Sgt George A. Cove Glider Pilot

Discussion in 'Airborne' started by Owen Ap Benfro, Aug 19, 2012.

  1. Seeking information on the exploits of Sgt (Pilot) George A. Cove. The son of Percival F. & Rowena G. Cove nee' Rees who mrd probably at St Dogmaels Pembroke in 1915, he was born in 1923.
    He qualified as a Spitfire pilot in Canada and on return to the U.K. volunteered to pilot gliders.
    He was reported missing presumed killed, during Operation Varsity on the 24th March 1945, however he is one of many that I have that does not appear to be listed CWGC under various spellings and possible different dates.
    Seeing the fantastic response others have had, can anyone supply any further information on the gentleman.
    ((I'm afraid my motorycyle trips to TNA like those of the 1970's are no longer possible)).
    Rgds
    Owen Ap Benfro
     
  2. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    In the book "Wot no Engines" Sgt G Cove is shown as a member of D Sqn and as a POW

    John
     
  3. In the book "Wot no Engines" Sgt G Cove is shown as a member of D Sqn and as a POW

    John

    John
    Many thanks, that clears CWGC, and solves my problem.
    Rgds
    Owen Ap Benfro
     
  4. Tbarn0304

    Tbarn0304 New Member

    George Alvery Cove was my grandads Uncle (his sister Marjorie Forster-nee Cove is my great grandmother still alive at the age of 95). George Cove was in the second wave of gliders in operation Varsity but due to a temperature inversion which caused the smoke and fires from the first assault/wave to obscure the DZ, many of the second wave of gliders overshot the DZ and landed amongst the Germans. George was one of these who were taken prisoner and marched back to Germany. During the march the column was straffed and during the confusion George and others managed to escape back to the advancing allied lines. The telegram received by his mother just stated that he was missing.
    George returned to his native St. Dogmaels in Pembrokeshire to run his fathers bakery. In later life George suffered from what today is recognised as PTSD and he died in 1979 at the age of 56. Hope you appreciate the information given, any other information you may have would be much appreciated.
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Doubt if you'll hear back as looking at his profile it says..
    Owen Ap Benfro was last seen:Sep 23, 2014
     
  6. Tbarn0304

    Tbarn0304 New Member

    Ok thanks. Thats unfortunate but this was more of an attempt to set the record straight than anything else. Any information available from anyone would still be absoulutely fantastic.
     
  7. VarsityGlider305

    VarsityGlider305 Well-Known Member

    Hi Tbarn304,

    I have been collecting information on Operation Varsity and believe Cove was in a second serial glider, CN435, out of Shepherds Grove along with another RAF Glider Pilot, T. Henshall although I don't know who was first and who was second pilot in this pairing. Do you know? The answer should be in his flying log book if you have it. That would indeed make him a member of D squadron of the GPR. My Dad was in the same squadron but went up in the first serial, in CN305.

    Hope this helps.
    Jenny
     
    Tbarn0304 likes this.
  8. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Cove is shown on the attached Glider Raid report as 1st Pilot

    John
     

    Attached Files:

    Tbarn0304 and VarsityGlider305 like this.
  9. VarsityGlider305

    VarsityGlider305 Well-Known Member

    John, this is great. Do you have others? I am particularly keen to see my Dad's but have so far drawn a blank.

    Jenny
     
  10. Tbarn0304

    Tbarn0304 New Member

    Thank you both John and Jenny for the information you have both provided. It has been much appreciated and already shown to my grandfather who knew and worked with George as a boy. I am hoping to show the information to his daughter and hopefully learn the whereabouts of his log book. Good luck Jenny on finding information on your father also. Still would be over the moon with any other information shared if available.
     
  11. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Jenny

    I am just off on holiday - can you pm me your Father's details and I will gladly look up enemy return
     
  12. HighTow

    HighTow Junior Member

    Jenny, the 196 Squadron ORB appendices unfortunately doesn't contain any parachute or glider raid reports, only movement order and aircraft serviceability return forms.

    The 435 report is from the 299 Squadron ORB appendices.
     
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