Lieutenant Herbert Charles Pond
Unit : No.2 Platoon, "A" Company, 9th Parachute Battalion
Service No. : 255225
Awards : Military Cross
This officer was in charge of an assault glider during the attack on the Sallenelles Battery. When he realised that it was impossible to land in the correct place, he ordered the pilot to crash land in a nearby wood. He then successfully attacked a party of the enemy who were threatening the rear of the Battalion thereby ensuring that the Battery attack was successful. During subsequent operations Lieutenant Pond commanded a company with great vigour and skill, inspiring his men by his energy and disregard of personal danger.
Hugh Pond was wounded at 21:00 on the 12th June 1944, by the same shell which wounded Lieutenant-Colonel Otway and killed Lieutenant Christie. Although physically unhurt by the explosion itself, he was suffering from concussion and a severe, paralysing pain in his right side. It transpired that he had broken ribs, believed to have been suffered during the glider landing. He passed away on the 19th December 2014.