Operation Varsity 24/25 March MIA

Just worked out that on the 24th March 44! men were killed and are still missing.

As not to far from the Cemetery and records of Cleve, I want to see if I can find out some more about them.
Not sure if someone is already doing the same, but if not, could someone maybe provide me with pages of the WD's of the units, only looking for day one and day 2 ,and maybe if they were provided loading list of RA gliders with names.

Thanks in advance

 

Might be an idea to post a list of the names, Philip. Am presuming they are not all from one unit?

 

AdamsF.J.Lance Corporal6351063.Div Signals
AllenA.J.MPrivate11051285.7th Para
ArmstrongS.G.Private14313710.8th Para
BaileyD.Gunner5059065.3 Anti Tank
BentleyJ.W.Corporal6482255.12 Para
BowersL.T.Private14437811.13 Para
BoydN.Rifleman7022506.RUR
BoyesH.W.Private1794779.13 Para
CarrB.M.Bombardier4924486.3 Anti Tank
CarrJ.W.Private14439863.9th Para
ConquestD.Private14219441.9th Para
DavisG.Private14831660.8th Para
DayA.K.Gunner11409081.3 Anti Tank
DonaldT.Rifleman6983243.RUR
FairbanksJ.W.Private14623983.7th Para
FarrellPRifleman14400077.RUR
FeltonC.Private1791459.9th Para
GibsonW.Private3311915.7th Para
GoddardF.W.Bombardier1829238.3 Anti Tank
GowerA.H.Lance sergeant795419.53 Airlanding
GriffithsI.Gunner14732938.3 Anti Tank
HareL.R.Gunner14592662.53 Airlanding
HarveyC.Rifleman14677429.RUR
Hedley.F.Sergeant862290.Glider PR
HenryH.Rifleman7013163.RUR
Hill.J.W.Gunner1156670.3 Anti Tank
JarvieC.R.Gunner11429053.2 FOU
LawsonS.Gunner1491419.53 Airlanding
LowJ.McGunner14731924.3 Anti Tank
MarshallG.A.Gunner839840.4 Anti Tank
Moore.G.T.Gunner14630710.3 Anti Tank
Moore.J.Rifleman7017079.RUR
PickeringADriverT/10702643.716 Airb RASC
ReadP.J.Sergeant14436962.Glider PR
ReynoldsE.N.Corporal6923893.7th Para
RossW.L.Staff-Sergeant2885280.Glider PR
SadlerD.Private3066974.7th Para
Sampson.M.J.Private5620230.12 Para
SmithT.A.Private14402825.7th Para
StothersD.Rifleman7013676.RUR
WaiteL.H.Corporal5443732.7th Para
WeighillD.W.G.Private14434337.12 Para
WenlockW.G.Gunner5059308.3 Anti Tank
WoodwardR.H.Signalman14547624.Div Signals

 

Maybe these are gliders ditched in the Rhine? I think I might have a WD for one of the units.

 

Could be Paul, some are Para's some maybe killed when a plane was shot down?, even an Air despatcher, thanks for checking out the WD

 

I think that the plane that Bentley of 12 Para was in was blown out of the sky, but I cant think for the life of me where I read/discovered it. I did correspond with his widow some years back but I do not know if she is still alive.
I will have a look through all my bits and pieces at the weekend.

Regards

Andy

 

Too late to look at this now. Will return tomorrow.

Steve W.

 

Thanks guys, will see if I can get hold of some books this weekend, still looking for the German book about the operation, but thats rare and expensive.

 

OK.

Gnrs Hare and Lawson - Horsa CN 305 - 25 pdr - landed 2 mls from zone - fatally wounded.

RASC - 12 Hamilcars - 8 arrived on/near the zone - 1 landed at Margarten (bodies of pilots and Dvr Baker found) - 3 were never traced - Dvr Pickering possibly on one of those.

3AT/4AT - both Batteries took heavy fire whilst in the air.

RUR - members listed may have been in coup-de-main or Main Party - both took heavy fire.

Sorry can't be more specific.

Steve W.

 

thanks steve

 

Hi Guys
My grandfather`s glider was shot down before reaching the LZ , he was with the 3rd airlanding anti tank battery RA , he was the only survivor. His friend Gunner Arthur Jones 4924702 was killed after he and my grandfather pulled the pilot out and ran for cover under heavy MG fire, Arthur ran to shelter in an abandoned tank which was boobytrapped ,he is buried in Reichswald Cemetery. my grandfather was injured and had to hide with the pilot from the germans who were looking for any survivors,the piolt died during the night ,i don`t know his name .My grandfather was eventually found by the americans after two days , he was recorded as MIA . I would like to find out exactly where this glider came down, there is no record in the battery WD ,has any ony got any ideas where to look ?

