 The original plan was for Lieutenant David Wood to lead the first platoon across the Caen canal bridge, however shortly before D-Day Howard changed the order of landing and Brotheridge was selected to lead the first platoon across the bridge at Benouville.The first "coup de main" glider-borne platoon left RAF Tarrant Rushton, Dorset, at 22.56hrs on 5 June 1944 on a moonlit night, initially flying 70 miles eastwards and crossing the English coast over Worthing, Sussex.Brotheridge's platoon's glider piloted by Staff Sergeant Jim Wallwork fell from approximately 6000 feet and then glided more slowly earthwards, landing in Normandy at 00.16hrs on 6 June.