A night view of the Pegasus Bridge near to Bénouville in Normandy, France. The first piece of French land liberated on June 1944
Image details
Contributor:
Paolo De Faveri / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
B35D1EFile size:
48.5 MB (1.4 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
4756 x 3567 px | 40.3 x 30.2 cm | 15.9 x 11.9 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
August 2007Location:
Bénouville, Lower Normandy France EuropeMore information:
Pegasus Bridge is a bascule bridge a type of movable bridge over the Caen Canal near the small villages of Benouville and Ouistreham Lower Normandy France The bridge also known as the Bénouville Bridge after the neighbouring village was a major objective of Operation Tonga Units landed by glider near it during the Normandy Invasion on 5 6 June 1944 It was given the permanent name of Pegasus Bridge in honour of the operation This name derives from the shoulder emblem worn by the attacking British which is the flying horse Pegasus On the night of 5 6 June 1944 a force of 181 men led by Major John Howard landed in six Horsa gliders to capture Pegasus Bridge The object of this action was to prevent German armour from crossing the bridge and attacking the eastern flank of the landings at Sword Beach The operation being successful the bridge became the very first part of French soil to be liberated The events around Pegasus Bridge are depicted in the movie The Longest Day with the role of Major Howard played by Richard Todd who actually partecipated to the operation