The Graves of Parachutists from the 6th Airborne Divn
They were dropped behind enemy lines and failed to rendezvous. The photo states "At Douville".
This photo taken by, and from the collection of, L/Cpl.'Ken' Emmerson No.1 SS Bde HQ (formerly Nos 2 and 12 Cdos.)is courtesy of his son John Emmerson. Posted by Pete R.
Update by Pete R. Initially these graves were unidentifed, but we have now been provided with the following information from Ludovic, a French researcher who lives in Calvados :
"On the picture you see only 7 helmets but look left of the first one (on the left). You can see a small post locating a grave. the 9th small post is probably hidden one of the 2 big posts.
The picture is the temporary grave of 9 casualties who were killed on 7th June 1944 (in the afternoon) at Douville En Auge (near Grangues).
The position of the temporary grave was : map 7F2 coordinates:276776
The casualties were:
B/135587 Private James George BROADFOOT 1st Canadian Para Bn. (Ranville War Cemetery IIA M 05)
B/75489 Private Gordon Charles CONNAGHAN 1st Canadian Para Bn. (Ranville War Cemetery IIA N 03)
L/74035 Private Orlando Morris ELLEFSON 1st Canadian Para Bn. (Ranville War Cemetery IIA O 05)
B/79949 Private Kenneth Mervyn PLEDGER 1st Canadian Para Bn. (Ranville War Cemetery IIA L 03)
UNKNOWN Private (Ranville War Cemetery IIA K 5)
UNKNOWN Private AAC (Ranville War Cemetery IIA M 03)
UNKNOWN Private RAMC (Ranville War Cemetery IIA N 05)
UNKNOWN Lance Corporal (Ranville War Cemetery IIA O 03)
2329499 Corporal James MOORE 6th Airborne Divisional Signals (Ranville War Cemetery IIIA B08)
The 4 Canadians were part of Lt Rousseau stick which jumped in Gonneville Sur Mer. Lt Rousseau had a special duty: to meet the mayor of Dozulé head of the local resistance"
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