Richard Todd - who played Major John Howard in the epic film about D-Day 1944 ("The Longest Day") was actually a D-Day veteran.
Indeed, he was part of the airborne landings that had captured Pegasus Bridge, alongside Major Howard.

This is the story of his D-Day experiences.


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Having embarked on an acting career after school in the 1930's, Richard Todd had enlisted in the british army the day after the Second World War (World War 2) was declared.

desperate to take part in action, in 1943 he volunteered for the newly formed Parachute regiment.
He became an officer in the 7th battalion of the Parachute Regiment, part of the 6th Airborne Division.

The 6th Airborne was commanded by General Richard Gale, who came up with a plan to protect the eastern flank of the Normandy landings (Operation Overlord) on D-Day (6th June 1944).

His own division would deliver a coup de main (or surprise attack).
180 men of the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry under Major John Howard would land in gliders and capture two key bridges over the Caen Canal and the River Orne.

They would be reinforced by the Parachute regiment landing half an hour behind them.
Amongst those parachutists was lt. Richard Todd.

Howard's airborne glider glider was a complete success.
By the time Todd and the other parachutists arrived, both bridges had been captured intact.

For the next 11 hours, Todd was involved in a bitter battle to retain the bridges as the Germans counter-attacked.

Meanwhile, allied troops were landing on the beaches of Normandy.
At around midday, the advance part of those troops relieved the airborne men at the bridges.

The eastern flank had been protected.
During D-Day (6th June 1944), nearly 150,000 allied troops landed in France. it was the beginning of the end for the Germans.

In 1962, Richard Todd was to play the role of Major John Howard in the film: "The Longest Day."



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#richardtodd #pagasusbridge #dday1944 #worldwar2 #operationoverlord #operationtonga

Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:00 Early Life
2:00 Enlists WW2
5:00 Joins Parachute regiment
6:25 Operation Tonga
7:47 Planned Para landings
8:53 D-Day -1
10:41 Glider Landings - Pegasus Bridge
12:30 Todd jumps
14:57 German counter-attack
16:17 Todd in action
18:32 Todd under fire
19:21 Lord Lovat arrives
19:59 Pegasus Bridge
20:27 Post-war career
21:30 6th Airborne casualties
22:06 Todd on 40th anniversary
22:35 The History Chap


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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"

Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

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