Ranville Cemetery: The First Casualties of D-Day

Описание: Lieutenant Herbert Denham "Den" Brotheridge is widely considered to be the first Allied soldier to be killed in action on D-Day, 6 June 1944. In the early hours of the invasion, Brotheridge led the first charge across what is today known as Pegasus Bridge--the bridge over the Caen Canal.

The bridge was captured intact by troops of the British 6th Airborne Division, who were landed nearby by parachute and glider.

Brotheridge's leadership was crucial in the operation, as he managed to silence the left German machine-gun post at the western bank of the Caen Canal. But then, he and his platoon then came under attack by machine gun fire from the far side of the canal. Brotheridge was hit in the back of the neck by the machine gun fire and died of wounds without regaining consciousness.

Den Brotheridge is buried in the War Cemetery in Ranville Churchyard,

Ranville was the first village to be liberated in France. Located near Caen, Ranville War Cemetery contains 2,236 Commonwealth burials of World War II-- 90 of them are unidentified. There are also 323 German graves and a few burials of other nationalities.

The Churchyard, where Brotheridge is buried, contains 47 Commonwealth burials, one of which is unidentified, and one German grave.