Former members of 6 Airborne Division commemorate the loss of comrades on Neustadt bridge, March 1986

Former members of 6th Airborne Division gather on the Lion bridge at Neustadt during a commemorative tour in March 1986.

Leading elements of 7th Parachute Battalion were crossing this bridge to secure it on the night of 7/8 April 1945 when the first arch was blown up by the German garrison defending the area.

The battalion war diary reports that B Coy suffered 19 killed, 19 wounded and a further 6 missing believed killed.

This brought the total casualties for the day up to 27 killed, 33 wounded and 6 missing following the earlier battle at Wunstorf and a road mine detonation. Several of the injured men also died as a result of their wounds.