Army Group 1944 Battlefield Tours

28/01/2025

𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀 𝟎𝟐 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟓- 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝐏𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐒 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫.

Hall One – Listed Stand: John Redfern STAND 336/337

𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐘 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟒 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬

After Neil’s successful 6th Airborne presentation at the Army Air Museum at Middle Wallop on Monday Night (171 participated!) – he will be available at the above event to talk about his PEGASUS BRIDGE Book and the Battlefield Tour we are planning for 13 to 16 May 2025.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤, 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨:
We are hiring a sixteen seater luxury mini coach for the trip. 14 seats are available. It will be a four-day trip starting from Ashford Kent (reasonable week long car parking is available near the start point.) then Euro Tunnel, drive Calais to Caen for briefings and scene setting. Next two days touring the 6th Airborne battle sites in detail and the final day is the return trip. Accommodation is in a 3 Star Hotel B&B. Costs are held down as tight as possible, early bird discount 10% so £765 per person, (advertised at £850) which includes, presentations from Neil Barber Historian & Author, Major John Redfern, Tour Manager and Battlefield Guide, accommodation B&B, vehicle hire, crossing costs, peage, a visit to the 6th Airborne Museum Ranville. Stage payments can be arranged. £100 deposit in the first instance to secure your place. Single supplement available.

John Redfern

𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟒 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬

[email protected] or [email protected] Reply YES by email for more tour information, or message our page!

17/01/2025

𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟏𝟑 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟔 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 – 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭

We are now in a position to make further bookings for the 6th Airborne Battlefield Tour with Neil Barber this May in Normandy. 13th to 16th May inclusive.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟏𝟎% 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭:

This brings this specialised Author guided tour to £765 per person. (a single room supplement is an additional cost).

Reply: 𝐘𝐞𝐬 to this e-mail address: 𝐣𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐧𝟏𝟒𝟓@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 and I will forward the booking details.

𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? Neil & I will be at his 6th Airborne talk at the Army Air Museum, Middle Wallop, Hampshire, SO20 8FB at 7pm. Booking essential via the Museum

Background:

Since launching his new book “PEGASUS BRIDGE” Neil Barber and I have been planning a Battlefield Tour to visit the battle locations at Benouville, Ranville, Merville, Breville-Les –Monts, Chateau St-Come and Troarn to bring the D-Day history alive through Neil’s extensive 6th Airborne knowledge and the many veterans anecdotes he has recorded.

We are hiring a sixteen seater luxury mini coach for the trip. 14 seats are available. It will be a four-day trip starting from Ashford Kent, Euro Tunnel, Calais to Caen for briefings and scene setting. Next two days touring the 6th Airborne battle sites in detail and the final day is the return trip.

Accommodation is in a 3 Star Hotel B&B. Costs are held down as tight as possible, early bird discount 10% so £765 per person, (advertised at £850) which includes, presentations from Neil Barber Historian & Author, Major John Redfern, Tour Manager and Battlefield Guide, accommodation B&B, vehicle hire, crossing costs, peage, a visit to the 6th Airborne Museum Ranville. Stage payments can be arranged. £100 deposit in the first instance to secure your place. Single supplement available.

John Redfern

Army Group 1944 Battlefield Tours
www.armygroup1944battlefieldtours.com/tours/

13/01/2025

A reminder: 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸: 𝗣𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗦𝗨𝗦 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗚𝗘

Start 7pm on 27th January 2025 at the Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop, Hampshire, SO20 8FB

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹, 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄.

For more ticket Information, see:
https://armyflying.com/what-s-on/events/pegasus-bridge-the-capture-defence-and-relief-of-the-caen-canal-and-river-orne-bridges-on-d-day/

If you are unable to be there on the night, buy an online pass from the museum to watch live and join in the Q&A, or watch on catch up afterwards. Simply select a session, this is a requirement of the museums online ticketing system, but it doesn't matter which session you select because you can watch the lecture at any time from 7pm on Monday 27th January. You will be sent a link to the page where you'll be able to view the lecture. Initially see the above link.

Also : For Information on the “Pegasus Bridge Battlefield Tour” we will be in support of Neil on the evening to answer your questions.

https://www.armygroup1944battlefieldtours.com/

02/01/2025

The “ PEGASUS BRIDGE” 6th Airborne Battlefield Tour, with NEIL Barber.
13th to the 16th May 2025 – in Normandy, France.

Since launching his new book “PEGASUS BRIDGE” Neil Barber and I have been planning a Battlefield Tour to visit the battle locations at Benouville, Ranville, Merville, Breville-Les –Monts, Chateau St-Come and Troarn to bring the D-Day history alive through Neil’s extensive 6th Airborne knowledge and the many veterans anecdotes he has recorded.

