Operation Tonga was the codename for the British 6th Airborne Division’s mission during the early hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944. Taking place between June 5-7, this airborne operation marked the first wave of Allied forces landing in Normandy to begin the liberation of Western Europe. The paratroopers had critical objectives: to secure key bridges, destroy others, and protect the eastern flank of the main beach landings.
The operation began under the cover of darkness when brave British paratroopers jumped into occupied France. These soldiers faced the dangerous task of landing behind enemy lines with minimal support. Their mission included taking control of strategically important areas near Caen, including the village of Bénouville about 6 kilometers north of the city.
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Unlike some other allied operations, Operation Tonga was specifically carried out by British forces as part of the larger D-Day invasion plan. The paratroopers used various methods to communicate during the mission, including carrier pigeons to send messages back to headquarters. Their successful actions in the early hours of D-Day helped pave the way for the massive Allied invasion that would ultimately lead to victory in Europe.
The Strategic Importance of Operation Tonga
Operation Tonga played a crucial role in the D-Day landings by securing key objectives that would protect Allied forces landing on the beaches. The British 6th Airborne Division’s mission focused on capturing strategic bridges and disabling German defenses.
Role in Operation Overlord
Operation Tonga was one of the first airborne operations conducted during D-Day on June 6, 1944. It served as the eastern flank protection for the entire Allied invasion force. The British 6th Airborne Division had several critical objectives that would help ensure the success of Operation Overlord.
Their primary missions included:
- Capturing intact bridges over the Caen Canal and Orne River
- Destroying the Merville Battery that threatened Sword Beach
- Demolishing bridges over the River Dives to prevent German reinforcements
The Caen Canal and Orne River bridges were particularly vital. These bridges would allow Allied ground forces to advance eastward after landing. A small force led by Major John Howard captured these bridges in the famous Operation Deadstick, demonstrating the precision and courage necessary for airborne operations.
Securing the Flanks of the Normandy Landings
The 6th Airborne Division’s position on the eastern flank protected the vulnerable side of the Normandy landings, particularly Sword Beach. By controlling this area, they prevented German armored units from launching counterattacks against the landing forces.
The British paratroopers and glider infantry created a defensive perimeter that extended from the coast inland. This barrier effectively sealed off the eastern approach to the landing beaches. Despite being outnumbered, the airborne troops held their positions against German counterattacks.
The success of Operation Tonga came at a cost. Scattered drops meant many units fought in small groups rather than as organized battalions. Despite this challenge, they achieved most of their objectives and maintained control of key areas until relieved by ground forces advancing from Sword Beach.
The operation demonstrated the strategic value of airborne forces in creating confusion behind enemy lines and securing critical objectives ahead of the main invasion force.
Overview of the British 6th Airborne Division
The British 6th Airborne Division played a crucial role in the early hours of D-Day, tasked with securing the eastern flank of the Allied invasion. Formed in 1943, this elite airborne force was specifically trained for the challenges of dropping behind enemy lines to secure strategic objectives.
Formation and Training
The 6th Airborne Division was officially formed on April 23, 1943, under the command of Major-General Richard N. Gale. It consisted of three main brigades: the 3rd Parachute Brigade, the 5th Parachute Brigade, and the 6th Airlanding Brigade.
The division underwent intensive training in the British countryside, focusing on night operations, small unit tactics, and rapid deployment. Soldiers had to complete rigorous physical conditioning and master specialized skills like parachute jumping.
Training included realistic exercises that simulated battlefield conditions. Men learned to operate with minimal equipment and supplies, as they would need to function independently until linking up with ground forces.
Preparation for D-Day
By early 1944, the 6th Airborne Division began specialized training for their D-Day objectives. They practiced on mockups of actual bridges and other targets they would need to capture in Normandy.
The division’s mission for Operation Tonga (their codename for the D-Day airborne assault) was to secure the eastern flank of the invasion area. Specific objectives included capturing bridges over the Orne River and Caen Canal, destroying the Merville Battery, and demolishing bridges over the River Dives.
Intelligence gathering became critical during this phase. Aerial photographs, resistance reports, and reconnaissance missions helped plan the operation in detail.
By June 1944, the division stood ready with approximately 12,000 troops equipped with specialized weapons and equipment for their behind-enemy-lines mission.
Key Objectives of Operation Tonga
Operation Tonga was a critical airborne assault conducted by the British 6th Airborne Division on the night before D-Day. The operation had several specific targets designed to secure the eastern flank of the Allied invasion zone.
Capturing Pegasus Bridge and Horsa Bridge
The primary objective of Operation Tonga was seizing two vital bridges—Pegasus Bridge over the Caen Canal and Horsa Bridge over the Orne River near Ranville. These bridges were essential for controlling movement between the landing beaches and inland areas.
