My name is Alasdair McKay, I live in Biggin Hill in Kent, England. I am 18 years old and go to Sevenoaks School. I am currently studying for my International Baccalaureate diploma. As part of the IB scheme every student has to complete a 4000 word Extended Essay on an academic topic of their choice. I am studying, amongst other subjects, History and French and decided to combine these two disciplines in order to write my essay.
I have visited Normandy many times and know the area very well, in addition my father served in the British Airborne Forces for many years. It is these two facts which inspired me to write my extended essay on the Coup de Main assault on the Orne Bridges on D-Day.
Photo showing:
The Author aged 4 (small boy at front)
Author's father (first on left)
Major Howard (centre)
Georgette Gondree (2nd on right)
Other D-Day veterans
I wrote this essay in the summer of 1998 and would be fascinated if you had any comments about it. Please feel free to use the guest book provided and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible. I would be particularly interested to hear from any veterans of the War or French residents of the area. Thank you and enjoy the site.
Alasdair McKay
