9th (Home Counties) Parachute Battalion

Merville Battery

The primary objective of the 9^th Parachute Battalion is the coastal battery, which is believed to house four medium-calibre guns or howitzers, estimated to be 150-millimetre in calibre. If these weapons are indeed 150-millimetre howitzers, their estimated range extends to 13,350 metres, with each shell weighing approximately 44 kilograms. Their rate of fire is expected to be three to four rounds per minute. Given its position, the battery poses a significant threat to the landing forces on Sword Beach and must be neutralised before it can interfere with the assault on the beaches.

The intelligence gathered from aerial reconnaissance and other sources confirms that the battery is heavily fortified. Its defences include minefields, wire barriers, machine guns, anti-aircraft positions, and a developing anti-tank ditch. Despite these formidable obstacles, the position must be neutralised before it can disrupt the landings on the beaches

The layout of the battery has been studied from annotated aerial photographs held at Advanced Divisional Headquarters. The gun positions are arranged in an arc facing northwest, and all four are now enclosed within reinforced concrete casemates. The walls and roofs are approximately two metres thick, with floors likely constructed from concrete as well. The casemates contain rooms for the gun crews and ammunition magazines, as well as the main gun compartments. Construction allows the guns to be withdrawn through the rear of the casemates, with the likely presence of steel doors at the front and wooden doors at the rear.

The original open emplacements, each measuring approximately 11 metres in diameter, have now been demolished, and it is assumed that the guns are now inside the casemates, although no photographic evidence confirms this. Ammunition and stores are believed to be housed in reinforced concrete shelters near the gun positions. Off-duty personnel are billeted in Merville-Franceville, a short distance to the northwest.

The battery observation post may be located within the infantry strongpoint on the banks of the River Orne. Communications between the observation post and the battery are expected to rely on buried cables and wireless transmission. The water tower in the area is enclosed by wire defences, suggesting its possible use as an additional observation post.

A section of an anti-tank ditch has been completed to the west and northwest of the battery, spanning 270 metres in length. It begins 100 metres north of Casemate 1 and extends south beyond Casemate 4. A continuation of the ditch, an additional 140 metres in length, has been marked out but remains unexcavated. A branch of the ditch, running at a right angle to the main trench, extends to within eight metres of Casemate 4. The ditch is 4.2 metres wide and cuts across the road.

The battery is surrounded by two belts of wire defences. The outer perimeter, likely a cattle fence, encloses an irregularly shaped area 660 metres by 470 metres. The inner wire perimeter is 344 metres by 283 metres, with a barrier approximately three metres wide, although some sections have been temporarily removed to facilitate ongoing concrete construction. The space between these two belts varies from 80 metres on the eastern side to approximately 150 metres on the northern and southern flanks.

Minefields are confirmed between the outer cattle fence and the main perimeter wire. Mines are clearly visible in aerial photographs northeast of the battery, where a belt of seven rows, 55 metres wide and 55 metres deep, extends for 55 metres. Additional belts are present immediately to the south, where the spacing of the mines is less uniform. Further mine belts are located north of the battery, particularly west of the main entrance. It is likely that more minefields exist, but their exact extent remains unverified.

The defensive garrison is equipped with machine guns covering multiple fields of fire. The standard equipment for a battery of this type allows for three light machine guns, though there may be additional defensive positions. Approximately 15 alternative firing positions have been identified, some of which may house machine guns, while others are likely occupied by rifle sections.

The battery also has three light anti-aircraft positions. Each of these could be equipped with 20mm anti-aircraft or anti-tank guns, of which the battery is authorised to have one. Near a suspected dummy battery, four open circular emplacements measuring approximately five metres in diameter have been observed. Unidentified objects are visible in these positions, suggesting that this may be a light anti-aircraft battery. A separate four-gun anti-aircraft position is located, approximately 1,300 metres northeast of the battery. The rectangular emplacements, each measuring six metres by four metres, are confirmed to be occupied.

