On D-Day +1, Marshall and 4CLY, in Cromwell tanks, landed on Gold Beach, Arromanches, France and moved into the ‘Bocage’ area West of Caen. There they met fierce German resistance, losing several tanks and men killed or wounded.
On 12 June, as part of Operation ‘Perch’, the Regiment headed to Villers-Bocage in an attempt to outflank the German troops. The Germans counter-attacked the 4CLY advance, and half the Regiment - the whole of A Squadron, plus Headquarters (HQ) Squadron - were destroyed, with many men killed or captured. Only B Squadron and Marshall’s C Squadron survived intact.
B & C, together with other allied troops, were now subjected to fierce attacks as the Germans tried to annihilate them. The Allies fought them off but were forced to retreat.
Following further fighting around Caen, on 30 July 1944, 4CLY were amalgamated with the 3rd CLY, due to the heavy losses both Regiments had sustained. Marshall was posted to 3 Troop, C Squadron, 3/4CLY, but now in a Sherman tank.