Can anyone help with the following query? 4964484 S Sgt Desmond Ryans was awarded the DFM for his actions on the Rhine Crossing. His citation states in part that he had taken part in the operations Husky, Neptune and Market. So far I have been unable to track down which glider he flew and with whom on Op Husky. There is no mention of him in the excellent book Glider Pilots at Sicily although I do realise that there is bound to be the odd omission in any book that lists members of units who have taken part in particular operations. S/Sgt Ryans was a member of 1 Wing Glider Pilot Regiment and was in 'D' Squadron. His service record confirms that he was entitled to the Italy Star which would imply that he served in Sicily or Italy. Any help gratefully received. Cheers Arnhem
Bit off you topic but his second pilot on Varsity was Ken Plowman happens to be a volunteer at the Jet Age Museum and part sponsored our Horsa cockpit build project. I dug out a lot documents for Ken and was surprised to learn he had no-debrief after Varisty and was simply posted away as soon as he returned to the UK and never saw Des again. He didn't know he'd been awared the DFM until I told him in 2016. He was rather suprised because according to him, Des didn't actually do the landing.
432. 'D' Squadron from Shephards Grove. Was carrying a jeep and trailer from HQ 5th Para to LZ B. According to Ken their flaps refused to operate so they did a circuit over the town and landed from the opposite direction, slammed into a ditch and the cockpit detached and rolled away with them in it. As I said, Ken is adamant that he performed the landing as Des was briefly incapacitated.
Hi High Tow Thanks for the additional info re Varsity. I knew that S/Sgt Ryans was wounded at some stage during Op Varsity. It may be that it was during the run in which would explain the handing over of controls. Sorry take that comment about wounding back. He was wounded GSW to left arm and scalp during Arnhem but I do not have any details for Varsity. Cheers Arnhem
Thanks, I have a decent aerial photo of a section of DZ B. Would you be happy to email me so we could talk regarding this? I’d be interested to ask your man a few questions about being on the ground there if ok? Alex.
