Johnny Red Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 It is well worth a read! It goes into great depth about the selection and training leading up to the operation and what happened afterwards. HL-10 there's been something on my mind ever since I watched The Longest day, and programs on the attack on the Pegasus Bridge, I know the pilots of the gliders were I would class as Elite Pilots + Soldiers, I know this probably a stupid question but how did the pilot land the glider so close to the bridge without the Germans hearing it sliding across the ground? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 (edited) Probably a lot of noise going on both from the departing tow planes, bombers & aircraft carrying paratroopers to other targets. I'd imagine the eve of D-day was a pretty noisy event where ever you were in Normandy. I can see one of the above mentioned books coming my way, even if it does spoil the movie for me. Steve Edited March 19, 2014 by stevehnz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HL-10 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 HL-10 there's been something on my mind ever since I watched The Longest day, and programs on the attack on the Pegasus Bridge, I know the pilots of the gliders were I would class as Elite Pilots + Soldiers, I know this probably a stupid question but how did the pilot land the glider so close to the bridge without the Germans hearing it sliding across the ground? The pilots were extensively trained for a long time leading up to the operation. Major Howard, who led the Oxs &Bucks went as far as having a location in the UK found which almost duplicated the target area. He asked the pilot of the lead glider, the one he flew in, if he could, when he landed, knock over the barb wire fence at the end of the field with his Horsa, and the pilot was able to do just that! As for the noise, the Horsa was virtually silent on its approach and the noise of its landing wasn't as loud as you may think. At the time of the actual landing there were numerous air raids going on and the noise of the bombing and flak helped mask the noise of them landing. The guards on the bridge who did hear something mistook it for aircraft being shot down and crashing nearby. The first any of the bridge defenders knew of the assault was when they saw Major Howard's men charging them down. The film "The Longest Day" portrays the Pegasus Bridge operation very accurately (apart from the bit when the Sappers are pulling the explosives out from under the bridge. The charges were not in place at the time of the assault). Major Howard was on site as an advisor and Richard Todd wore his actual beret. On D Day Richard Todd was in the Parachute Regiment, and backed up the glider troops. In the film he is portrayed by another actor. When Lord Lovatt's commandos arrive at the bridge, the real Richard Todd, as Major Howard, is seen standing next to a Parachute Regiment officer who is meant to be him! It makes you wonder if they had used the same tactics at Arnhem, would things have turned out differently? Anyway, Pegasus Bridge by Ambrose is a worth while read and highly recommended. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Red Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 The pilots were extensively trained for a long time leading up to the operation. Major Howard, who led the Oxs &Bucks went as far as having a location in the UK found which almost duplicated the target area. He asked the pilot of the lead glider, the one he flew in, if he could, when he landed, knock over the barb wire fence at the end of the field with his Horsa, and the pilot was able to do just that! As for the noise, the Horsa was virtually silent on its approach and the noise of its landing wasn't as loud as you may think. At the time of the actual landing there were numerous air raids going on and the noise of the bombing and flak helped mask the noise of them landing. The guards on the bridge who did hear something mistook it for aircraft being shot down and crashing nearby. The first any of the bridge defenders knew of the assault was when they saw Major Howard's men charging them down. The film "The Longest Day" portrays the Pegasus Bridge operation very accurately (apart from the bit when the Sappers are pulling the explosives out from under the bridge. The charges were not in place at the time of the assault). Major Howard was on site as an advisor and Richard Todd wore his actual beret. On D Day Richard Todd was in the Parachute Regiment, and backed up the glider troops. In the film he is portrayed by another actor. When Lord Lovatt's commandos arrive at the bridge, the real Richard Todd, as Major Howard, is seen standing next to a Parachute Regiment officer who is meant to be him! It makes you wonder if they had used the same tactics at Arnhem, would things have turned out differently? Anyway, Pegasus Bridge by Ambrose is a worth while read and highly recommended. Thank you HL-10 that made a lot of sense with all that was going on that night, funny how I never thought of it? Operation Pegasus Bridge is one of my all time favorite parts in the film even now it still makes me laugh when the medic was on the wrong side of the bridge "where have you been?" "anyone can make a mistake" I also like the part in a bridge to far, Major Harry Carlyle: Rather interesting development, sir. Major Harry Carlyle: That's far enough! We can hear you from there! SS Panzer Officer: My general says there is no point in continuing this fighting! He wishes to discuss terms of a surrender! Major Harry Carlyle: Shall I answer him, sir? Lt Col John Forst: Tell him to go to hell. Major Harry Carlyle: We haven't the proper facilities to take you all prisoner! Sorry! SS Panzer Officer: looks confused What? Major Harry Carlyle: We'd like to, but we can't accept your surrender! Was there anything else? Brilliant 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HL-10 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 That bit in "A Bridge too Far" (Another great book!) is based on an actual incident and according to the officer involved, he genuinely believed the Germans were trying to surrender! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Red Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 That bit in "A Bridge too Far" (Another great book!) is based on an actual incident and according to the officer involved, he genuinely believed the Germans were trying to surrender! lol I didn't know that? I can't imagine what was going through that soldier's mind when he was told that the Para's didn't have the facilities to accept their surrender lol he must have thought they were up against crazy men. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HL-10 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I can not remember his name but it was a Royal Engineer officer who was holding the school building across the road from Colonel Frost's position. I think that after three or for days of intense, close quarter fighting his mind may have been a bit frazzled! Cornelius Ryan's "A Bridge Too Far" is another book well worth a read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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