The Pathfinders, as the name suggests have to be the first to drop on the landing zones (D.Z.) to guide the main drop of men to the correct locations. This was extremely difficult on June 6th. due to the horrific weather conditions, many of the pathfinders were themselves dropped in the wrong positions, this obviously led to the main assault being scattered all over!
The 6th. Airborne included 4,225 paratroops, who were dropped at 12:50 a.m. Only 50% were landed on the correct D.Z.
This was due to no fault of the Pathfinders, but to the terrible wind and weather conditions experienced by the pilots of the aircraft.

The 3rd. Parachute Brigade were dropped over two locations, one close to the River Dives and the other near to the Merville Battery, they were scattered all over the place due to the terrific wind. Gathering themselves together the best they could they proceeded to their objectives.
The Brigades main task, given to 9th. Battalion, was the silencing of the Merville Battery, a major German gun emplacement consisting of 4 heavy calibre guns encased in concrete case-mates, surrounded by minefields, barbed wire, tank ditches and defended by hardened German troops.
It was essential that this strategically important gun position was taken before dawn, as it was located in the perfect position to fire on Sword beach when the British troops landed.
The attack which had been carefully planned and rehearsed at Inkpen in Berkshire was thrown into utter chaos, the paratroops were dispersed and also lost over such a wide area that the Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Terence Otway, could only muster 150 men out of the whole Battalion!! These men marched for 2,000 meters to reach Merville, on reaching the objective the element of surprise was lost, due to two gliders landing close by, never the less, Otway led his men in a direct assault on the battery, within 15 minutes it was captured, but the price was high, the loss of 75 brave men.