Chapter 6, D-Day: 0026 - 0600 Hours, pgs. 106-118 Summary and Analysis

Now that the bridges were captured, Howard had to be concerned with defending them. They knew the Germans could attack at anytime. He figured the paratroopers would begin landing at Ranville within thirty minutes. The problems would be the canal bridge. They could hear tanks and didn't have much that they could use against them.

The doctor arrived and Howard had him tend to Brotheridge and Wood. Brotheridge died shortly after receiving a shot of morphine. He was the first Allied soldier to be killed on D-Day.

When the planes flew in to drop the paratroopers, the Pathfinders lit flares to guide them and the Germans lit up the sky with search lights. It would take them a half hour to reach the bridge. Brigadier Poett arrived at 0052 hours. They could...