Try contacting Mike Peters the author of "Glider Pilots in Sicily" https://www.amazon.co.uk/glider-pilots-sicily-mike-peters/dp/1848846835. His email address is on his page as a Battlefield Guide. https://www.gbg-international.com/guide/mike-peters
The book "Glider Pilots in Sicily" has a list towards end under Appendix 1 entitled "Operation LADBROKE Post Mission Reports". With the ebook they are series of images rather than text. As an example here is the first image. Regards ...
There is no trace of Sgt Shorter being involved in Operations Ladbroke or Fustian. Neither is he listed a flying one of the gilders when they moved from Froha to Sousse in June ‘43
Cant help with Sicily, but assuming its 1876535 H M J Shorter he did D-Day and Arnhem where he was taken POW, having the number may help peoples searches
Just noticed you already have a thread about him 1876535 Ssgt Horace James Milton Shorter, Glider Pilot Regiment | WW2Talk
In ‘The Glider Gang’ by Milton Dank (US, 439 Troop Carrier Group 44-45) a few names are included in the ‘Sicilian Vespers’ chapter. Snippets below: “Of the six Horsas that were to attack the Ponte Grande, two landed in the immediate vicinity ...... One, piloted by the popular Captain JNC Denholm came in downwind, hit the bank of the canal at high speed and blew up, killing all on board”. “One Horsa glider, piloted by Staff Sergeant DP ‘Galp’ Galpin, landed close to the bridge, having been guided down by a helpful Italian searchlight ......”. (After taking and holding the bridge through the night, they were reinforced by crews and pax who had landed elsewhere, including two Waco pilots) Flight Officer Samuel Fine of Flushing NY (subsequently wounded and) Flight Officer Russell D Parks (attributed as the only Americans at that scene, although a Flt Officer Morris B Kyle of West Virginia seems to have been a co-pilot on a Waco, too.) Also mentioned are Sergeant HN ‘Andy’ Andrews and the injured Colonel ‘Honker’ Henniker, but the rest of the accounts of FUSTIAN exclude names.
Denholm’s glider (chalk 132), carrying members of C Company, South Staffords, landed just upstream of the bridge objective, burst into flames and exploded. There were three survivors, one officer and two other ranks, although all of them were badly injured.
Yes I do have a thread. Some of the research done indicates Sgt Shorter transferred from his parent Corps, RE, in 1942. If that is the case what did he do between 42 and 44??
Sorry to be somewhat negative but you have been advised by probably the most knowledgeable on the subject but note that you say that you have not applied for his Service Record. This is the one place that can answer your last question as he most likely attended a glider pilot training course which would be indicated on the Service Record documents. I guess that you are not a relative so have a problem with obtaining a death cert or proving a relationship. Maybe you should seek advice from members on here with experience in obtaining Service Records as a third party. Perhaps you might obtain some official paperwork to help you in this. Apologies if I am trying to teach granny to suck eggs.
Always ready to learn. Been in Australia makes it difficult and the only way is via this means. Thank for your suggestions.
Kiwi Sapper If you are unaware of the rules for application use this link as it explains it quite well if it works in your zone of operation. It is a UK Govt website and the only place where you will get personal records. Request records of deceased service personnel. You might try contacting them for further details or experienced researchers here might be able to help. There are a few members from your part of the world. The alternative is to use a genealogy website to trace his family. Good Luck.
My first post - Hello. My uncle Staff Sergeant Norman David Wright, The Glider Pilot Regiment, arrived in the North Africa area on 30th May 1943 and we believe he took part in the Sicily operations of 9th July but his role is not precisely known. We do know he was back in North Africa having returned from Sicily on 17 July 1943, when he wrote home. I am in possession of a group photograph, without identities, marked '1943 The Glider Pilot Regiment, No. 2 Troop, No. 1 Squadron, Italy 1943'. Norman Wright would later take part as a Glider Pilot at Arnhem, where he was wounded and a POW at Stalag X1B Fallingbostel. If anyone out there can assist in identifying his role in the Mediterranean I would be obliged. Thanks
May I suggest that you post the photo as someone might recognise him. A bit of a long shot but I found one of the men I was looking for. He wasn't on the list for Sicily although we knew he had been there but was photographed in a group later in the war. He flew into Arnhem and got back with a group of others. There are photos on Glider Pilot Regiment (GPR) | ParaData might be worth a look.
Would you mind if I copy and post it so that it can be seen and discussed? Not everyone has pdf viewers. I will delete it if you wish. Which one is your uncle Staff Sergeant Norman David Wright
Thank you for your assistance thus far. I have no objection to the photograph being circulated to interested parties. I have not seen it posted anywhere else and may be unique.