We are hiring a sixteen seater luxury mini coach for the trip. 14 seats are available. It will be a four-day trip starting from Ashford Kent, Euro Tunnel, Calais to Caen for briefings and scene setting. Next two days touring the 6th Airborne battle sites in detail and the final day is the return trip.

Accommodation is in a 3 Star Hotel B&B. Costs are held down as tight as possible, £850 per person, which includes, presentations from Neil Barber Historian & Author, Major John Redfern, Tour Manager and Battlefield Guide, accommodation B&B, vehicle hire, crossing costs, peage, a visit to the 6th Airborne Museum Ranville. Stage payments can be arranged. £100 deposit in the first instance to secure your place.

Regards,
Neil Barber & John Redfern
Tour Manager and Battlefield Tour Guide

More details:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ag1944battlefieldtours.com

19/10/2024

After Neil Barbers, successful book launch of “𝐏𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞” on the 6th June in Normandy this Summer, we are planning for 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, Battlefield Tours to follow the actions of the 6th Airborne Division in Normandy in 1944.

More information will be published in 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫.

If, however this weekend, you are coming to the 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 at the 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝, 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧, 𝐖𝐑𝟏𝟑 𝟔𝐍𝐖 come and find out more information with 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐧, 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥’𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐖𝟐 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧.

Located at 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟒 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚, 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟐𝟐𝟓 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝟒 𝐖𝐲𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥

Look out for the Poster “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧.”

27/08/2024

Neil Barber had an amazing time this weekend meeting and chatting with you all about his new book, and the Tour!

To get a copy of Neil’s new book, go here:
https://www.sabrestorm.com/book-item/pegasus-bridge-by-neil-barber/

To come on one of our tours lead by Neil himself, visit our page, or head over to:
https://www.armygroup1944battlefieldtours.com/

If you are visiting us, pop and say hi to this wonderful author, and grab a copy of his book.
Neil Barber has written a book called Pegasus Bridge, based on his research and interviews with ww2 veterans from the 6th Airbourne, the book gives an in depth specialist view of the battles

23/08/2024

"We look forward to seeing you over the weekend!" - 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐫

𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭:
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁, 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝟬𝟰𝟰/𝗶𝟬𝟰𝟰𝗔
Army Group 1944/Militaria/Battlefield Tours
1944 6th Airborne Battlefield Tours
𝗔𝗴𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟰𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺

11/08/2024

"𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝!"
- 𝐀𝐥 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐲

𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭:
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁, 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝟬𝟰𝟰/𝗶𝟬𝟰𝟰𝗔
Army Group 1944/Militaria/ Battlefield Tours
1944 6th Airborne Battlefield Tours
𝗔𝗴𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟰𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺

02/08/2024

𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭:
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁, 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝟬𝟰𝟰/𝗶𝟬𝟰𝟰𝗔
Army Group 1944/Militaria/ Battlefield Tours
1944 6th Airborne Battlefield Tours
𝗔𝗴𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟰𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺

06/06/2024

𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐭 (𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀. 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 (𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭) 𝐨𝐟 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲. 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲.

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not
here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any
Speaks
That fought with us upon (D-Day) Saint Crispin’s day.”

Abridged from Henry V, Act IV, Scene III
William Shakespeare

05/06/2024

𝐏𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞

No 96 Glider came to a stop in the barbered wire. The control tower of the bridge can be seen in the background, less than 100 yards away.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭, 𝐆𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝟗𝟏:

“It was nine minutes past midnight when, with a rumble and a final chatter, I came to rest six yards from our allotted spot, less than 100 yards from our objective of the bridge. There was the briefest moment of total silence. “You are in the right place sir” I announced to a pleasantly surprised Mr Fox, (Lieutenant Fox) and before I could even leave my seat he and his men had flung open the door and alighted in a stampede of boots”

A quote from Pegasus Bridge – 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.

05/06/2024

“𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐲”
Monty’s message to troops of 21st Army Group, prior to D-Day landings 1944
𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟒, 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐔𝐊

“The time has come to deal the enemy a terrific blow in Western Europe. The blow will be struck by combined sea, land and air forces of the Allies together constituting one great Allied team, under the supreme command of General Eisenhower.

On the eve of this great adventure, I send my best wishes to every soldier in the Allied team. To us is given the honour of striking a blow for freedom, which will live in history. And in the bitter days that lie ahead, men will speak with pride of our doings. WE have a great and a righteous cause.

Let us pray that “The Lord Mighty in Battle” will go forth with our armies, and that His special providence will aid us in the struggle.

I want every soldier to know that I have complete confidence in the successful outcome of the operations we are now about to begin.

With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory.

Good luck to each one of you. And good hunting on the mainland of Europe.”

