NAMING OF THE BRIDGE NEAR DEAUVILLE

In August 1944 the 52nd, in 6th Airborne Division, advanced from the Caen area to the River Seine. Its axis of advance took it through the southern outskirts of Deauville crossing the River Touques just south of Deauville.

in 1994 the four Communes of Vauville, Tourgeville, St. Arnoult and Touques, through which the battalion passed 50 years previously, celebrated their liberation and asked 50 members of the Battalion, with wives and relations, to be their guests from 23rd to 25th of August 1994.

The River Touques flows between St. Arnoult and Touques. Here an impressive ceremony took place, in the presence of the Mayors and with General Pascoe representing the Regiment. After speeches, the national flags of France and Britain were raised and the bridge across the river and its approach road were named after the Regiment. The 52nd Veterans then formed up and. led by Colonels' Sweeney and Tillett, accompanied by Major John Howard, who with Letter D Company had led the crossing in 1944, 'marched' over the Bridge following a local band. The bridge bears two fine plaques in French and English recording the assault over the river by the 52nd on the 24 August, 1944.