A strongpoint close-by appears to contain at least five camouflaged machine-gun emplacements, concealed within hedgerows. These positions are covered with temporary roofing but are unlikely to be made of concrete, instead using sandbags and wooden supports. Observations suggest that stores and ammunition are stacked along the hedgerows inside this position, allowing it to serve a dual purpose as both a defensive and storage site. Within the inner defensive perimeter, three distinct blast marks are visible, which match the characteristics of smoke generator explosions.

The village of Merville-Franceville, situated approximately 300 metres to the northwest of the battery, features various approaches via secondary roads and tracks through orchards. The village consists of four clusters of farm buildings, while the remaining structures form a scattered settlement. Concrete shelters are currently being built within the woodland. The terrain to the south and southwest is largely open farmland, separated by hedgerows. No cultivated fields have been observed within 450 metres of the southwestern and southern perimeters.

Three roads provide access to the battery. One approaches from the northwest, another from the north, and a third from the east. A small pillbox appears to be positioned at a road junction. A roadblock is visible, positioned along the inner perimeter wire, covered by a machine-gun post. The primary entrance for vehicles appears to be the northern access point. A knife-rest style roadblock has been installed on the eastern approach road. An old, disused track runs from the outer perimeter on the northern side towards a group of farm buildings, which are likely occupied by German troops in the northwest section of the village.

The purpose of the shelters near the main gate remains unclear. These may be used for vehicle protection, though given the static nature of the battery, this seems unlikely. It is more probable that horses and limbers are stabled in the farm buildings within the area.

The Battery is manned by 50 engineers and 80 artillerymen from the 1. Batterie of the 1716. Artillerie Regiment, which was part of the 716. Infantry-Division. The unit was under the command of Oberleutnant Raimund Steiner. The total strength of the battery garrison is estimated not to exceed 160 men. Of this number, approximately 100 to 120 would be stationed at the guns, defensive positions, and command posts while at battle stations. The remaining personnel would likely be responsible for guarding ammunition, vehicles, and horse lines outside the defensive perimeter.

The Plan

Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway, commanding the 9^th Parachute Battalion, devises a detailed assault plan. At 00:20, an aircraft is set to drop the advance team of ten men is to accompany the pathfinders to drop zone V. The advance team consisting of a battalion rendezvous organisation party to establish the battalion’s assembly point on the drop zone and a Trowbridge party reconnaissance team to survey the approach route and defensive layout.

The Trowbridge Party, led by Major George Smith, commander of 9^th Parachute Battalion’s Headquarters Company, consists of Company Sergeant Major “Dusty” Miller and Company Sergeant Major Bill Harrold. These men are highly trained volunteers, specifically selected for their exceptional fitness and fieldcraft. Both Miller and Harrold are experienced physical training instructors, making them well-suited for this demanding mission.

At 00:30, before this team arrives, a force of 100 Lancaster bombers is scheduled to bombard the Merville position between 00:30 and 04:00, deploying 1,800-kilogram bombs. Their task is to weaken the enemy defences and potentially clear paths through the minefield.

A glider detachment carrying essential equipment is expected to land at 00:35 as close as possible to the battalion’s rendezvous point. The five gliders are transporting two 6-pounder anti-tank guns, three jeeps with trailers carrying ammunition and supplies, and an array of breaching equipment, including twenty-four scaling ladders to negotiate the anti-tank ditch, 60 Bangalore torpedoes for cutting through the wire, and twelve specially designed duralumin footbridges to bypass mined sections of the ditch.

At 00:50, the 9^th Parachute Battalion will land and reassemble at the designated rendezvous point, which must be cleared by 02:35 to allow for the assault to proceed on schedule. The battalion will be accompanied by Royal Engineers from the 591^st Parachute Squadron and essential equipment. This includes a further 120 Bangalore torpedoes, and forty-eight additional scaling ladders are being carried by parachute troops. After assembling the assault group will advance towards the objective, aiming to be in position by 04:00.

