On the night of 9th July 1943, British airborne troops launched Operation Ladbroke, a daring glider assault to seize the Ponte Grande and railway bridges in Sicily. A and C Companies of the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment led the coup-de-main raid, transported in Airspeed Horsa gliders to improve landing precision. Despite meticulous planning, the operation quickly descended into chaos.

Gliders crashed into the sea, troops were scattered across enemy territory, and the airborne force—vastly outnumbered—faced overwhelming Italian counterattacks. Yet, with sheer determination, they captured the Ponte Grande bridge, severed enemy communications, and held their ground against relentless assaults. Outgunned and low on ammunition, they fought until the last bullet before being overrun—only to retake the bridge later that day.

Through firsthand accounts and detailed historical research, Special Forces in World War II brings to life the incredible bravery, resilience, and sacrifice of the men who paved the way for the Allied invasion of Sicily.

🔹 #WWII #SpecialForces #MilitaryHistory #WW2Podcast #OperationLadbroke #AirborneForces #GliderTroops #EliteForces #Sicily1943 #WarStories

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On the night of 9th July 1943, the Special Raiding Squadron embarked on their first Sicilian mission in World War II. Departing from Egypt and training in Palestine, they prepared for a critical role in the Allied invasion of Sicily. Their objective: to strike deep behind enemy lines and eliminate the heavily fortified Lamba Doria gun battery.

This podcast follows their journey—from the grueling forced marches across Palestine to the chaos of the night landing and brutal close-quarters combat that followed. Experience the tension of pre-battle preparations, the adrenaline of the assault, and the strategic impact of their mission.

Through firsthand accounts and detailed historical research, Special Forces in World War II brings to life the men who risked everything to change the course of history.

#WWII #SpecialForces #MilitaryHistory #WW2Podcast #HistoricalWarfare #EliteForces #SpecialRaidingSquadron #Commandos #WWIIOperations #WarStories

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In the thrilling conclusion of our series on the Coup de Main, we take you to the night of June 6, 1944. Join us as we follow Staff Sergeant Jim Wallwork, Major John Howard, and the men of the 2nd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in their daring glider assault on the Pegasus and Horsa bridges. Experience the tension, bravery, and chaos as these soldiers fight to secure these vital crossings against formidable German defenses. From the precise crash landings to the intense firefights, witness the extraordinary courage and determination that ensured the success of this pivotal mission in the Normandy invasion.

Don't miss this action-packed episode as we bring history to life!

#WWII #HistoryPodcast #PegasusBridge #DDay #CoupDeMain #SpecialForces #MilitaryHistory #OxAndBucks #NormandyInvasion #MajorJohnHoward #PodcastSeries #HistoricalEvents #WarStories #HeroicMissions

Listen now on Spotify and relive the incredible story of the Coup de Main and the heroes who made history.

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