The Germans planted over four million mines along the French coast to hinder the Allied landings in 1944.

To break through these defences, the British produced a number of novel armoured fighting vehicles under the ingenious direction of Major General Percy Hobart, among them the Sherman Crab. The Crab bore a rotating drum with dozens of chains attached; these detonated mines in the tank’s path to produce a beaten passage through the thickest of minefields.

The WDs were trained in this vital task, as part of 79th (Experimental) Armoured Division, led by Hobart. They were the first unit ashore on D-Day at Gold Beach in the British sector (see the landing plan, right, on which the WDs are indicated by “Sqn W Dgns”, one squadron in the first assault on each half of Gold Beach), clearing paths off the beaches and using their tank guns to destroy defences holding up the assault. For more detail on the WDs’ pivotal role on D-Day, click here.

They went on to fight across northwest Europe and into Germany during 1944 and 1945, achieving a number of battle honours and assisting in the liberation of the Belsen concentration camp.