Merville Gun Battery. A day with SNAFU.

Merville Battery was an important gun battery for the Germans and one of the first targets of the British army to overcome on June 6th.
Tasked with this mammoth task was Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway. A man who was a planner! He recreated Merville in Inkpen, Wiltshire, to practice, practice, practice before taking off late on the 5th for landing around midnight on the morning of D Day. 
On the day he set off with three gliders but the operation was blighted from the start. A combination of problems including the marking " Eureka Beacons " being damaged when they landed meant the attack was reduced severely and by 2.50AM, only 150 of his men had arrived at the battalions assembly point. The supplies were also reduced, leaving him only 20 Bangalore torpedoes and one Vickers machine gun. ( Six set off! )
The mortars, tape, anti-tank gun, mine detectors, jeeps, sappers and ambulance section were all still missing. His only radio set wasn't working either.

Its an amazing story, one to research, and we thank the museum for their hospitality.
The CMP was parked just next to the Dakota they have outside their large hangar, restored and open to the public.

I hope you enjoy these pictures. More will be available once we are home, but for now, here is a small selection.
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