3 Comments

Colonel Otway led the operation.

https://www.paradata.org.uk/media/3311

As he was killed 6 weeks later no one in the family knew him. We didn't really know his role in the war until my father went to Normandy.

The Day the Devils Dropped In. Neil Barber, Pen & Sword Books 2002. ISBN 978-1-84415-045-8

I've been in touch with Neil Barber who described Uncle Willy as Colonel Otways 'right hand man'. I tried to find fellow veterans from 9-Para but alas too much time has passed.

Expand full comment

The Bletchley Park code-breaking centre has a great little offshoot room all about pigeeons. I was surprised to learn about one that had helped in the crucial Merville Battery raid that preceded the D-Day beach landings, in which my great uncle played a key role.

Expand full comment

Fascinating, thank you. Is there anything written about your great uncle anywhere? My dad was an army chaplain and landed on June 6.

Expand full comment