View from the cockpit of the lead glider of three approaching the important road bridge over the parallel waterways of the Orne River and Caen Canal. The special effects work in this scene was remarkable considering the state of SFX technology in 1961, from the initial whisper-quiet approach to the splintering crash landing.

Major John Howard (portrayed by Richard Todd) leads his men through the barbed wire defenses in front of the bridge, rallying them with cries of "Up the Ox and Bucks" (the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry battle cry). Achieving complete surprise, Howard's unit captured the bridge in less than 15 minutes.