Thread by @SeaSpitfires, People seem to like this aerial photo, so here's a little bit [...]

People seem to like this aerial photo, so here's a little bit more to follow it. Not long after, more photos were taken on the beach itself showing the immediate aftermath. It's worth familiarising yourself with the original thread if you haven't already done so. https://twitter.com/SeaSpitfires/status/1359178462448279560

https://twitter.com/SeaSpitfires/status/1359178462448279560

Sergeant Normand Midgley, Army Film and Photographic Unit, landed early on Gold on D-Day. I'm not sure which unit he travelled with, but he photographed the Green Howards embarking in Southampton, so he may have crossed with them and wandered onto Jig from King Beach.

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Sergeant Normand Midgley, Army Film and Photographic Unit, landed early on Gold on D-Day. I'm not sure which unit he travelled with, but he photographed the Green Howards embarking in Southampton, so he may have crossed with them and wandered onto Jig from King Beach. IWM B7947

His first photo shows chaos on Jig Beach. On the right is LCT 858, 33 LCT Flotilla, possibly one of those in the aerial photo, having broken through the obstacles and finishing disembarkation. On the left is a DD, possibly one from the LCT Mk III we saw earlier.

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His first photo shows chaos on Jig Beach. On the right is LCT 858, 33 LCT Flotilla, possibly one of those in the aerial photo, having broken through the obstacles and finishing disembarkation. On the left is a DD, possibly one from the LCT Mk III we saw earlier. IWM B5243

Moments later Midgley snapped this. LCTs 928 & 710 are 53 LCT Flotilla, carrying A Squadron of the Sherwood Rangers. They arrived at 0900, although this is possibly a little later than that – not all the flotilla's LCTs could beach perfectly on time.

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Moments later Midgley snapped this. LCTs 928 & 710 are 53 LCT Flotilla, carrying A Squadron of the Sherwood Rangers. They arrived at 0900, although this is possibly a little later than that – not all the flotilla's LCTs could beach perfectly on time.IWM 5244

The carrier in the previous photo is nearly on the beach with another one behind it. They seem to have both come off LCT 858, which fits with the load for that vessel.

710 has only just got her ramp down – we can see that the Mulock extensions haven't sunk into the water yet. Notice how her pennant has been reapplied on the bow as well. Meanwhile, an LCM is getting crushed against 858. This heralds a new arrival on the beach.

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710 has only just got her ramp down – we can see that the Mulock extensions haven't sunk into the water yet. Notice how her pennant has been reapplied on the bow as well. Meanwhile, an LCM is getting crushed against 858. This heralds a new arrival on the beach.IWM 5244

It's 47 RM Commando, who apparently arrived at 0930. Their landing was chaotic and much equipment was lost, thanks in no small part to the chaos on the beach and the cramped space for the landing craft. Notice the background LCA...

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It's 47 RM Commando, who apparently arrived at 0930. Their landing was chaotic and much equipment was lost, thanks in no small part to the chaos on the beach and the cramped space for the landing craft. Notice the background LCA...IWM B5245

Which appears here. Behind it 858 is still unloading – she's very late now. A D7 Bulldozer of 51 Mech Equipment Section towing a John Trailer is just getting to the top of the beach. Another one is on the ramp. You can see the landing table index number on its blade.

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Which appears here. Behind it 858 is still unloading – she's very late now. A D7 Bulldozer of 51 Mech Equipment Section towing a John Trailer is just getting to the top of the beach. Another one is on the ramp. You can see the landing table index number on its blade. IWM B5246

Midgley walks a little east now, and ends up next to the craters we saw in the aerial photo. Here, LCT 1076, 53 LCT Flotilla, is just starting to disembark. Sherwood Rangers' Sherman 'Aberdeen' is just coming off the ramp. She won't get very far.

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Midgley walks a little east now, and ends up next to the craters we saw in the aerial photo. Here, LCT 1076, 53 LCT Flotilla, is just starting to disembark. Sherwood Rangers' Sherman 'Aberdeen' is just coming off the ramp. She won't get very far. IWM B5258

The skipper is not to be congratulated on beaching so close to the crater, which forced Aberdeen to negotiate its lip where it bogged down. This photo must have been taken a short while later as a bulldozer has been whistled up to help create a route off the LCT.

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The skipper is not to be congratulated on beaching so close to the crater, which forced Aberdeen to negotiate its lip where it bogged down. This photo must have been taken a short while later as a bulldozer has been whistled up to help create a route off the LCT. IWM B5259

Recognise the bulldozer? It's the one we saw on the ramp of LCT 858 not long ago, with its LTIN on the blade. Meanwhile the tank and LCT crews patiently wait. Actually it's probably not very patiently at all...

Sadly Midgley wanders away at this point. PoWs make for good propaganda photos!

Hope this was an enjoyable follow up to the aerial photo.

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