 The 9th were dropped in the night before to secure vital objectives, particularly to neutralise the Merville Gun Battery.In spite of severe problems in the landing, his battalion took the Merville Battery.Otway started with about 750 men, few of whom had seen action before; of the 150 who took part in the attack, 65 had been either killed or wounded by the end of the action, which saved a great many Allied lives.