Major John Howard led D Company of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in this mission. Six gliders carried Howard’s men to their targets shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944. Their goal was to capture the bridges intact before German forces could destroy them.
The operation succeeded brilliantly. Howard’s men secured both bridges within minutes of landing, suffering minimal casualties. This achievement allowed Allied forces to move quickly from the beaches and prevented German reinforcements from reaching the coastal areas.
Neutralizing the Merville Gun Battery
Another crucial objective was silencing the Merville Gun Battery. This German coastal artillery position threatened the British Sword Beach landing zone with four large guns that could cause devastating casualties to approaching troops.
Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway led the 9th Parachute Battalion in this assault. The plan faced significant challenges when many paratroopers missed their drop zones and much of their heavy equipment was lost.
Despite these setbacks, Otway gathered about 150 men—far fewer than planned—and launched the attack. Through sheer determination, they captured the battery, though at heavy cost. The operation neutralized a major threat to the seaborne landings, saving countless Allied lives.
Establishing a Perimeter around Normandy
The 6th Airborne Division had the broader mission of establishing a defensive perimeter along the eastern flank of the invasion area. This involved controlling the area between the Orne and Dives rivers to protect against German counterattacks.
Paratroopers destroyed several bridges over the River Dives to prevent German reinforcements from reaching the beaches. This created what military planners called an “anti-tank screen” that significantly delayed German armored responses.
The division also seized key villages and crossroads, establishing defensive positions that protected the vulnerable eastern edge of the Allied beachhead. Despite scattered drops that dispersed units across the countryside, the paratroopers adapted quickly.
By daybreak, the airborne forces had secured most of their objectives, successfully isolating the battlefield and preventing German forces from mounting an effective counterattack against the landing beaches.
Airborne Operations and Pathfinders
Operation Tonga represented a critical airborne component of the D-Day landings, with British 6th Airborne Division troops deployed between June 5-7, 1944. This complex operation relied on careful planning and precise execution to secure key objectives east of the landing beaches.
Use of Pathfinders to Mark Drop Zones
Pathfinders played a crucial role in Operation Tonga by deploying approximately 30 minutes before the main airborne forces. These elite troops had the dangerous task of marking drop zones (DZs) using special Eureka beacons and lights to guide incoming aircraft.
The 22nd Independent Parachute Company served as pathfinders, landing in darkness around midnight on June 5-6. Despite difficult conditions, they established navigation aids across several drop zones including DZ-N, DZ-V, and DZ-K.
Weather and enemy activity complicated their mission. Some pathfinder teams landed off-target, creating navigation challenges for following waves. Despite these difficulties, most teams successfully marked their zones using patterns of lights visible to approaching aircraft.
Deployment of Paratroopers and Glider Troops
The main airborne assault involved both paratroopers and glider-borne infantry working in coordination. The first wave consisted of approximately 7,900 men from the British 6th Airborne Division deployed during the early hours of June 6.
Paratroopers from the 3rd and 5th Parachute Brigades jumped from Halifax and Stirling aircraft. Their objectives included securing bridges over the Orne River and Caen Canal, disabling the Merville Battery, and creating a defensive perimeter east of the landing beaches.
The Glider Pilot Regiment delivered reinforcements and heavy equipment in Horsa and Hamilcar gliders. The glider landings occurred in two waves – one shortly after midnight and another at dusk on D-Day.
Scattered landings created initial confusion, but the airborne troops successfully secured key objectives. The operation’s success hinged on the rapid seizure of bridges near Bénouville, later nicknamed “Pegasus Bridge,” which prevented German counterattacks.
Glider Assault Tactics
Operation Tonga utilized military gliders as a revolutionary method to deliver troops and equipment behind enemy lines during the D-Day invasion. These silent aircraft played a crucial role in securing strategic objectives before the main assault forces arrived on the beaches.
Airspeed Horsa and Other Gliders
The Airspeed Horsa served as the primary glider used by British forces during Operation Tonga. These wooden aircraft could carry up to 30 fully equipped troops or smaller vehicles and equipment. The Horsa’s large cargo capacity made it ideal for transporting anti-tank guns and jeeps directly into combat zones.
British forces also employed the larger Hamilcar glider, capable of delivering light tanks and other heavy equipment. These gliders were typically towed by powerful aircraft such as the Handley Page Halifax or Armstrong Whitworth bombers.
Gliders offered several tactical advantages: they flew silently after release from their tug aircraft, could land in small fields unsuitable for conventional aircraft, and delivered intact fighting units precisely where needed.
