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WHY “FORCES MARCH” FROM ILFRACOMBE TO BULFORD ?
During 2009 we marked the 65th anniversary of D-Day, which took place on 6th June in 1944.
Project 65 was so called to mark that momentous event and, in particular, the daring operation to capture Pegasus and Horsa bridges, the first two objectives in Normandy to be seized by British troops on D-Day.
That operation was carried out swiftly and successfully by men of The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, known at the time as “the 52nd”. In the summer of 1942, as part of their training for the invasion, the 52nd left its base in Bulford and went to the north Devon coast to carry out live firing, obstacle course work and general fitness training.
At the end of the three week period in Devon the 52nd marched back from Ilfracombe to their barracks in Bulford, a total of 129 miles.
They did this over 5 days in a very warm August, wearing full equipment over their heavy serge battledress.
Those taking part in “Forces March 2011” will cover much the same route as the 52nd did in 1942. |
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©Project65 |
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