 He was posted to the 2nd Ox and Bucks (the 52nd) and placed in command of No 14 platoon B Company.The 2nd Ox and Bucks formed part of 6th Airlanding Brigade, 6th Airborne Division.Smith and his platoon were attached to Major John Howard's D Company 2nd Ox and Bucks who were to lead the gliderborne coup de main operation on D-Day to capture Benouville bridge over the Caen canal, now known as Pegasus Bridge and Ranville bridge over the River Orne, now known as Horsa Bridge.