Alderney-issue stamps to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings on 6 June, 1944, a long and costly campaign to liberate north-west Europe from German occupation, are to be released by Guernsey Post (issue date: 29 May).
Among the British military forces taking part in the D-Day Landings were individuals from Alderney, including William John (‘Kelly’) Barker, Private Charles Edmund Benfield and Signaller George Paltridge.
62p – Pegasus Bridge. The order, signed by General Gale commanding the 6th Airborne Division, was to “capture intact the two bridges of the Orne and the canal of Caen - Bénouville and Ranville.” Bénouville Bridge’s codename was Pegasus Bridge, after the 6th Division’s nickname, Pegasus.
63p – Invasion begins. More than 5,000 ships and landing craft carrying troops and supplies left England for the trip across the Channel to France. Meanwhile, over 11,000 aircraft were mobilised to provide air cover and support for the invasion.
76p – 6 Commandos at Sword Beach. The British 8th Brigade and Commandos of the 1st Special Service Brigade landed on Sword Beach. This included former Alderney resident, George Paltridge, a member of 4 Commando unit, who survived the landings.
85p – Battle of Villers-Bocage. This battle took place on 13 June 1944, one week after the Normandy Landings by the Western Allies. It was the result of an attempt by the British to improve their position by exploiting a gap in the German defences west of the city of Caen.
94p – Typhoon attack on Tiger tanks. Armed with rockets and 20mm cannons, the Hawker Typhoon was initially developed as a high-altitude interceptor but was eventually employed as a fighter-bomber. The Tactical Air Force targeted Tiger tanks, arguably the most famous German tank of World War II.
Bridget Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: - “We are proud to issue this wonderfully illustrated set of stamps; Brian Byron, the artist, has done a fabulous job. I am also extremely grateful for the assistance of Alderney Museum in obtaining the details of the local individuals who took part in this harrowing campaign whom we reference in the issue information.’