‘A’ Company, 7th Parachute Battalion’s Heroic Defence of Benouville (and therefore Pegasus Bridge) on D-Day
Benouville was the village at the western end of Pegasus Bridge. It’s defence on D-Day was absolutely crucial because if lost, the route to the lightly defended bridge (by the Oxf and Bucks Coup de Main party) and the main road to Ouistreham and SWORD Beach would be open to the Germans. As mentioned in a previous post, this defence was the task of the 7th Parachute Battalion.
The battalion’s detailed defensive plan did not survive their scattered drop. Therefore, only the more basic elements of the plan were able to be implemented, and one of these was the defence of Benouville village by a very depleted ‘A’ Company commanded by Major Nigel Taylor.
Many publications, including recent ones produced for the 75th Anniversary, have attempted to explain the reason why the Germans were unable to break through Benouville and get to the bridge. Nearly all of them base their explanation on a quote by Hans Holler, a German soldier belonging to 8 Company, Heavy Panzergrenadier Regiment 192. He actually entered the Chateau de Benouville beside the Caen Canal, the Maternity Home building that gave a superb view of Pegasus Bridge and the area surrounding it. During the research for The Pegasus and Orne Bridges, I also corresponded with Hans Holler and can confirm his description of what he saw and his explanation as to why the Germans could not get to the bridge:
“The mass of enemy paratroopers fought doggedly and received continuous reinforcements from the coastal area. We had to watch, with great bitterness, the endlessly growing numbers against us, knowing we would receive no support. The most we could do was hold the position and try to interrupt the advance.”
What is vitally important is the context of this statement, and this is that Herr Holler entered the chateau in the early afternoon. Consequently, it completely ignores the fact that a German armoured formation that had arrived at Benouville during the early morning had attacked ‘A’ Company on numerous occasions – AND HAD FAILED TO BREAK THROUGH. The only anti-tank weapons that the Company possessed were the odd PIAT gun and gammon bombs that had to be physically placed on a vehicle. Holler also stated that they had managed to capture half of the village, but could progress no further. This is confirmed by both Major Taylor and his 2I/c, Captain Jim Webber.
What Holler and the Germans obviously failed to appreciate during the morning, and as shown above, well into the afternoon, was that due to the open ground behind them, the ever-dwindling remnants of ‘A’ Company had been cut off from the rest of the battalion for virtually the whole day and that included radio contact. There was NO REINFORCEMENT. The ‘constant reinforcements’ seen from the Chateau were the Commandos arriving at the T-Junction and HEADING EAST TO TAKE UP POSITION ON THE BREVILLE RIDGE, and seaborne Engineers who had arrived to build a Bailey Bridge across the canal.
The only ‘reinforcements’ to reach the ‘A’ Company position on the road during the early afternoon were three Sherman DD tanks of the 13th/18th Hussars, who were told by the Paras to go no further. For some reason, they ignored this advice, advanced along the road and were systematically knocked out. Throughout the day there were no ‘concerted attacks’ against the Germans, that is until the arrival of the 2nd Warwicks at around 9pm in the evening, when they were driven out of the village.
And so it is clear that the reasons for the Germans not capturing Benouville and quite possibly Pegasus Bridge, are the bravery of the ‘A’ Company men; the misreading by the Germans of their strength during the morning; and finally, during the afternoon, the impression given of reinforcement by the arrival of the Commandos and seaborne Engineers at the T-Junction, thereby deterring the Germans from making more concerted attacks.
Interesting article, thank you. I’m always fascinated about the differences in reporting individuals and regiments have on specific events. This from the adjutant 13/18RH, anything in brackets are my edits.
“One troop had already been dispatched to support the Commandos (Lovets) on their way to the Orne bridges and the Airborne troops at Benouville. This troop had an exciting day and proved invaluable to the Commandos who were entirely successful. Later in the day two tanks of the troop were knocked out in an engagement
on the southern approach to the bridges, however the remainder of the troop succeeded in accounting for the gun that did this.”
Thanks for the comment, Peter. As you say, it’s always very interesting to read, compare and analyse accounts. I remember reading this 13th/18th Hussars account during the research. I found that the two initial tanks that attached themselves to the commandos made their own decision to do this. The commandos had certainly not been told that they would be getting any armoured support during their advance to the bridges, but were grateful for it ! And at that stage (early afternoon), it certainly was not a complete Troop.
The claim of knocking out an anti-tank gun may well be an incident later in the evening when the liberation of the village took place. German sources confirm this. Thanks again.
Time is pressing and I can’t find the source but I’m sure one of the regimental memories claims the link up with the commandos was planned. However somewhere else I’ve come across the comment “some of ‘B’ squadron went swanning off with Lovet’s mob’. Which doesn’t sound exactly planned!
Thanks Peter. Will be interested to see that. Regards, Neil.
That could be true My late ungle wo11 Victor Bettle was in B company 7th,bln parachute regiment he was at le port And he told my late father that he remembers the royal marines coming up a small road with a Scottish piper playing a tune of BlackBear. There is also a picture of lord lovet with some of men standing And talking to some men from B company 7th parachute regiment in the picture there is Sgt Sidney cornell who jumped out of the same plane on early hours of 6th June 1944. As My ungle.
Hello,
I am fascinated reading this as I have always grown up being told that my grandfather was a commando and parachuted in to save Pegasus Bridge and it is said that he was on the bridge when the tanks came around the corner. Whilst growing up it was a topic never discussed by him but I am now curious to find out more about the part he played and to give him the true recognition he deserves as he was left truly disturbed by what he was involved with.
Hello Tracy, many thanks for the message. Apologies for the delay in getting back to you. I’ve been concentrating on research and writing for the last few months.
It’s very interesting to hear about your grandfather. What was his name and do you know what unit he served with ?
Regards,
Neil.
That could be true My late ungle wo11 Victor Bettle was in B company 7th,bln parachute regiment he was at le port And he told my late father that he remembers the royal marines coming up a small road with a Scottish piper playing a tune of BlackBear. There is also a picture of lord lovet with some of men standing And talking to some men from B company 7th parachute regiment in the picture there is Sgt Sidney cornell who jumped out of the same plane on early hours of 6th June 1944. As My ungle.