82 years ago today, D-Day took place

Published on June 5, 2026

82 years ago today, D-Day took place. This historical battle saw one of our antecedent regiments, the 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, carry out the very first action that took place several hours ahead of the main landings, at 0015 hours.  
 
Codenamed OPERATION DEADSTICK, the Ox and Bucks successfully landed five assault gliders within 50 yards of Pegasus Bridge with the complete element of surprise. 
 
Led by Major John Howard, D Company, reinforced with two platoons from B Company, quickly overran the German defenders in under 10 minutes. This action allowed the landings to have a secure bridge over the Caen Canal and River Orne, which helped the Allied Forces to win the Battle of Normandy.  

This 1986 audio recording of the Officer Commanding, Major John Howard tells his story of the glider assault at Pegasus Bridge.  

Other news

2 Rifles have been awarded Operational Service Medals for their deployment on Operation SHADER 21

May 27, 2026
The tour saw them conduct escort patrols across Northern Iraq to base defence duties, during what became one of the most intense periods faced by British forces in the region in recent years. Individuals received Wider Service and General Service Medals for other deployments such as Operation CABRIT to Estonia.   In total around 150 soldiers from B and C Company, both based in Lisburn, received th