A taping party, consisting of an officer and eight men, from B Company, led by Captain Greenway, will accompany Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway in the first aircraft. This team includes duplicate rendezvous and reconnaissance elements in case the original parties become lost or separated.

The taping party, departs the rendezvous point as soon as it is ready. It is accompanied by a duplicate Trowbridge party under Lieutenant Slade. The taping party, upon receiving Major Smith’s report, marks out the approaches to the battery position. The duplicate Trowbridge party, in turn, conducts a reconnaissance of the dummy battery and reports back to the commanding officer.

Immediately upon landing, they will move towards the battery position, marking routes through the minefield towards the inner defences. Equipped with Polish mine detectors, they are tasked with identifying the most suitable points for breaching the wire.

The reconnaissance officer of the advance party is to link up with the battalion during its approach march, confirming the defensive layout and guiding the troops to their forming-up point. The assault will be launched from the southeast, with three breaches created in the wire. A firm base will be established 270 metres from the perimeter, from where lanes will be cleared through the minefield to facilitate the advance.

The battalion arrives at the designated forming-up point, near the road junction, between P-75 minutes and P-60 minutes. On reaching the forming-up position, A Company establishes its position close behind. By this time, the Lieutenant Colonel Otway has received reports from both Major Smith and Lieutenant Slade and has been met by a guide from the taping party. Otway assesses the situation and determines the precise area for the assault. The breaching teams will move into position and set Bangalore torpedoes against the wire under orders from the commanding officer, while the assault company will form up behind them, with the reserve force taking position further back. Following this, anti-tank artillery, two platoons, sniping parties, and No. 4 Platoon are dispatched to their assigned positions. Sniping parties will establish themselves on both flanks, while the two 6-pounder guns will be deployed 140 metres west of the battery. The diversionary force will advance towards the main gate from the north.

Orders are then relayed to the company officers, who return to their units and prepare for the attack. Runners are sent back to confirm readiness. Once all sub-units are prepared, or at P-60 minutes, Otway will order A Company to advance. A Company moves forward onto the cross tape on either side of the main attack routes. At the same time, the commanding officer orders B Company to advance to the outer wire, where they lay Bangalore torpedoes in preparation for breaching the perimeter. B Company remains in position, ready to detonate the torpedoes, but is instructed not to use smoke until the gliders have landed. If the breaching teams manage to advance undetected, they are to proceed silently. However, should surprise be lost, a bugle call will immediately signal a full-scale attack.

To maintain surprise, the movement of B Company is conducted in silence, unless it becomes necessary to clear minefields along the route using Cordtex.

If surprise is lost, or time is too short to proceed covertly, Lieutenant Colonel Otway will order the bugle call “Charge”, signalling an immediate full-scale attack. On this call, anti-tank artillery, two platoons, sniping parties, and No. 4 Platoon will open fire. At the same moment, B Company’s breaching teams will double forward to lay the Bangalore torpedoes if they are not already in position. Once in place, B Company’s breaching teams will lie down, ready to ignite the fuses when the gliders land.

At 04:24, three gliders will be released from an altitude of 1,800 metres, landing directly within the battery perimeter. Their troops, equipped with Sten guns, grenades, and specialised charges, are tasked with storming the gun positions and destroying the casemates. At 04:24:30, the towing aircraft will signal the battalion headquarters the letter M using its headlight.

At 04:25:30, a bugle will sound “Reveille,” and a mortar team will fire star shells to illuminate the target for the glider pilots. Smoke will not be used until after the gliders have landed. On receiving the M signal, or at the appropriate moment, the commanding officer orders the bugle call “Fall In”, at which point all fire ceases, ordering all supporting fire to cease (except for the diversionary party at the main gate) to facilitate the gliders’ final approach and landing. The bugle call is “Lights Out” sounded at 04:30, signalling the first glider’s expected landing. At this moment, star shell illumination ceases, returning the battlefield to darkness.

