Sword Beach, British 3rd Infantry, D-Day, June 6 1944

Visit The War Years http://www.thewaryears.co.uk One of five Normandy beaches chosen by the Allies for Operation Overlord, the invasion of Nazi occupied Europe, Sword was the responsibility of the 3rd British Infantry Division. The beach is situated at the eastern edge of the D-Day invasion area, between the towns of Lion sur Mer and Ouistreham.

07:20Hrs: Special tanks of the 22nd Dragoons are the first ashore with demolition teams. They immediately engage the German defenders.

07:30Hrs: 20 LCA landing craft carrying the assault companies of the 1st South Lancs and 2nd East Yorks hit the beach. On Queen Red the fighting is intense and the 2nd East Yorks takes heavy casualties.

French troops clear Riva-Bella and capture the Casino strongpoint around 09:30Hrs. Britsh troops reach the Ouistreham harbor and capture the locks. N° 6 Commando then heads inland towards Bénouville (Pegasus) bridge and reaches it at 12:02Hrs.

3rd Infantry Division fails to achieve all its D-Day objectives. However, by day's end the 3rd Infantry Division has landed 28,845 men and 2,603 vehicles at a cost of 630 men killed or wounded.

Come and visit The War Years website to see our full range of WW2 commemorative merchandise and radio-controlled tanks and aircraft.

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[thewaryears1939]

Many thanks for sharing your story, which is much appreciated. I only learned this week that a colleague of mine's grandfather was also landed on Sword Beach on D-Day. He was RA but they lost their gun almost immediately and fought in Normandy as infantry. I'll hope to post some pics of him during the Normandy campaign soon. Best Regards

[thewaryears1939]

That's a fascinating story, we'd love to know more

[thewaryears1939]

Great to read about your Dad. Of course, medics did a doubly dangerous and essential role.

[lynbrae]

My father landed on Sword beach on d day he was part of the medical team british army thanks dad

[thewaryears1939]

@lynbrae Hello There: Many thanks for sharing, it's always great to hear from people who have a direct link with the history, and something to be proud of.

[BritAU2TH]

Posted in memory of my grandad, a regimental sergeant major of the East Yorkshire light infantry landed at Sword beach on 6th June. Thankfully he made it through to his objective at Cean and also made it through the war only to be took by Cancer in 1982.He joined up at 15 years old in 1936 and saw much of the action around Europe, middle east and North Africa during the war years. Ironically he was once stationed in Iraq as part of a pre war defence and training programme. How times change

[FLYWHEEL1967]

My father was there also with the Welsh fusiliers artillery....

And my mother's family was trying to push him back into the English channel and they where also fighing in russa

[bobnudd]

@lynbrae well said my great grandad fell on that beach , i and my son have since been there to honer him and his m8s who fell. we WILL NEVER FORGET ! FOR THEY GAVE THERE TOMMOROW SO WE COULD HAVE OUR TODAY!