hrs and two glider loads dumped at the specified site by 1130 hrs.
The Platoon then remained throughout the day in a def position covering the bridge and assisted in the capture of a gunboat trying to dislodge the garrison.