Countess Wear Bridges are two bridges in Exeter, Devon that cross the River Exe and the Exeter Ship Canal. They have a D-Day connection because they were used for military training by British paratroops prior to the Normandy landings in 1944. The bridges were chosen because they resembled two bridges in France that were part of the Operation Deadstick, a daring mission to capture and hold the crossings over the Caen Canal and River Orne. The training involved rehearsing different scenarios and tactics in case the plan went wrong on D-Day.

Exe Ventura

October 20, 2022

Cycling

Memorial plaque at the bridge reads

"In May 1944, these bridges played an important part in the preparations for D-Day. They were used over a period of three days and nights, for rehearsals of the famous and crucial glider borne attack on the bridge over the Canal de Caen (Pegasus Bridge) and the River Orne (Horsa Bridge), by the Second Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, on the night 5/6 June 1944."

foxy44

April 23, 2021

Cycling

Very busy main road but well provided with cycle paths so no need use the road.

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2. Exeter Quayside – Exeter Ship Canal loop from Exeter St Thomas

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3. Exeter Ship Canal – Turf Hotel loop from Newcourt

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Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 60 m

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Monday 16 March

11°C

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Take Me There

Location: Exminster, Teignbridge, Devon, South West England, England, United Kingdom

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Countess Wear Bridges

1. Turf Hotel – Exeter Ship Canal loop from Dawlish

2. Exeter Quayside – Exeter Ship Canal loop from Exeter St Thomas

3. Exeter Ship Canal – Turf Hotel loop from Newcourt

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