Montgomery’s plan, named Operation Fustian, was for the bridge to be captured by the British 1st Parachute Brigade after landing on drop zones at either end. British ground forces were to advance some 40 km in 24 hours and relieve the airborne troops at Primosole Bridge.
Dominating the southern approach, and the bridge itself, was a cluster of three prominent features that had been nicknamed Johnny I, II, & III respectively after Lt Col. John Frost, whose 2nd Parachute Battalion had been given the task of seizing them from the Italian Forces who had well-prepared defences on the slopes and in the caves on the hill. There were farm buildings both on the summit of Johnny I and at the base of the northern slope.
Operation Fustian was launched on the evening of 13 July. Disaster struck in a chaotic and wildly dispersed parachute drop. This was due to a horrific friendly fire incident where the Allied fleet had engaged the airborne flotilla as it passed overhead, and this fire caused loss of course and correct jump altitude immediately prior to reaching the drop
