News
HRH unveils a replica Horsa Glider as part of the D-Day commemorations
4th June 2004
A replica of one of the giant gliders used in the daring raid on Pegasus Bridge 60 years ago was unveiled by The Prince of Wales as part of the D-Day commemorations.
At the site of the famous airborne attack - one of the crucial first opening assaults of D-Day – The Prince stepped inside the cockpit and talked to veteran pilot Jim Wallwork, who flew the first glider to land in Normandy at 00.16, June 6, 1944.
Then The Prince moved on to meet and hear the memories of the 13 other surviving veterans of Pegasus Bridge - named after the winged horse insignia of the British 6th Airborne Division - who had travelled to Normandy for the 60th anniversary.
Hundreds of people, including veterans' families, local residents and other tourists, crowded around the replica Horsa glider to catch a view of The Prince as the sun broke through the clouds above Normandy.
Under the command of Major John Howard on D-Day, a force of 180 landed in the flimsy gliders.
The men, from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry secured the Allies their first D-Day success with the courageous capture of the two bridges over the Caen Canal and the River Orne.
Some of them have not been back since and today proved an emotional time for many former soldiers.
Peter Bright, 81, from Gerards Cross, Buckinghamshire, said this is the first, and probably last, time he would be back.
But his return reunited him with friend, Dougie Allen, who he has not seen for 60 years.
When they met up again last night, “We cuddled one another”, Mr Bright said.
“We were all so close together that we would have died for one another - we were brothers,” he said.
It was “very emotive” to be back at the site where their glider - number five to land that night - came down.
Mr Bright added: “There were a few tears last night.”
Jim Wallwork, pilot of the first glider to land next to Pegasus Bridge, sat inside the Horsa replica at the Normandy commemorations today and surveyed its interior.
He said: “I have good memories of this aircraft. It was the best glider of all.
“You could get it out of the sky quickly in daylight, that‘s the important thing.”
Describing his historic landing, he said: “I landed at 0016. The nose collapsed of course because I ran into the embankment.
“I got a bit enthusiastic. “I was a bit damaged, but my co-pilot was more damaged.
“It really wasn't very difficult - any member of the regiment could have done it given the training that we had.”
Inside the aircraft with its small cockpit and light-green fuselage, Mr Wallwork said: “It's a perfect likeness. I could take this off tomorrow.”
As The Prince of Wales approached the glider Mr Wallwork, dressed in blue blazer and burgundy beret, stood to greet him.
The Prince said to Mr Wallwork: “I think it's wonderful that you're here and you look marvellous.”
The pair then proceeded to the cockpit, with Mr Wallwork taking up his position on the right-hand seat and The Prince settling into the one on the left.
As he sat down, Mr Wallwork instinctively grabbed the controls as he would have done 60 years ago.
The Prince said: “You made it seem unbelievably easy.” The former pilot replied: “It was. It was.”
Mr Wallwork praised the accuracy of the replica glider: “It's exactly as it was. It's a wonderful job.”
Pointing to the cockpit he said: “Those were the best seats in the house.”