Upon landing, the glider troops are to move swiftly and storm the two central gun positions, ensuring their destruction before the enemy can mount an organised defence. At the same moment, the diversionary party is tasked with forcing entry through the main gate, drawing attention away from the primary assault.

At the same time, B Company ignites the Bangalore torpedo fuses, detonating them to create breaches in the wire. Successful breaches are marked using red, white, or blue lights. If one of the breaches fails, the light from that breach will be moved to the nearest successful gap, signalling the troops to adjust their assault route accordingly.

With the outer defences breached, B Company immediately throws Bangalore torpedoes into the anti-tank ditch to clear remaining wire and mines. Once this is completed, they position bridges or ladders to facilitate crossing. As soon as the Bangalore torpedoes detonate in the ditch, C Company moves forward to the outer wire, while B Company clears any mines between the ditch and the inner perimeter. Breaching teams then detonate further Bangalore torpedoes to open gaps in the inner fence.

As soon as the inner breaches are completed, the commanding officer orders the bugle call “Reveille” once more. On this signal, 3-inch mortar star shells are fired to illuminate the area. At this point, B Company halts any further demolition work, regardless of whether all planned breaches have been completed, and C Company launches its assault on the battery.

The assault company will then charge through the gaps, reorganising into four sections, each tasked with neutralising a gun position. The battalion command post will follow closely behind, with the reserve force moving up in support.

A Company follows closely behind, taking up positions inside the wire on either side of the central gap. Once C Company has secured its objectives, B Company, excluding the bridgehead protection troops, withdraws from the position. Sniper teams join A Company inside the wire to provide further support.

If C Company’s assault force is positioned with C Company headquarters at the junction of the cross tape and the centre tape, they will proceed with the planned attack.

If there is no anti-tank ditch or outer wire, meaning only one belt of wire beyond the cattle fence, B Company will place Bangalore torpedoes directly in this wire. The Lieutenant Colonel Otway will inform C Company’s commander at the dispersal point whether this situation is likely. In this case, as soon as the breaches are completed, Otway will order “Reveille”, prompting C Company to commence the assault.

If no wire or other obstacles are present, having already been destroyed by the pre-attack bombardment, a modified approach will be taken. B Company will remain at the firm base, while C Company moves up to the furthest cross tape and lies prone. As before, when the gliders land, the commanding officer will order “Lights Out”, and two minutes later, “Reveille”, at which point C Company will commence its assault.

If the battery is found to be abandoned or already destroyed, the Lieutenant Colonel Otway will signal this by firing a series of green 2-inch mortar flares. On this signal, glider pilots will select their own landing zones near the battery and touch down accordingly.

Once all gun positions have been neutralised, the Lieutenant Colonel Otway will send up the success signal using red-green-red 2-inch mortar flares, followed by the bugle call “Standfast”. Upon hearing this, all troops will immediately regroup at their current locations.

Company officers will then report to the Lieutenant Colonel Otway, who will either be inside the central breach or positioned on the road. Once he has ascertained the strength of each company and the overall tactical situation, he will personally inspect the gun positions to ensure their destruction. Following this, he will order the bugle call “Cookhouse”.

On hearing this call, B Company’s defensive teams at the breach points will turn their signal lamps inward, indicating the withdrawal phase has begun. The battalion will then withdraw to the firm base in the following sequence:

1. Royal Engineers
2. C Company
3. A Company
4. Advanced Battalion Headquarters
5. B Company’s bridgehead protection detachments

As Lieutenant Colonel Otway passes through the central gap, he will inform the officer commanding B Company’s protection detachments, who will then withdraw their teams behind the battalion headquarters.

Preperations

In preparation for the operation, the 9^th Parachute Battalion conducts an intensive two-week training camp, accompanied by detachments from the Royal Engineers and the Field Ambulance.