 

AdamsF.J.Lance Corporal6351063.Div Signals
AllenA.J.MPrivate11051285.7th Para
ArmstrongS.G.Private14313710.8th Para
BaileyD.Gunner5059065.3 Anti Tank
BentleyJ.W.Corporal6482255.12 Para
BowersL.T.Private14437811.13 Para
BoydN.Rifleman7022506.RUR
BoyesH.W.Private1794779.13 Para
CarrB.M.Bombardier4924486.3 Anti Tank
CarrJ.W.Private14439863.9th Para
ConquestD.Private14219441.9th Para
DavisG.Private14831660.8th Para
DayA.K.Gunner11409081.3 Anti Tank
DonaldT.Rifleman6983243.RUR
FairbanksJ.W.Private14623983.7th Para
FarrellPRifleman14400077.RUR
FeltonC.Private1791459.9th Para
GibsonW.Private3311915.7th Para
GoddardF.W.Bombardier1829238.3 Anti Tank
GowerA.H.Lance sergeant795419.53 Airlanding
GriffithsI.Gunner14732938.3 Anti Tank
HareL.R.Gunner14592662.53 Airlanding
HarveyC.Rifleman14677429.RUR
Hedley.F.Sergeant862290.Glider PR
HenryH.Rifleman7013163.RUR
Hill.J.W.Gunner1156670.3 Anti Tank
JarvieC.R.Gunner11429053.2 FOU
LawsonS.Gunner1491419.53 Airlanding
LowJ.McGunner14731924.3 Anti Tank
MarshallG.A.Gunner839840.4 Anti Tank
Moore.G.T.Gunner14630710.3 Anti Tank
Moore.J.Rifleman7017079.RUR
PickeringADriverT/10702643.716 Airb RASC
ReadP.J.Sergeant14436962.Glider PR
ReynoldsE.N.Corporal6923893.7th Para
RossW.L.Staff-Sergeant2885280.Glider PR
SadlerD.Private3066974.7th Para
Sampson.M.J.Private5620230.12 Para
SmithT.A.Private14402825.7th Para
StothersD.Rifleman7013676.RUR
WaiteL.H.Corporal5443732.7th Para
WeighillD.W.G.Private14434337.12 Para
WenlockW.G.Gunner5059308.3 Anti Tank
WoodwardR.H.Signalman14547624.Div Signals

Philip, one 13th Bn casualty misssing from your list

SELL. ERIC, 14635787, PRIVATE, 24/03/1945

P

 

Thanks for that info Phil

 

Hi, I am new to this but I thought you might like to know that L/sargent Gower was killed on the approach as the ammunition Hamilcar (carrying 9ton) overshot LZ P. My Uncle was sat next to him. I am currently trying to find out exactly where this particular Glider cam to rest, as I wish to place my uncle Gunner Page on the spot where he landed 24th March 1945. Gunner Leslie Ruben Hare came from Portsmouth and as far as I know has a sister still living.

 

Hi, I am new to this but I thought you might like to know that L/sargent Gower was killed on the approach as the ammunition Hamilcar (carrying 9ton) overshot LZ P. My Uncle was sat next to him. I am currently trying to find out exactly where this particular Glider cam to rest, as I wish to place my uncle Gunner Page on the spot where he landed 24th March 1945. Gunner Leslie Ruben Hare came from Portsmouth and as far as I know has a sister still living.

Unfortunately, the actual final position of your Uncle's glider is unknown. What I can tell you is that members of his regiment, Light Regt RA, with infantry support, recovered all the ammunition over a three-hour period, which began shortly before midnight. Perhaps your Uncle was part of this mission.

Steve W.

 

Hi Guys
My grandfather`s glider was shot down before reaching the LZ , he was with the 3rd airlanding anti tank battery RA , he was the only survivor. His friend Gunner Arthur Jones 4924702 was killed after he and my grandfather pulled the pilot out and ran for cover under heavy MG fire, Arthur ran to shelter in an abandoned tank which was boobytrapped ,he is buried in Reichswald Cemetery. my grandfather was injured and had to hide with the pilot from the germans who were looking for any survivors,the piolt died during the night ,i don`t know his name .My grandfather was eventually found by the americans after two days , he was recorded as MIA . I would like to find out exactly where this glider came down, there is no record in the battery WD ,has any ony got any ideas where to look ?

As with Wessex's Uncle's glider, it is unlikely that the final position of your Grandfather's glider will ever be known. The gliders were blasted by flak as they crossed the Rhine. The Battery lost 30% of its strength (killed/wounded/missing) in the fly-in and landing. Your Grandfather was very lucky to survive.

Steve W.

 

Thanks Steve .
I had always been told that his luck was in on that day, he never talked about it openly , he just wanted to forget that day. He saw action for three months in Normandy ,two months in Belgium but it was the last drop that broke him . He was troubled by it for a long time after he came home .
Just for the record :- He was Lance Bombardier Sidney Stride 4924825 of Wolverhampton, enlisted on 26/07/40 South Staffs , transferred to 3rd Airlanding Anti Tank Battery RA 22/2/42 till 5/2/46. died 1995 aged 85 ,All for an Extra Shilling a Week !
I`ll keep searching
Paul

 

Thanks for that info Wessex

 

Hi Phillip, I am new to this so I hope this gets through?
One of your missing men Herbert Gower 53rd worcester was sat next to my uncle when he was killed on the final approach they were carring Ammunition and over shot LZ "P" I am trying to pinpoint the final position of the glider so I can place my uncle on the spot this March 24th, Wessex

 

Unfortunately, the actual final position of your Uncle's glider is unknown. What I can tell you is that members of his regiment, Light Regt RA, with infantry support, recovered all the ammunition over a three-hour period, which began shortly before midnight. Perhaps your Uncle was part of this mission.

Steve W.
Hi Steve, Sorry to everyone first, my posts have appeared everywhere!
Yes, That is the exact glider position I am looking for. The successful attack was led by Lt Col R.A.Eden DSO (again I can find out little about this man). The first attack was beaten off, but in the confusion my Uncle Gunner Page and one other ran into a German patrol and were assembled after capture on the (then incomplete) autobahn.
I am extreamly grateful for any information!!!