When it sailed for Normandy in June 1944, the 43rd Wessex Division was held generally to have been the most highly trained infantry Division ever to have left British shores. This was due not only to the thorough and hard training it had undergone under its Commander, Major General Ivor Thomas, which had welded all arms into a highly effective team, but also to the determination of all ranks to live up to the standards set. Esprit de corps was at its highest as foot was set on French soil and never wavered. The Division's baptism of fire in Normandy was severe and many casualties were suffered as, first Hill 112 and then Mont Pincon were captured - both feathers in the Division's cap. Though costly in lives, the assault crossing of the River Seine was a remarkable achievement which, like the Division's subsequent successes from Nijmegen to Bremen, are well summarised in this short history. During the campaign the Division fought in every major operation mounted by the British 2nd Army. That (unlike some others) it was not broken up to provide reinforcements elsewhere was due in no small measure to its outstanding fighting reputation. Gallantry of a high order was displayed by all ranks but the price paid was heavy -over 1500 gave their lives and more than 10,000 were wounded or listed missing. This website will serve to commemorate the achievements and spirit of our gallant comrades of those epic days.

Brigadier F R Henn CBE September 2003