Why was Pegasus Bridge important during D-Day?

Pegasus Bridge spanned the Caen Canal and was vital to controlling movement between Caen and the coast. Capturing it intact prevented German armor from reaching Sword Beach and allowed Allied forces to move inland securely.

How did training prepare the Ox and Bucks for success?

The regiment underwent rigorous conditioning, including a 135-mile endurance march from Ilfracombe to Bulford in 1942. This training built stamina, discipline, and cohesion, enabling them to execute the assault under extreme pressure.

Who was Sergeant Alfred Gordon Gooch?

Sergeant Alfred Gordon Gooch was among the Ox and Bucks soldiers who spearheaded the Pegasus Bridge assault. His service exemplifies the transformation of citizen-soldiers into elite airborne troops through conditioning and leadership.

What is the legacy of Pegasus Bridge today?

Pegasus Bridge is commemorated through museums, memorials, and endurance events such as The Forces March. It remains a symbol of airborne courage and preparation, with figures like actor Richard Todd linking lived history to cultural memory.

First posted on December 04, 2025

Modified on December 06, 2025

The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Q: What was the role of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Pegasus Bridge?

On June 6, 1944, D Company of the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry, under Major John Howard, carried out a glider-borne coup de main assault to capture Pegasus Bridge. They secured the bridge intact within about 15 minutes, preventing German counterattacks and protecting the eastern flank of the Allied landings on Sword Beach.

Securing Pegasus Bridge on D-Day 1944

A Work in Progress

In the first minutes of Operation Overlord on 6 June 1944, D Company, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, commanded by Major John Howard, executed a textbook coup de main against Pegasus Bridge — a small but strategically vital crossing over the Caen Canal near Bénouville, Normandy.

Delivered by gliders under cover of darkness, the company landed on target and assaulted with speed and precision. Within fifteen minutes, the objective was secured intact, denying German forces the chance to destroy the crossing and ensuring the Allied eastern flank on Sword Beach remained protected.

The action was a model of discipline, surprise, and tactical efficiency. Personnel from North Devon were among those deployed to seize canal and river crossings and to fight ashore on the Normandy beaches, contributing directly to the Allied advance and the liberation of Europe.

Local Heroes: Combe Martin at Pegasus Bridge

The story of Pegasus Bridge is not only a chapter in world history, but also a moment of local pride. Personnel from Combe Martin served with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and took part in the coup de main glider assault on 6 June 1944.

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Sergeant Alfred Gordon Gooch – joined the assault across Pegasus Bridge, remembered for his stamina and leadership.
Combe Martin Airborne Volunteers – recruited from North Devon, their conditioning and discipline were vital to the rapid success of the mission.
Normandy Landings in 1944 – other personnel from Combe Martin and the wider area landed later on the Normandy beaches, reinforcing the bridgehead and securing the eastern flank.

These individuals embody the resilience and courage of North Devon people contributing to a decisive victory in Europe. Their legacy continues to inspire endurance events and memorial projects in North Devon today.