STOP 9 - 9th PARACHUTE BATTALION MEMORIAL

Lieutenant Colonel T.B.H.Otway led his men away from the Merville Battery towards Le Plein and took over the ground around Chateau d'Amfeiville. They then moved to the high ground south of Chateau St Côme. Joined here by the Black Watch, tanks from 13/18 Hussars and elements of 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, Otway and his men held on here for the next few days, despite being heavily attacked by the Germans. Gradually men from his unit, isolated in the drops, returned to him, so his strength fluctuated over the period he was here; by 10th June he was up to 170 men, for example, inlcuding his mortars and other Vickers machine-guns. Otway was concussed by a shell, in a sunken lane near the chateau, but remained in command until they were relieved by 2nd Oxs & Bucks Airborne on 13th June.

Continue on the D37b to the Le Mesnil crossroads. Here turn right and on the outskirts of Le Mesnil turn right on the D224 back to Ranville. Go straight into the village and follow the green CWGC signs for Ranville War Cemetery - Stop 10.

©PAUL REED 2002-2006