Has anyone ever seen any of these? Pre or post invasion? Has anyone been to or contacted the archive in Scotland I think it is that has aerial pics from WW2? Alex.
Hi Alex, I collect Op Varsity aerials when I run across them on the internet or from books, most of which are poor quality. Some of them I haven't a clue as to their actual locations. The Americans did a good job documenting their landing zones post operation with low runs which can be found on Fold3, or whenever available on Ebay with good sample views. Sometimes they show up at auction houses in collections, but can be pretty pricey. A document containing top secret operational material "Six Airborne Division Intelligence Summari As for NCAP I didn't have much luck there, which could have been due to the use of poor search terms on my part? There is an early sortie from September 1944 (Box 0329) at the Laurier University collection that captures a part of the landing zones to be. So I'm still on the look out for the mother lode and more importantly improving my knowledge of the area. Regards ...
Here some google finds, it is not easy to find German Aerials or Aerials above Germany. But i will have a look the next days. But here some pictures and Video. At 3:03 footage of Varsity Aerials of Varsity Aerial of Varsity on Flickr Some others http://www.b24.net/missions/MM032445.htm
Hi Bedee, Thanks for taking a look. I'm familiar with your links to Varsity aerials and there are some nice ones there. Unfortunately most of them are of American LZ's to the south. Alex didn't mention his grandad was with 7 Para so his interest is primarily focused on DZ 'B' where the 5th Brigade Battalions came down. I only had one of DZ 'B' which I sent him and will attach here. Not great resolution and it appears to have been taken sometime after the war. I also have a special interest in DZ 'B'. As well I like to discover the location of gliders shown in official an unofficial ground photographs, so all aerials of the British sector catch my attention. There are some on ParaData, Battlefield Historian and The Pegasus Archive, although not the best. Regards ...
Cee, Operation Varsity But i have some friends who are know more of this operation. Will ask them... Come back later.
Bedee, I haven't quite figured out the location of the drop photo you linked to. The aircraft are probably coming in from the south east having just passed the railway line. It could be a still from a film roll. Getty Images has the photo flipped and claims it was taken by U.S. Cameraman Fred Quant (or Quandt). Not sure how true that is? Quant was on a B-17 Flying Fortress piloted by Lt-Col "Lucky" R.B. Baldwin carrying cameramen, reporters and observers. The B-17 was struck by flak just after turning to head home. Everyone on board jumped except the pilot who crash landed in friendly territory and survived. Quant had the presence of mind to take the film from his camera before leaving the aircraft. For more info see this page a little more than half way down. The THE BENTON REMMERS "LUCKY" BALDWIN PHOTOGRAPH AND DOCUMENT COLLECTION Page of the Davis-Monthan Airfield Register Website Regards ...
Hi P&D, Yes that is an excellent plot map and I can see it being very useful. Thanks for sharing. Regards ...
Hi guys. Just caught up with the thread as I didn't get any notifications of new posts. Pen and Dagger that's a great plot map, may I ask where you found this? National archives maybe? Interestingly the red lines show limit of photography, so, the aerial photos are out there somewhere ! Alex.
This is 100% drop zone A, so it's 3 brigade dropping. The tree lined road in the background is Duisburger Straße, it runs from mehrhoog (right) to bergerfurth ( left)
Alex, Ok it took awhile, but I think I have it. The Getty image needs to be flipped. Most definitely DZ 'A' as you say. Regards ...