Glider Pilot Regiment’s Role
The Glider Pilot Regiment consisted of highly trained soldiers who not only flew these engineless aircraft but also fought alongside infantry after landing. Unlike conventional pilots, these men underwent complete infantry training in addition to flight instruction.
The regiment faced extraordinary challenges during Operation Tonga. Pilots navigated in darkness, often through enemy fire, to reach landing zones near critical objectives like the Pegasus Bridge. After touchdown, they immediately joined the assault forces.
The dangerous nature of glider operations was evident in the casualty rates. Many gliders overshot targets or crashed during landings. Despite these hazards, the regiment successfully delivered troops who quickly secured vital bridges and strategic positions, preventing German reinforcements from reaching the beach landing areas.
Events of June 6, 1944
Operation Tonga began shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944, marking the critical airborne component of the Allied D-Day invasion. British forces targeted strategic locations east of the landing beaches, with their primary mission being to secure vital bridges and protect the eastern flank of the invasion force.
Initial Airborne Landings
The operation commenced when Major Howard and his D Company landed in Horsa gliders near the Orne River at 00:16. This marked the first Allied touchdown on French soil during Operation Overlord. The British 6th Airborne Division, commanded by General Gale, deployed via both parachute drops and glider landings in the early morning darkness.
Many paratroopers were scattered across the Norman countryside due to navigation errors and adverse conditions. Despite this challenge, soldiers used cricket clickers as recognition signals to find one another in the darkness.
The division brought specialized equipment, including carrier pigeons for communication when radio silence was necessary. These birds provided a backup method to relay critical information back to command centers in England.
Actions at Key Bridges and Targets
Operation Tonga’s most famous achievement was the capture of Pegasus Bridge over the Caen Canal. Major Howard’s forces secured this strategic crossing within minutes of landing, preventing German reinforcements from reaching the beaches.
Another unit successfully captured the nearby Orne River bridge, ensuring Allied control of both critical crossings. These bridges were essential for linking the airborne forces with troops coming from Utah and Omaha beaches later in the day.
British paratroopers also neutralized the Merville Battery, a fortified German artillery position that threatened the upcoming beach landings. Although they faced heavy resistance and had fewer men than planned, they managed to disable the guns before they could fire on Allied ships.
Assistance from Local Resistance Fighters
French Resistance fighters provided crucial support to British airborne forces throughout June 6. These local patriots had received coded messages via BBC broadcasts indicating the invasion was imminent.
Resistance members guided lost paratroopers to their objectives and provided valuable intelligence about German positions and movements. This local knowledge proved invaluable as British forces consolidated their positions around key targets.
Some resistance fighters joined directly in combat operations, particularly in sabotaging communication lines and creating roadblocks to slow German reinforcements. Their actions created confusion among German units trying to respond to the airborne landings.
The coordination between Allied airborne forces and local resistance had been planned for months through covert operations. This partnership demonstrated the effectiveness of combining conventional military operations with guerrilla tactics against the occupying forces.
Outcomes of Operation Tonga
Operation Tonga achieved significant strategic objectives despite facing numerous challenges. The British 6th Airborne Division successfully secured several key positions that proved vital to the broader D-Day invasion plan, though not without cost.
Successes and Failures
The operation successfully captured key bridges over the Caen Canal and Orne River in the early hours of June 6, 1944. This “Coup De Main” operation prevented German reinforcements from reaching the landing beaches. The paratroopers also disabled the Merville Gun Battery, which could have devastated troops landing at Sword Beach.
However, not everything went according to plan. Many paratroopers were dropped far from their intended landing zones, causing confusion and delaying some objectives. Despite this setback, the scattered drops actually confused German commanders about the scope and location of the Allied attack.
British forces successfully held their positions east of the Orne River, creating a protective flank for the amphibious landings. Operation Mallard, which began at 21:00 on D-Day, significantly strengthened these positions.
Impact on the Liberation of Normandy
Operation Tonga created a crucial eastern defensive perimeter for the D-Day landings. By securing bridges and key terrain features, the 6th Airborne Division prevented German armored units from attacking the vulnerable flank of the landing beaches.
The operation effectively divided German attention and resources. While German troops confronted the airborne threat, they couldn’t concentrate fully on repelling beach landings.
The control of strategic crossings allowed Allied forces to move inland more easily once beachheads were established. This was particularly important for the British sector of the invasion area.
Unlike the American airborne operations further west, Operation Tonga occurred in a more concentrated area, creating a more cohesive defensive position that proved difficult for German counterattacks to dislodge.
Contribution to Allied Victory
The 6th Airborne Division’s performance in Operation Tonga demonstrated the effectiveness of airborne tactics when properly executed. Their success influenced future Allied airborne operations in Europe.
