The radar station is the site of a visitor centre and theatre. [125] Although the operation failed to take Caen, the Germans suffered heavy tank losses and had committed every available Panzer unit to the operation. The DD tank and Royal Marine Centaur tanks that were supposed to arrive in advance of the landing were delayed by rough seas and did not arrive until 08:00. The beach was wide enough for two brigades to be landed side-by-side, so the 231st Brigade was assigned to Le Hamel in Jig sector and the 69th Brigade to La Rivière in King sector. Gold, the central of the five areas, was located between Port-en-Bessin on the west and La Rivière on the east. [64], H-Hour for the landing at Gold was set at 07:25 on King sector (50 minutes later than in the American landings, because of differences in the tide). [65] The first wave on King was the 5th East Yorkshires and 6th Green Howards of 69th Brigade, assisted by amphibious DD tanks of the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. [98] One battalion was ordered to reinforce the German efforts at Omaha. British casualties at Gold are estimated at 1,000–1,100. [106] Bayeux, a primary D-Day objective for 50th Division, was captured on 7 June. [76], Scheduled to land at 11:00 on Jig, the 56th Infantry Brigade was re-routed King, because the gun battery at Le Hamel was still operational. Both the observation post and the guns were heavily protected with one-metre-thick concrete. [105], Pockets of German resistance remained throughout the beachhead area and the British were stopped about 3.7 miles (6.0 km) short of their D-Day objectives. [91] The 1st Dorsets attacked a German position on the beach at La Cabane des Douanes and headed inland to arc westward toward the high ground south of Arromanches. [21] Briefings were undertaken using detailed maps that used fictitious place names, and most of the men did not find out their destination until they were already on their way to Normandy. Meyer was killed, and his detailed maps of German coastal emplacements fell into British hands. [27][28] Amphibious tanks of the 8th Armoured Brigade were to arrive at 07:20, followed by infantry at 07:25. Number 47 Royal Marine Commando, attached to the 50th Division for the landing, was assigned to Item sector. The exchanges of shots are violent and many soldiers collapse on the sand, shot down by bullets or shrapnel. [45] About 2,000 men, a mixture from the two infantry divisions, were stationed in the coastal area between Arromanches and Asnelles. Still further west, D Company captured strong point WN-39 at the Arromanches radar station, capturing 30 more defenders. [66][67] The 7th Green Howards landed at 08:20. [102][109] The follow-up landings were slowed by the loss of 34 LCTs and the bad weather. [38] At Gold, naval bombardment by Bombarding Force K got underway at 05:30, at which time the first waves of infantry were loading into their Landing Craft Assault (LCAs) for the run in to the beach. [103] The unit responsible was likely II./Kampfgeschwader 40 (KG 40—Bomber Wing 40). [113][114] The 49th Division came ashore on 12 June. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Fired upon by Allied air forces, the column finally arrived in the late afternoon, at which time they were met by elements of the 69th Brigade. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Phillips, opted to attack from the south, as the site was well protected on the seaward side.