Churchill's Varsity Battlefield Tour

Draghunt

From what I understand the Draghunt pontoon bridge is seen in the background of these two photos. Where was it located?



Regards ...

 

Here's the location of the Class9 Folding Boat Equipment (FBE):

 

Thanks alberk, suspected as much, but wasn't sure.

Regards ...

 

Rheinkilometer 828
Very considerate that the kilometer stone was protected. It probably doesn't exist anymore, there are big white boards these days with the kilometer information.

 

Rheinkilometer 831
Coincidence? The Class 12 downstream bridge near Vynen is also exactly at a kilometer stone.

 

This is still the Xanten location, I would guess.

 

In search for the hill

The only source that provides some information about the location of the hill is video clip "Churchill - Ike - Monty". Unfortunately it contains a large number of unrelated fragments. So only those scenes were evaluated in which people can be seen directly. Except for a few seconds the clip does not provide any clear information.



The analysis revealed the following:

(1) Aircraft that can be seen are flying in a "Vee of Vees" formation. Since we are talking about the Fürstenberg location, it should be C-47 enroute DZ W.

(2) As the aircraft are flying roughly parallel to the edge of the forest, the sketch was aligned accordingly.

(3) A forest with tall trees can be seen, the edge of the forest is straight, the terrain is ascending.

(4) A path runs parallel to the edge of the forest, vehicles are parked there.

(5) A farm cottage is located in a depression in the terrain with agricultural land. A narrow field path appears to run in front of the building.

(6) The observers are on the terrain which rises towards the south and is overgrown.



Actually, the chances of identifying the point of view on the Fürstenberg should be good. The area has not changed fundamentally; the paths and use of the plots have often remained the same since 1945. Nevertheless, I have not yet managed to identify a location that even approximately corresponds to the profile described.

A batch of maps will be posted later (if the connection is better) ...

 

It could be - not sure? My experience has been whenever I go out on a limb thinking I have it all worked out the branch inevitably breaks ...

Regards ...

 

Addition to last post

 

Gloster's Perch

Just looking for Gloster's shared elevated O.P.

Regards ...

The site is in one of its "slow as molasses" moments for me ...

 

Presentation



Regards ...

 

Units Nearby

Alanbrooke stated that guns were firing near their observation site before the arrival of the airborne flotilla. No idea, however, if the Churchill party were close by Haus Furstenberg. Also as can be seen from a crop of one of alberk's maps there were Engineer units situated close by Furstenberg.



Regards ...

 

It would have been quite dangerous for Gloster at this point, as that aerial was taken on February 22, 1945. The following aerial was taken on March 23, 1945, but unfortunately is of poorer quality.

 

February 22nd ... ?

I wasn't aware of the date which probably makes my marked aerials above meaningless and will remove at some point.

Regards ...

 

East Bank Structure

An interesting structure/object can be seen in the background of these two March 26th crossing photos. Is it Sgt Morris or Sgt. Midgley photographing from rear of Buffalo?



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Gravel extraction was a profitable industry along the banks of the Rhine in the Bislich area:


This is a picture from the 1950s

 

Excavators and LVTs

I was just looking at an LVT Dispersal Point and you post a pic of Buffaloes close by an excavator or two. Probably just a coincidence ... ?



Regards ...

 

Other Sgt. Midgley Lunch/Picnic Pics

So apparently, according to Alanbrooke, they recross the Rhine by Buffalo to the west bank and then travel up to the next bridge, near which they lunch. They must have buffaloed their jeeps across as well.



Regards ...

 

And now for something completely different ...

At first I was surprised ...



... then I found this one



... and the American chap doesn't think it's funny at all. He looks like a military version of Detective Columbo



First British woman to cross the Rhine. Correspondent Rhona Churchill (no relation)

Later ...

 

Very good! Was wondering who she was.

Regards ...