The first "coup de main" glider-borne platoon left RAF Tarrant Rushton, Dorset, at 22.56hrs on 5 June 1944 on a moonlit night, initially flying 70 miles eastwards and crossing the English coast over Worthing, Sussex. Brotheridge's platoon's glider piloted by Staff Sergeant Jim Wallwork fell from approximately 6000 feet and then glided more slowly earthwards, landing in Normandy at 00.16hrs on 6 June. The glider had landed less than 50 feet from the water tower of the Benouville Bridge, and Brotheridge led the first charge across the bridge, now known as Pegasus Bridge.