Normandy 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion

on 6 june 1944, 7th parachute battalion landed in normandy. many men of battalion scattered or landed on wrong drop zone. badly scattered that, 03:00, lieutenant colonel pine-coffin in command had around forty percent of battalion @ forming point, although men continued appear throughout day. relatively few of supply containers had been found, meaning possessed few heavy weapons or radio sets. however, battalion managed rendezvous coup-de-main forces of 2nd battalion, ox , bucks light infantry @ caen , orne bridges. set defensive perimeter against german counter-attacks. first german assault on bridges came between 05:00 , 07:00 , consisted of isolated , uncoordinated attacks tanks, armoured cars , infantry, grew in intensity throughout day. luftwaffe attempted destroy caen bridge 1,000 lb (450 kg) bomb, failed detonate, , 2 german navy coastal craft, attempted attack bridge, repelled. despite ferocity of attacks, battalion , coup-de-main forces able hold bridges until 19:00, when leading elements of 3rd british infantry division arrived , began relieve battalion. midnight, battalion being held in reserve behind 12th parachute battalion occupying le bas de ranville , 13th parachute battalion holding ranville.

men of 7th battalion, parachute regiment, under lieutenant s dunsford, on patrol in kramat quarter of batavia (jakarta), december 1945.