D-Day: Gold Beach

On 6 June 1944, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division spearheaded the British landing at Gold Beach, near the coastal resort of Arromanches. Despite poor weather conditions, the assault troops overcame determined opposition to establish a beachhead and win the only Victoria Cross awarded on D-Day. By the next day Gold Beach was in full use as a reception and dispersal site, with all four brigades of 50th Division and numerous supporting units ashore and driving inland. Starting with an analysis of the two sides and their plans, Simon Trew describes the battle for Gold Beach and how British attempts to exploit their initial success were frustrated by bitter German resistance. Four detailed battlefield tours follow, covering some of the most dramatic actions fought by the 50th Division and its attached units during the opening stages of one of the most important battles in history.