Operation Varsity Places nowadays

Discussion in 'WW2 Battlefields Today' started by MoeA, Aug 25, 2014.

  1. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    I’ll have a look as I have that frame on my computer and can zoom in.
     
  2. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    I reckon I have it now!
    just to the left of where you thought. trying to upload the picture but it's too big. I'll email it to you also.
     
  3. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Hopefully you can see this ok. I had to take a picture of my computer screen!
     

    Attached Files:

  4. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Hi Alex1975uk,
    may I enter the discussion by asking which glider this is? Jenny's object of interest - CN 305?
    Would you have a photo with some points that would help to get some orientation?
    regards
    Alex
     
  5. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Hi,
    Yes I believe that’s 305 ( if we all agree the map references were mixed up with the other glider). There’s a picture above that Jenny put a red arrow on, this is that area 1751 grid square I believe without checking.
     
  6. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Hello, I think we all agree that the map references were mixed up.
    Here's the proof.
    There were only two 25 pdrs carried into action and the other one landed in the correct spot as stated in this report from: Headquarters, The Glider Pilot Regiment

    "B" Squadron - Major T.I.J. Toler - (L.Z. 'P').


    1. Take-Off, Flight and Landing. Take off was satisfactory, the first thirty combinations being pre-marshalled. The flight was uneventful except that in some cases the sun was very trying when in the low tow. In most cases opposition was met on landing, but was greatly reduced by the American Parachutists, who had dropped on Landing Zone, prior to the glider landings, in error.

    2. Unloading - 25 Pounder. Great difficulty was experienced in both loading and unloading this special load and more trials are required before it is operationally satisfactory. In spite of this the 25 pounder was brought into action and was instrumental in indicating targets to the Typhoons.

    3. Military Situation. Immediately upon landing and having unloaded my glider I proceeded to the RV (188486) which was only 50 yds away, and found that it was in our hands. Approximately 16 pilots of "B" Sqn were there. I left them to take over the house and proceeded with my load to the next farm RV.2 (191487) which was also in our hands.
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2020
  7. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Yes, I was sure from Jenny’s original post they had mixed them up.
     
  8. VarsityGlider305

    VarsityGlider305 Well-Known Member

    Hi alberk, here's a view from Google Earth. Hopefully my red dot has survived my rather amateur editing skills!

    Thanks for your efforts Alex1975uk, I really am astonished at what you've been able to provide.

    Jenny
     

    Attached Files:

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  9. MoeA

    MoeA Member

    Hey Jenny I think Alex is on a good path there to find your suspected glider, otherwise I would've been more than happy to help out. If there's more images you need let me know (Alex has access to the aerial pictured as well now I think). Happy new year's eve yall!
     
  10. MoeA

    MoeA Member

    Besides the marks that alex posted on an earlier picture that are no gliders nearby except for this one which seems to be a bit east from the dot you marked on the map. (The red dot is your marked location Jenny and the blue spot is where I've spotted a glider besides the marks that Alex discovered close to the spot you marked on the map).
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    That’s on the edge of DZ B, too far away from the grid we (I think) have agreed for where glider 305 was. I noticed that glider burning well even on the 25th March, I suspect it was set on fire on that day and not the 24th.
     
  12. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Yes I took your advice and paid the subscription to the NCAP.
    I’ve found a picture which relates to my Grandads area of fighting on the DZ which is quite remarkable, so thanks for the tip once again! I hope alberk yourself and I can have a day touring the area and share our knowledge!
    Schönes neue Jahr!
     
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  13. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Alex1975uk & MoeA - "ein schönes neues Jahr" for you, too! The pandemic will be over some day (sooner or later) and the tour in the Hamminkeln area is certainly something to look forward to.
     
    Alex1975uk likes this.
  14. MoeA

    MoeA Member

    Alex I'm glad you got that subscription, the aerial pictures are simply stunning and yet there's still so much to discover! I'd love to do a tour with you guys someday, that is definitely on my list for 2021. Happy new year folks!
     
  15. MoeA

    MoeA Member

    I'm currently analyzing operation flashpoint (which was part of OP Plunder) since I now live in Rheinberg and the Rhine crossing area is literally just down the road. Those aerial photos from ncap actually show the day when they crossed the Rhine! Varsity though always had my attention I hope we can discover a lot more in the near future.
     
    alberk likes this.
  16. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    I have some documents which might help. I’ll email them to you.
     
  17. VarsityGlider305

    VarsityGlider305 Well-Known Member

    Here's another view, zoomed out, showing the position in relation to Hamminkeln and the LZ areas.

    Jenny
    InkedMap - distance from target_LI.jpg
     
    alberk likes this.
  18. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Jenny,

    thank you! Have a happy new year!
    With best regards
    Alex
     
  19. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    While we are discussing gliders that landed far beyond the LZs I would like to point out another case - here's the burial site of an unknown glider pilot. He died even further north - at 149513 - south of Clasenhof.
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2021
    BrianHall1963 likes this.
  20. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    The CWGC concentration report stated that he was with the GPR. Relatively close by Bdr Yates of 4 Air. AT Bty was buried at grid 143513.
    glider pilot unknown.png
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2021

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