During this period, a full-scale replica of the battery position, including the anti-tank ditch, is constructed on the ground. Every man is assigned a specific task that he will be required to perform during the assault and repeatedly drills his role until it becomes second nature.

Rehearsals take place over five days and four nights, with each daytime exercise immediately followed by a night-time repetition. The training includes an approach march covering a slightly greater distance than the one expected in the actual operation to ensure that the troops are fully prepared for the physical demands of the assault.

All rehearsals are conducted with live ammunition to replicate battlefield conditions as closely as possible. The troops practice crossing obstacles with heavy equipment and weapons, as well as assaulting some of the most challenging defensive barriers they might encounter. These include a cattle fence, a minefield, outer Dannert wire, a mined anti-tank ditch, and an inner Dannert wire obstacle.

Finally, the reorganisation at the battalion rendezvous point is also carefully rehearsed to ensure swift and efficient regrouping after the drop, allowing the battalion to move rapidly towards its objective on the day of the operation.

Merville Battery Attack

At 23:10, the pathfinder aircraft departs from Royal Air Force Harwell, marking the beginning of the operation. Simultaneously, at 23:10, A Company and anti-tank gun gliders take off, following the designated flight path towards the drop zone.

Two minutes later, at 23:12, the main body of the battalion departs from Royal Air Force Broadwell, beginning its airborne journey towards the objective.

The rendezvous organisation party and the Trowbridge reconnaissance Party are successfully dropped and proceed according to plan. The party deploys from a Royal Air Force Dakota, exiting in rapid succession to ensure they land close together. Their parachute drop is precisely timed, and they descend into the designated Drop Zone V at approximately 00:20 hours on June 6^th, 1944, alongside the pathfinders responsible for marking the Drop zone.

The Trowbridge Party moves immediately from the Drop Zone to the Merville Battery site (about 2.5 kilometre away) under cover of darkness and observe the German defences. ​Major Smith’s team approaches the battery perimeter and spends time lying just outside the inner wire, listening to enemy activity and assessing their alertness​.

Meanwhile, the aircraft that carrying the 9^th Parachute Battalion encounter moderate anti-aircraft fire while crossing the coast. The Battalion is scattered during the drop with a lot of paratroopers landing far from their designated zones. One stick is misplaced as much as 50 kilometres east of the battery position. Lieutenant Colonel Otway’s is dropped close to the designated drop zone but directly on top of a German headquarters. A brief skirmish ensues before the party is able to disengage and proceed towards the assembly area. Half of the taping party lands also close to their designated dropzone and manages to reach their objective. Unfortunately, they are deployed into marshland, causing the loss of their equipment, including essential marking tape.

By 02:35, only 110 men have gathered at the battalion’s rendezvous point. Equipment shortages are severe, with only ten Bangalore torpedoes available and no scaling ladders. There is no sign of the five gliders carrying additional stores and vehicles. Given the situation, Lieutenant Colonel Otway decides to delay for a further fifteen minutes in the hope that more troops and equipment will arrive.

By 02:50, the battalion’s strength has increased to 150 men, along with an additional ten Bangalore torpedoes. Each company now numbers approximately 30 troops but no engineers, nor the naval liaison officers arepresent. There are sufficient signals personnel to maintain communications, but the shortages remain critical. The battalion has only one medium machine gun, half of a sniping party, and no 3-inch mortars, 6-pounder guns, jeeps, trailers, glider stores, sappers, or field ambulance support. The mine detectors are also missing, and one company commander is unaccounted for.

Recognising that further delay risks jeopardising the mission, Lieutenant Colonel Otway orders the advance to begin immediately. With little choice but to proceed, Otway advances with the limited force available. As the battalion moves forward, the reconnaissance officer and his team link up with the main force. This party has already cut through the outer cattle fence and infiltrated the minefield, reaching the inner wire. There, they have waited for half an hour, quietly identifying enemy positions by listening to conversations. The Royal Air Force bombing raid has entirely missed its target, with its bombs falling to the south, posing no threat to the Germans but landing perilously close to the reconnaissance team. They are then joined by the taping party, who mark the approach routes by pressing their heels into the dust, as they have no tape. Remarkably, despite having no mine detectors, they accomplish this task without suffering a single casualty. Several tripwires are discovered and neutralised by feeling their way forward with their hands.

