Battlefield Sites     Ranville

The following pictures were taken in Spring 2002 at the WWII Normandy battlefield sites of the 6th Airborne Division. The photos were made possible by using the excellent, highly accurate and indispensable reference book, Pegasus Bridge, Merville Battery, by Carl Shilleto. This page covers Ranville, a village near one of the main landing zones for the 6th Airborne during the Normandy Invasion. It is also the site of a cemetery where many of the 6th Airborne Division's casualties are buried. Click on any image to view a full-size version of the photograph. Ranville Landing Zones To the east of Pegasus Bridge and Horsa Bridge, on a gently rising plain, is a large flat cultivated area cleared of trees. This was designated as Drop Zone/Landing Zone 'N' for the Normandy Landings on June 6th, 1944. Around 1am on the morning of June 6th, the 5th Parachute Brigade commanded by Brigadier Nigel Poett landed at DZ/LZ 'N', after the area was marked by pathfinders of the 22nd Independent Parachute Company. The photo to the right shows a wide-angle view of the drop zone looking east towards the high ground of Bréville. Behind this spot one would see Horsa and Pegasus Bridges. The 13th Parachute Battalion moved into the village of Ranville just to the southeast of the drop zone, while the 12th Parachute Battalion moved to the south to secure the division's perimeter. During the day Royal Engineer parachutists cleared the area of anti-glider poles placed there by the Germans. This allowed the a massive airlift at 9pm in the evening of June 6th to land at DZ/LZ 'N'. Several hundred gliders used the area to bring in the majority of the 6th Airlanding Brigade and the supporting arms of the 6th Airborne Division. The DZ/LZ remained under German observation and fire throughout the day. The photo above shows a close-up photo of the landing area, with the high ground to the east showing in the distance. Ranville Village There are a number of Airborne memorials in the village of Ranville, as this village was one of the first to be liberated during the Normandy Invasion. In the center of the village across the street from the church is the marie and local library. In a small square in front of these buildings are several memorials, including a bust of General Gale, the commanding officer of the 6th Airborne Division in 1944, shown here. Behind the bust of Gen. Gale is a plaque dedicated to the 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion, and commemorating the liberation of the village in the early morning of June 6th. During the initial landings on DZ/LZ 'N' two companies of the 13th Battalion secured the Ranville. Later in the evening the 2nd Battalion Oxs & Bucks (including Major Howard's coup de main party) took up positions in Ranville. Ranville Church Cemetery The Ranville Church, shown to the right, has a large walled cemetery that includes the graves of 47 Commonwealth soldiers. These graves are in a row along the outer wall on the western side of the cemetery. One of the most recognizable names to those who study the history of the Airborne forces is Lt. Dan Brotheridge, who is buried here. Lt. Brotheridge was a member of the coup de main party that stormed Pegasus Bridge. He was mortally wounded as led his men across the bridge into Bénouville. A memorial plaque behind his gravestone was provided for by the Gondree family, the first in France to be liberated by Allied forces. An unusual gravestone located here is that of Bombadier H. Hall of the 53rd Airlanding Light Regiment Royal Artillery, which was the artillery unit attached to the 6th Airborne Division. Bombadier Hall is listed as killed in action on June 5th, 1944, a day before the invasion. Ranville War Cemetery Next to the Ranville Church is a large Commonwealth War Cemetery. Buried here are 2151 British soldiers and airmen, 76 Canadians, and 12 other Allied soldiers. There are also number of German war dead in the cemetery. The Ranville War cemetery is where the majority of the 6th Airborne's war dead are buried. The cemetery is very well cared for, as are all Allied cemetaries in France. The Ranville Cemetery has a Memorial Cross at the center. Topped by a pegasus and marked June 1944, it was built by a sapper of the 6th Airborne Division during the war. Its surrounding chain and posts are salvaged parts from gliders. Below are several graves from among the thousands there, hardly adequate in conveying the impression of the site or the sacrifice made by those buried there. From the left are: Pte. Corteil, a dog handler in the 9th Parachute Battalion who was buried with Glen, his dog; Maj. H.M. MacLeod of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion; Pte. R.E. Johns, a 16 year old parachutist; and Wing Commander L.V. Chadburn of the RCAF.          Touring the battlefield sites gives the student of history a much richer understanding of the events of the past. Walking through the locations where history happened is both a rewarding and moving experience. Be sure to bring a tour guide, maps, and histories of the actions as reference. Give yourself plenty of time to stop and read about the sites you are visiting.