INVASION PRACTICE

Grey River Argus, 28 April 1944, Page 5

INVASION PRACTICE

RUGBY, April 25. The Kin? paid another visit on Tuesday to second front troops in England awaiting the signal for the invasion of Europe. He spent the whole day inspecting Canadian units, including many famous regiments. His Majesty lunched at Canadian Headquarters, .where Mr Vincent Massey, Canadian High Commissioner was present. Masses of trooos and aircraft have taken part in vast invasion exercises somewhere in England. Ihe manoeuvres were watched by the Deputy c .unreme Commander of the Invasion Forces (Ah’ Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder) and other high ranking British officers. The exercises were on a scale never before seen in England. Large transport aircraft, each carrying 20 men, dropped thousands of parachute troops, together with large masses of equipment. Within a few minutes of landing the troops were fully equipped and advancing to the attack. The aircraft stretched in a great arc, and the air was filled .with thousands of parachutes. Other transport aircraft landed, disgorged their men and equipment and within a few minutes they were clear of the airfields only the marks of their landing wheels showing that aircraft had landed. Within a few minutes the equipment had been distributed and the troops moved off. Correspondents say that the manoeuvre was brilliantly carried out without one mishap.