Originally Posted by
PickyPerkins
"That evening (May 31, 1944), (Staff Sergeant) Wallwork and the other pilots were given a special set of orders. These said that the bearer was not responsible to anyone, that he was to be returned to the U.K. by the most expeditious means, and that this order overruled all other orders. It was signed "Bernard Law Montgomery’. (Brigadier) Poett also told Howard (commander of the Pegasus Bridge attack) privately, ‘Whatever you do, John, don’t let those pilots get into combat. They are much too valuable to be wasted. Get them back here." From, "Pegasus Bridge", by Stephen E. Ambrose, p. 84.
Elsewhere (but can't remember where), I read that this pass was on pink paper. Hence, presumably, this was the origin of the "pink chit" which most officers in the Mess bar late on Friday nights said they possessed!