History of War

D-DAY: THE AIRBORNE INVASION

April 1944

EXERCISE MUSH

“Mush” is an enormous British airborne training exercise, which is spread over three days across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. The vast majority of the paratroopers are unaware that this is the preparation for Operation Overlord.

12.20am, 6 June 1944

1. OPERATION TONGA

“Tonga” is the codename for the airborne operation undertaken by the British 6th Airborne Division. Paratroopers land on the eastern flank of the invasion area near Caen. Objectives include the capture of two bridges as well as destroying the Merville Gun Battery.

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