Based on the reconnaissance report, the commanding officer revises the assault plan. Instead of breaching the wire in three places as originally planned, he orders two gaps to be made, each assigned to a 15-man breaching team. A and C Companies are merged into a single assault force. At approximately 04:15, upon receiving orders from Lieutenant Colonel Otway to proceed with the assault, Major A.J.M. Parry reorganises the composite company into four assault sections, each consisting of around twelve men. Given the reduced numbers, these teams are assigned to attack the designated casemates. Two of these sections will advance through each gap. During the approach march, the battalion comes under heavy artillery fire and narrowly avoids contact with a German patrol, estimated to be 20 strong.

By 04:30, the assault sections, led by Major Allen Parry prepare to advance along two of the cleared paths. As they reach the firm base, enemy fire erupts from as many as six German machine-guns, three on each flank, with a further four inside the perimeter. Lieutenant Colonel Otway dispatches the battalion’s only available medium machine gun to silence the enemy weapons on the left flank, a task it successfully accomplishes.

Meanwhile, the diversionary party, now reduced to a Sergeant Knight and six men, advances along the right flank towards their objective. They engage three of these guns near the main entrance, eliminating the crews using bayonets and grenades, while the battalion’s only available Vickers machine-gun suppresses the enemy positions on the opposite flank. Knight’s men then move to the main entrance and initiate the diversionary attack, opening fire with all available weapons to distract the defenders.

At the same time, two of the assault gliders approach the Battery, though the third has been forced to turn back over Great Britain due to a snapped tow rope. Locating the target in darkness proves difficult. Their visibility is further impaired by lingering cloud and smoke from the earlier bombing raid. Both come under heavy anti-aircraft fire, sustaining hits. At this moment, Lieutenant Colonel Otway observes the two gliders circling the battery. The troops on the ground are supposed to guide them in using Eureka beacons, but none have been recovered, forcing the pilots to navigate by sight. With no mortars available, the battalion is unable to fire star shells to illuminate the target for the pilots.

One glider mistakes a village two kilometres away for the Battery. The second glider correctly identifies the objective but is fired upon by a machine-gun during its final approach. Four men inside are wounded. The pilot, Staff Sergeant Kerr, notices a warning sign indicating he is about to land in a minefield. He pulls up just in time and instead lands in a woodland area designated as the battalion’s firm base, 700 metres from the Battery. The glider crashes, injuring several men. The survivors disembark in time to ambush a German patrol marching towards the Battery. Though heavily outnumbered, this glider force holds off the enemy for four hours.

As the glider passes overhead, Otway gives the order to attack. Major Parry blows his whistle, Bangalore torpedoes are detonated to further clear the barbed wire, and Otway calls out, “Get in!” the four assault sections surge forward. However, at this moment, three enemy machine guns open fire from the right flank. In response, Major Parry orders a Bren gun team to return fire. It is believed that one of the enemy positions is neutralised by this light machine gun. Meanwhile, the remainder of the company continues its advance towards the casemates, engaging the enemy as they move.

Progress is hindered by the heavily cratered terrain, which slows movement considerably. In the darkness, the unmarked paths through the minefield are difficult to discern, and some men inevitably stray onto mines. While crossing the minefield, two paratroopers are believed to have been killed. Approximately 50 metres inside the wire, Major Parry sustains a wound to his leg. Though painful, it is not severe enough to prevent him from continuing the assault.

Amidst the chaos of enemy fire and detonating mines, the paratroopers advance, firing from the hip and throwing grenades at any defensive positions in their path. Initially caught off guard, the German garrison swiftly regroups, launching flares to illuminate the battlefield and calling in shellfire from a battery at Cabourg, which directs its fire onto the minefield.

