Operation Varsity Places nowadays

I’ll have a look as I have that frame on my computer and can zoom in.

 

I reckon I have it now!
just to the left of where you thought. trying to upload the picture but it's too big. I'll email it to you also.

 

Hopefully you can see this ok. I had to take a picture of my computer screen!

 

Hi Alex1975uk,
may I enter the discussion by asking which glider this is? Jenny's object of interest - CN 305?
Would you have a photo with some points that would help to get some orientation?
regards
Alex

 

Hi,
Yes I believe that’s 305 ( if we all agree the map references were mixed up with the other glider). There’s a picture above that Jenny put a red arrow on, this is that area 1751 grid square I believe without checking.

 

Hello, I think we all agree that the map references were mixed up.
Here's the proof.
There were only two 25 pdrs carried into action and the other one landed in the correct spot as stated in this report from: Headquarters, The Glider Pilot Regiment

"B" Squadron - Major T.I.J. Toler - (L.Z. 'P').

1. Take-Off, Flight and Landing. Take off was satisfactory, the first thirty combinations being pre-marshalled. The flight was uneventful except that in some cases the sun was very trying when in the low tow. In most cases opposition was met on landing, but was greatly reduced by the American Parachutists, who had dropped on Landing Zone, prior to the glider landings, in error.

2. Unloading - 25 Pounder. Great difficulty was experienced in both loading and unloading this special load and more trials are required before it is operationally satisfactory. In spite of this the 25 pounder was brought into action and was instrumental in indicating targets to the Typhoons.

3. Military Situation. Immediately upon landing and having unloaded my glider I proceeded to the RV (188486) which was only 50 yds away, and found that it was in our hands. Approximately 16 pilots of "B" Sqn were there. I left them to take over the house and proceeded with my load to the next farm RV.2 (191487) which was also in our hands.

 

Yes, I was sure from Jenny’s original post they had mixed them up.

 

Hi alberk, here's a view from Google Earth. Hopefully my red dot has survived my rather amateur editing skills!

Thanks for your efforts Alex1975uk, I really am astonished at what you've been able to provide.

Jenny

 

Hey Jenny I think Alex is on a good path there to find your suspected glider, otherwise I would've been more than happy to help out. If there's more images you need let me know (Alex has access to the aerial pictured as well now I think). Happy new year's eve yall!

 

Besides the marks that alex posted on an earlier picture that are no gliders nearby except for this one which seems to be a bit east from the dot you marked on the map. (The red dot is your marked location Jenny and the blue spot is where I've spotted a glider besides the marks that Alex discovered close to the spot you marked on the map).

 

That’s on the edge of DZ B, too far away from the grid we (I think) have agreed for where glider 305 was. I noticed that glider burning well even on the 25th March, I suspect it was set on fire on that day and not the 24th.

 

Yes I took your advice and paid the subscription to the NCAP.
I’ve found a picture which relates to my Grandads area of fighting on the DZ which is quite remarkable, so thanks for the tip once again! I hope alberk yourself and I can have a day touring the area and share our knowledge!
Schönes neue Jahr!

 

Alex1975uk & MoeA - "ein schönes neues Jahr" for you, too! The pandemic will be over some day (sooner or later) and the tour in the Hamminkeln area is certainly something to look forward to.

 

Alex I'm glad you got that subscription, the aerial pictures are simply stunning and yet there's still so much to discover! I'd love to do a tour with you guys someday, that is definitely on my list for 2021. Happy new year folks!

 

I'm currently analyzing operation flashpoint (which was part of OP Plunder) since I now live in Rheinberg and the Rhine crossing area is literally just down the road. Those aerial photos from ncap actually show the day when they crossed the Rhine! Varsity though always had my attention I hope we can discover a lot more in the near future.

 

I have some documents which might help. I’ll email them to you.

 

Here's another view, zoomed out, showing the position in relation to Hamminkeln and the LZ areas.

Jenny

 

Jenny,

thank you! Have a happy new year!
With best regards
Alex

 

While we are discussing gliders that landed far beyond the LZs I would like to point out another case - here's the burial site of an unknown glider pilot. He died even further north - at 149513 - south of Clasenhof.

 

The CWGC concentration report stated that he was with the GPR. Relatively close by Bdr Yates of 4 Air. AT Bty was buried at grid 143513.