Description
The signed first edition of Pegasus Bridge: June 6, 1944 by Stephen E. Ambrose.
Octavo, 197pp, [3]. Blue hardcover, blue cloth spine. The first printing, with a full number line on the copyright page. Library stamp on the verso of title page, otherwise a clean copy. Solid text block. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, $14.95 on the front flap, faint shelf wear, a bright, near fine example.
Signed on the title page by the author.
The Battle of Pegasus Bridge occurred shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944, part of the opening phase of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Major John Howard and his men of D Company, 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, along with Royal Engineers and supporting troops of the British 6th Airborne Division, landed in Horsa gliders just yards from their objective – a vital bridge over the Caen Canal near Bénouville. Their mission was to seize and hold the bridge to prevent German counterattacks from reaching the eastern flank of the invasion beaches. The bridge was captured within minutes and held through fierce German counterattacks until relieved by forces advancing from Sword Beach.