At the same time, the diversionary force successfully breaches the main gate. Once inside, the commanding officer recalls the breaching teams and forms them into a reserve force. This group is then sent forward to clear the area between the command post and the gun positions to silence the last remaining machine-guns.

By now, the assault sections have reached the casemates, engaging the defenders at close quarters. Major Parry’s men open fire on the casemates, inflicting casualties on the enemy inside. He then orders a ceasefire, at which point between thirty and forty German soldiers emerge from their positions and surrender. On reaching the gun emplacements, it becomes clear that the weapons are not the expected 150-millimetre pieces but rather 75-millimetre guns. As the troops close in on the casemates, they come under moderate artillery fire from enemy positions further afield, resulting in further casualties.

Despite this, Major Parry proceeds with overseeing the destruction of the first two guns. Various methods are attempted before he places two shells nose to nose inside Number 2 gun and fires them. This method appears effective, and he is satisfied that the weapon is rendered inoperable for a sufficient duration to prevent interference with the seaborne landings. Number 1 gun, which is positioned outside its casemate and facing south, is neutralised by removing critical components of the breech block.

Major Parry then inspects Number 3 gun after the assigned team has completed its task and withdrawn. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Halliburton proceeds to assess Number 4 gun, later reporting back that he considers it to have been successfully disabled. The battle gradually dies down as the last of the German resistance is overcome. The battalion, now reduced to just 80 men, is forced to endure continuous shelling. At 04:45, the success signal is fired, and a carrier pigeon is dispatched to England to confirm the operation’s outcome.

By 05:00, the position is completely secured. The aftermath is grim, with casualties scattered across the Battery. Casualties have been heavy. One officer has been killed, with four others wounded. Among the other ranks, 65 men are listed as killed, wounded, or missing, though this figure does not include those who have suffered severe injuries. The German garrison, originally numbering around 130 men, is almost wiped out. Only six remain unscathed.

As he begins organising the prisoners for evacuation, Lieutenant Slade arrives and warns that H.M.S. Arethusa is due to commence shelling the battery within minutes. Major Parry immediately instructs Lieutenant Halliburton to lead the first and second sections back to Lieutenant Colonel Otway’s Battalion Headquarters. By this point, Parry is feeling weakened due to significant blood loss but manages to follow the company as they withdraw from the battery.

Enemy shelling continues throughout the withdrawal, resulting in further casualties. Upon reaching the main body of the battalion, Major Parry proceeds to the advanced dressing station, where he receives medical treatment for his wound.

Protection of the Left Flank of 9th Parachute Battalion

A Company of the 1^st Canadian Parachute Battalion is assigned to protect the left flank of the 9^th Parachute Battalion. At around 01:00 hours on June 6^th, 1944, A Company of the 1^st Canadian Parachute Battalion descends into Normandy as part of the airborne assault. Lieutenant Clancy reaches the designated Company Rendezvous but finds only a handful of his men present. He waits for further arrivals, yet as the minutes pass, it becomes evident that most of the company remains unaccounted for. Determined to assess the situation, he decides to carry out a reconnaissance of Gonneville-sur-Merville, a village situated at map reference. With only two men accompanying him, he advances cautiously towards the settlement. The group moves carefully through the darkened streets, finding no sign of German troops. With the area appearing deserted, he returns to the Company Rendezvous at approximately 06:60 hours. By this time, an additional officer and twenty men from the battalion have gathered, along with several soldiers from other units of the 3^rd Parachute Brigade.

Now reinforced, the group follows the predetermined route towards the Merville Battery. Their movement is unopposed, though they witness the aftermath of an intense Royal Air Force bombing run over Gonneville-sur-Merville. Upon reaching the area, they find that the 9^th Parachute Battalion has successfully stormed the battery despite being heavily outnumbered. With the primary objective completed, the Canadian contingent of A Company receives further orders. Their first task is to clear a chateau, from which a German machine gun position has been engaging their forces. They advance to the site, conduct a thorough search, and neutralise the threat.

