How did British airborne troops prevent German forces from approaching Sword Beach from the east?

To prevent German forces from approaching Sword Beach from the east during the Normandy Invasion, the British 6th Airborne Division executed several critical operations on D-Day:

• Destroying Infrastructure: Airborne troops successfully destroyed five bridges over the Dives River. By demolishing these crossings, they effectively denied German forces a route to reach the invasion area from the east.1
• Securing Key Routes: Paratroopers seized the vital bridges over the Orne River and the Caen Canal near Bénouville. Securing these bridges intact ensured that the Allied forces landing at Sword Beach had essential exit routes while preventing German movement across these waterways.1
• Holding Defensive Positions: The airborne units were tasked with holding the Ranville ridge, which separated the Orne and Dives rivers, to defend against anticipated German counterattacks.1
• Neutralizing Artillery: The 6th Airborne also neutralized the Merville battery, a significant artillery threat that could have targeted the seaborne landing forces at Sword Beach.1