Gliders were an integral part of any air transport fleet that were used by paratroop divisions in WW2. The Germans used a model of 1/3 para, 1/3 glider, and 1/3 air transport rgt for each div with the air transport rgt being a mountain rgt that was also trained for this mission. The American and the Brits both used a 2/3 para and 1/3 glider model. The Brits also developed a larger glider which was used to haul bigger guns or equipment or more men.
From
http://www.worldwar2database.com/html/normandy.htm:
The Normandy Invasion June 6 - August 25, 1944
At 12:05 AM on June 6, 1944, three gliders carrying an element of the British 1st Airborne Division silently cut loose form the their tow planes and drifted towards the Pegasus Bridge, one of the few bridges that led over the Seine towards Normandy.
Within fifteen minutes, the British paratroopers inside landed and stormed the bridge with heavy casualties. The first landings in Europe were made.
Around the same time, pathfinders equipped with powerful lanterns dropped all over the Cotentin Peninsula. Alone, outnumbered, and often in the wrong place, they were dropped to mark the way for the thousands of men coming in behind them.
In England, hundreds of transports prepared gliders with paratroopers carrying their body weight in food, supplies, and weapons. One witness recalled the paratroopers “kneeling in prayer“ as they prepared for takeoff. Actually they were too heavy to stand. They boarded the transports and prepared to drop over Normandy.
By 2 AM Normandy was alive with antiaircraft fire. Dakotas carrying the American 101st, 82nd and British 1st Airborne came under fire as soon as they hit the coast.
...
I just read in a book that the Americans paradropped at night on D-Day while their gliders flew in during the day attempting to land near areas that the paras had captured (instant reinforcements). Gliders were simply an integral part of the air transport fleet during WW2.
