Hi Ben, I have him jumping from CN 342, a 9 Para stick, out of RAF Broadwell on Op Tonga. Part of that stick landed in the flooded area east of Varaville. Terry Jepp mentions coming across Pte. Duce not long after landing in his diary (Appx E, 9 Para WD) and in an oral account on the IWM. The Jepp party were the first group of Airborne men to arrive at the Vermughen Farm. Duce also turns up in the book "How like a Wilderness" by Roland Gant (Cracknell). Regards ...
Hi Cee. Thank's for answer !! I have always thought he was glider ,because he doesn't wear a parachut trousers regards Ben
CN342: Sgt Fred GARRETT stick: from N°1 to N°13: dropped between Villers Sur Mer- Saint Pierre Azif- Saint Vaast En Auge from N°14 to N°20: dropped into Dives Sur Mer David DUCE was N°16
Yes this is Crpl Frank Gleeson. My father. Apparently when they were captured in St Pierre Sur dives Frank had suggested that they keep smiling - it will upset their captors.
Hi There, The photo on the left with the group being marched through St Pierre sur Dives shows Frank Gleeson in beret on left of front row. The second pic showing another Para smiling (I think this was take in the German prisoner of war camp where they were being held) is a different Para. I have some other photos which relate to this capture if anyone is interested. Regards Jane Gleeson
Hi, Still more Frank Gleeson related items from the Pegasus Journal. I tried contacting Jane, but she has slipped away. Regards ...
Hey, As you might have guessed I have been going through some Pegasus Journal saves from Paradata. The following is a letter from Cpl. Reg Brownhill. These men, as noted previously, were captured on D-Day and photographed in front of the German HQ near Sannerville. Regards ...
Dear CEE, there is one interesting photo in one of the three described in the Gleeson document for the Pegasus Journal (above) there is a second picture of the same Para that can be found at the German Bild Archives. That photo shows him having his right hand being treated by a German Medic. Regards,
Hi, It depends of photo that you used. For example, here on this photo, Ted Ruff is behind the para with white scarf. Frank in 1994? On your photo, my interpretation Ted Ruff is on right Regards Bernard