Ten days before D-Day, 37 officers were listed on the 1st KOSB's Field Return — men who had trained together and were about to land on Sword Beach. Three months later, on 2 September 1944 as the battalion prepared to leave Normandy, 32 officers appeared on the roll.

The training took place from 21 August 1944, using a Class 9 FBE bridge, a Class 9 Close Support Raft and six Storm Boats — all part of the operational allotment, which could not be replaced if damaged. A month later, these skills would be put to the test for real when the battalion crossed the Meuse-Escaut Canal in September 1944.