General Bernard L Montgomery
C in C 21 Army Group

02/06/2024

Neil Barber’s eagerly awaited new, WW2 80th Anniversary “𝐏𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞” 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 and is available through 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬@𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦.𝐜𝐨𝐦

Many of you I know will be in Normandy this week for the 80th Anniversary Commemorations. Enjoy, it will be a unique experience.

𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞, Neil is launching his book at 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥-𝐩𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐬.𝐨𝐫𝐠 the excellent 6th Airborne Museum outside 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞.

For those of you who aren’t in France but would like to get a signed copy – we will be holding a book signing on our stand at the Military Odyssey at Detling on the August Bank Holiday weekend: https://www.facebook.com/military.odyssey

Still want more: 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫, in Normandy with Neil between 𝟏𝟎 – 𝟏𝟑 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 See 𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐬://𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐲𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟒𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬.𝐜𝐨𝐦/

More details to follow once Neil gets back from Normandy.

21/05/2024

(𝘗𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥: The Merville Gun Battery, Normandy, taken on 28th May 1944 after several air raids.)

Colonel Otway, (9th Bn. Para. Regt.) having outlined the method of assault, decided that detailed training was required to familiarise the men with their specific tasks, deduce the necessary equipment and add the fine detail to the assault plan.

On the 8th of May 1944, after direct Brigade negotiations with the Landowners at Walbury Hill, near Newbury, a mock-up (using tubular scaffolding, covered with canvas) of the Merville Battery was constructed by the RE’s and the Para’s. All the features such as minefields, tank traps, trenches and wire, plus hedges, trees and tracks on the route to the Battery were also accurately reproduced.

Nine rehearsals followed, five by day and four by night (using live ammunition).

After the final exercise, “a 24 hours leave in the local area was granted. Security was tested by some thirty attractive, well dressed WAAFs in civilian clothes. All concerned had an excellent time and the integrity of the troops was proved to be complete, at any rate as regards security!”

The Battalion returned to Bulford Camp on the 19th May 1944 for final preparations.

05/05/2024

May 1944: Lt Colonel Terence Otway
Commanding Officer, 9th Parachute Battalion.

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭

Colonel Otway, in April 1944, 80 years ago, was called to a meeting with Brigadier James Hill, the Brigade Commander of 3 Para Brigade. Firstly, Brigadier Hill told him that he was promoted to Lt Colonel and was to take command of the 9th Battalion forthwith. He was also told that the 9ths D-Day task was a “Grade “A” stinker of a job”; to neutralise the guns of a heavily defended coastal battery.

Col Otway was driven to the Divisional Intelligence HQ, near Bulford. He was locked in an upstairs room, in which the walls were festooned with photographs, maps and diagrams. On a large table lay a model of the Battery and its surrounding area.

After a week analysing the mass of information, Colonel Otway and one of his officers, Captain Robert Gordon-Brown, had formulated an assault plan.

“The basis of my plan was surprise and the fact that I did not intend to allow the (Enemy) garrison to concentrate on any one point; they would have to look several ways at once.”

05/04/2024

Neil Barber's latest book is being published soon!

"𝐏𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐃-𝐃𝐚𝐲"

This is Neil Barbers 80th Anniversary Edition book commemorating the 6th Airborne in Normandy 1944.

The book will be published on or before 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟔𝐭𝐡

It will be available from Sabrestorm Publishing: [email protected]

Also available at: Casemate Publishing, Amazon, other online bookshops, plus all decent bookshops that stock hardbacks!

10/03/2024

𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐏𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐫.

The dates for the tour we are planning are:

𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒.

The Tour is of 4-day duration:

Day 1: Rendezvous at Ashford International Station, ferry crossing from Dover to Calais, then drive to Caen and the battle area. Scene setting, briefing.
Day 2: The 6th June 1944, actions at the Pegasus and Orne Bridges, then the defence of Benouville, the relief at Le Port and the Ranville LZ/DZ and subsequent actions.
Day 3: Varaville and the Canadians. The 9th Battalion attack on the Merville Battery and the subsequent combat actions at Chateau St Come.
Day 4: the reverse of day one to return mid-afternoon at Ashford subject to ferries working and the weather.

03/03/2024

𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐏𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐫.

The dates for the tour we are planning are:

𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒.

The Tour is based on Neil’s books “The Day the Devils dropped in” and the “Pegasus and Orne Bridges”, their capture, defence and relief on D-day 1944.

Neil extensively interviewed nearly all of the surviving WW2 veterans from these historic battles and this research enabled his exciting books to come about.
Neil Barber and John Redfern have teamed up, as 6th Airborne enthusiasts, to provide a tour that focuses purely on the 6th Airborne Division in Normandy 1944 and especially from D-Day to D+6.

For more information, Visit our website: https://www.armygroup1944battlefieldtours.com