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6. Notes on Task and Plan of 8 British Inf Bde.

(a). The main task given to the 8 Br Inf Bde was to land, destroy the beach
defences and capture the high ground known as the Periers - sur - le Dan feature.

The Bde was then to hold a beach head through which the remainder of the
Division could land withthe object of capturing Caen. The Bde was never intended
to advance further inland than the Periers feature. The capture of Caen was the
task of 185 Br Inf Bde who were specially trained for the task and equipped with
bicycles.

(b). Being the left hand beach of the invasion it was nearest to the enemy
reserves and most likely to be counter attacked at an early hour. In fact it was
known that the 21 Pz Div was in the Caen area and might possibly spring a surprise
should the enemy obtain prior information of the landings. It was therefore most
important that the assault bde should seize a beach head as quickly as possible
and prepare to deal with any counter attacks. The right flank was considered the
most vulnerable as it was open whereas the left flank was covered by the R. Orne
and the Orne canal, whilst on the other side of the se obstacles was 6 Airborne Div.

(c). In addition to the defences in the immediate vicinity of the beaches and
behind them there were strong defences on each flank, on the right in Lion - sur - mer
was strong point and on the left in Ouistreham was a costal battery and strong
point. [crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out] To deal with these flank defences the assault brigade was given two
commandos "under command", 41 RM Cdo to deal with the right flank and 4 Cdo for the
left flank. Both these units were part and parcel of the assault bde for the
operation and were not under any other commander. Their tasks are plainly detailed
in the Bde O.O. No 2.

(d). 1 Special Service Bde(less 4 Cdo) were also put "under command" for landing
in case the assault bde required immediate reinforcement to gain their objectives
or were involved i n an immediate counter attack by the enemy.

(e). The assault bde were allotted two beaches - Queen White and Queen Red.

(f). The plan was simple. 1 S.L. were to land on Queen White and 2 E.Y. on
Queen Red, followed by the reserve battalion 1 Suffolk on Queen White.
41 R.M. Cdo was to follow 1 S.L. and 4 Cdo was to follow 2 E.Y. 1 S.S. Bde
was to land last on both beaches.

(g.) The fire support allotted consisted of the fire from 2 Battleships (15"),
1 Monitor(15"), 5 Cruisers(7.5"&6"), 11 Fleet Destroyers, 2 Hunt Class
Destroyers, 5 LCT(R) each 800 rockets, 3 Fd Regts R.A.(105mm) each 24 guns,
firing from LCTs, 3 LCG each 2 guns (4.7), 3 LCS each 1 mortar and mgs,
9 LCA(R) small rockets, 8 LCT(HE) with 95mm guns, and 4 LCF(Flak). All these
guns fired on a fixed programme during the run in to the beaches and by call
from FOBs and FOOs after landing.

(h). The Air Support covered all known battery positions by Heavy and Medium Oboe
bombing during the night of [crossed out] D-Day [end crossed out] D-l/D-Day and by heavy Day bombing up to
H-Hr. The beaches were heavily bombed from H-30 until H-Hr. Fighters and
Fighter Bombers covered the whole invasion force from hostile air attack and
engaged ground targets.

(i). Landing on White Beach 1 S.L. had the following tasks:-

H Hr. 2 assault Coys.

To capture beach defences up to first lateral
road. Right coy to then protect right flank
during subsequent landings and to assist 41 RM
Cdo. Left coy to then assist in capture of
strong point at the junction of the beaches.

H 20. Eemainder Bn.

To capture Hermanville then defend right flank
of beach head. Later clear Plumetot and
Cresserons if necessary.

Battalion had under command a Det 246 Fd Coy and Lt Sec Fd Amb, and in
support Sqdn 13/18 R.H., 33/76 Fd Regts R.A., SP Tp ATk Bty, and Pln MMG.