Horsa Bridge, Military bridge in Ranville, France
Horsa Bridge crosses the Orne River with a steel structure that was originally built as a rotating bridge in 1870. The current structure links the eastern riverbank to the village of Ranville and still displays parts of the original steel framework.
British airborne troops captured this strategic crossing on June 6, 1944 during Operation Tonga, cutting off German tanks from the landing zones. The action helped secure the invasion by preventing the defenders from receiving quick reinforcements.
The bridge takes its name from the Horsa glider used during the invasion, and visitors can see a memorial plaque from 1989 honoring the pilots who landed here. This place shows how deeply local history is tied to the soldiers who arrived at this crossing.
The crossing is easy to reach on foot and sits about 400 meters east of Pegasus Bridge, another nearby war site. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, as the area has hilly terrain and country paths that are best explored by walking.
The original steel structure from 1870 came from the workshops of Gustave Eiffel and shows the engineering quality of that era. Today, attentive visitors can spot the fine details of the steel trusses and rivets that define the construction.
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