By helping secure the eastern flank of the invasion area, Operation Tonga contributed to the overall success of D-Day. This allowed the Allies to establish a foothold in Normandy that would eventually lead to the liberation of Western Europe.
The division continued to play an important role in the Normandy campaign after D-Day. They maintained defensive positions against determined German counterattacks, particularly from the 21st Panzer Division.
The casualties suffered during Operation Tonga—approximately 650 dead, wounded or missing—were considered acceptable given the strategic importance of the objectives achieved. The operation stands as a testament to the bravery and effectiveness of airborne forces in World War II.
Operation Tonga in Military History
Operation Tonga marks a significant airborne operation of World War II. The British 6th Airborne Division conducted this mission on June 5-7, 1944. This mission served as the eastern flank of the larger D-Day landings in Normandy.
The operation represented a bold application of airborne warfare strategy. British military planners designed Tonga as a surprise attack to secure critical objectives behind enemy lines before the main beach landings.
The 6th Airborne Division faced the challenging task of capturing bridges over the Orne River and Caen Canal, destroying the Merville Battery, and securing key terrain. These objectives were vital to protect the eastern flank of the invasion forces.
British paratroopers and glider infantry employed innovative tactics during the operation. They used carrier pigeons for communication and conducted night drops to maximize the element of surprise against German defenders.
The operation demonstrated the evolution of airborne warfare doctrine in World War II. Following earlier airborne experiences in Sicily and Italy, Operation Tonga showed how the British Army had refined its approach to vertical envelopment.
Military historians view Operation Tonga as a successful implementation of airborne strategy despite scattered drops and equipment losses. The operation secured its objectives and prevented German reinforcements from reaching the landing beaches.
The tactics and lessons from Operation Tonga influenced future airborne operations and military doctrine. The coordinated use of paratroopers and glider infantry became a model for subsequent military planning.
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Read About Other D-Day Operations:
Operation Albany: Airborne Mission Behind Enemy Lines
Operation Atlantic: The Allied Invasion of Normandy Explained
Operation Biting: The Bruneval Raid and Its Impact on Allied Intelligence
Operation Bluecoat: A Critical Allied Offensive in Normandy Campaign
Operation Bodyguard (D-Day Deception)
Operation Bolero: The Massive Allied Buildup That Enabled the Normandy Invasion
Operation Boston: The Strategic Allied Airborne Mission Behind Enemy Lines
Operation Charnwood: The Allied Offensive to Capture Caen
Operation Chattanooga Choo-Choo: Strategic Significance in Allied Invasion Plans
Operation Chicago: The Strategic Airborne Mission Behind Allied Victory
Operation Cobra: The Decisive Allied Breakout in Normandy
Operation Deadstick: The Crucial Glider Mission That Secured Pegasus Bridge
Operation Detroit: The Critical Allied Deployment Strategy in Normandy
Operation Dingson: The Strategic French Resistance Mission in Brittany
Operation Epsom: The Critical British Offensive in Normandy
Operation Fortitude: The Deception Plan That Secured Allied Victory
Operation Gaff: The Secret Mission to Eliminate Rommel
Operation Gambit: The Crucial Submarine Reconnaissance Mission Behind Allied Success
Operation Glimmer: The Deceptive Naval Mission That Fooled German Forces
Operation Goodwood: The Pivotal Allied Armored Offensive in Normandy
Operation Hammer: The Allied Assault That Changed Modern Warfare
Operation Husky: The Allied Invasion of Sicily That Changed the Mediterranean Campaign
Operation Jupiter: The Abandoned Allied Invasion Plan for Norway
Operation Lüttich: The Failed German Counteroffensive in Normandy
Operation Mallard: The Critical Airborne Mission Behind Allied Success
Operation Mulberry: The Artificial Harbors That Secured Allied Victory in Normandy
Operation Neptune (D-Day Assault)
Operation Paddle: The Forgotten Maritime Support Mission Behind the Normandy Landings
Operation Pluto: The Undersea Pipeline That Fueled Allied Victory
Operation Pointblank: The Strategic Air Campaign That Paved the Way for Normandy Invasion
Operation Samwest: The French SAS Mission Behind Enemy Lines
Operation Spring: Allied Offensive on the Normandy Beachhead
Operation Taxable: The Brilliant Deception Strategy That Fooled Nazi Forces
Operation Tiger: The Forgotten Rehearsal that Shaped Allied Victory
Operation Titanic: The Secret Allied Deception Plan That Fooled German Forces
Operation Tonga: The British Airborne Mission That Secured the Eastern Flank
Operation Totalize: The Allied Offensive to Break German Defenses in Normandy
Operation Tractable: The Allied Assault to Close the Falaise Gap
What Was Operation Overlord