Following this, the men assume the role of rear guard for the 9^th Parachute Battalion as it withdraws towards Le Plein, ensuring that no German counterattack disrupts the movement. The party departs the battalion’s position at Le Plein at 09:00 hours and makes its way towards Le Mesnil-Bavent, where the 1^st Canadian Parachute Battalion is holding a key crossroads. After several hours of steady movement, they arrive at their destination at 15:30 hours on June 6^th, 1944, securing their position and concluding their mission.

Le Plein

By this stage, the battalion’s strength has dwindled to just 80 men of all ranks, with only a single machine gun remaining. There are no mortars, no field ambulance support, and no engineers, only a handful of unit medical orderlies. The commanding officer also has 22 prisoners under his charge, in addition to his own wounded personnel. Among the captives, he identifies a German medical officer and two medical orderlies. He decides to leave the wounded in their care, along with two of his own medical orderlies, at a nearby château. Shortly after, the battalion’s numbers are reinforced by the crew of a glider, who have been engaged in combat with a German platoon in the vicinity. This brings their strength to approximately 100 men.

The battalion immediately begins its advance across country towards Le Plein. The movement is uneventful until, shortly after setting out, a formation of Allied aircraft flies overhead. Presumably mistaking them for enemy troops, the aircraft release two sticks of heavy bombs. The bombs fall on either side of the column, parallel to their line of advance. By sheer good fortune, no casualties result.

As they approach the village of Hauger, on the northern slopes of Le Plein, a Frenchman warns them that the village is occupied by 200 men, Russians who have been impressed into the German Army after being captured on the Eastern Front.

At 09:00, as the battalion nears a road junction, it comes under fire from the front and the left flank. The enemy force, numbering between 30 and 40 men, begins to withdraw towards a crossroads on the eastern outskirts of the village. The leading elements of the column press forward, launching a direct assault along the road. This attack succeeds in dislodging the defenders, who retreat further into the village, leaving 15 of their dead behind.

Now holding a stronger position, the enemy has machine guns covering both flanks. In response, the commanding officer secures the houses at the eastern edge of the village. The enemy then attempts a counterattack, advancing from the right through the surrounding orchards. However, as they close in, the battalion’s single remaining Vickers machine gun opens fire at a range of just 20 metres. The attack immediately collapses, leaving another dozen enemy dead.

It soon becomes clear that the key to the enemy’s position lies in one particular house. The commanding officer orders a force of 30 men to flank right and attack it from the rear. The assault fails. The house has been well prepared for defence, with loopholes covering all sides. A six-foot-high wall surrounds the building, with machine guns firing along fixed lines along its edges.

Lacking the strength to clear the enemy from the village, the commanding officer decides to consolidate. He establishes his main force in a château on the outskirts while leaving one section to hold the road junction.

The situation now reaches a stalemate. Despite their superior numbers, the enemy does not attempt further attacks. Instead, they rely heavily on snipers, who are expertly concealed and positioned. The accuracy of their fire varies. Some are persistent but fail to adapt, continuing to fire from the church tower even as one man after another is killed. By the end of the engagement, six dead snipers are found inside the tower.

The most effective counter to this threat proves to be the tactic of setting a sniper against a sniper. By carefully observing enemy movements, the battalion’s own marksmen locate and eliminate the opposing snipers one by one. This stalemate persists for nearly 24 hours, until the afternoon of June 7^th, 1944, when No. 1 Special Service Brigade arrives. The Commandos swiftly clear the village of enemy forces and relieve the battalion of its responsibility for holding the Le Plein feature.

Multimedia

9th Parachute Battalion

Merville Battery Reconnaissance Photographs

Merville Battery Scale Model

Operational Area

Amfreville