D-Day 1944: Sword Beach and British Airborne Landings Pt.3

On the eastern flank of the Allied landings in Normandy was Sword Beach, which was the responsibility of the British 3rd Division. Their objectives for D-Day were to join up with the Canadians landing on Juno and capture the town of Caen. In addition, they were to link up with the British airborne forces who were to secure the eastern flank of the beachhead. The leading waves landed at 7.30am and managed to get off the beach without heavy German resistance. This book looks at how the severe congestion on Sword Beach allowed the defending German forces, particularly the 21st Panzer Division, valuable time to react, preventing Caen from being taken on the first day, where much blood was shed before it finally fell.