Protective suit worn by Lieutenant Rollo Mangnall RNVR of the Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP)

Reliable intelligence about the geography and geology of the Normandy coastline and the strength of the German defences was vital. During December 1943 and January 1944, members of COPP carried out a detailed geological survey of the proposed landing beaches. They later ‘guided’ the invasion fleet.