Operation Varsity

Hi,

Trying to get to grips with the LZ used by No.620 and 190 Squadron on this operation. The ORBs are a little confusing. I have a 'A' an 'R' and a 'P'. Can anyone please explain where, and what each LZ was, and if possible what numbers from both squadron dropped on each ?

TIA

Steve

 

Hi,

190 Sqn ORB:

"... 30 of our aircraft were detailed for the operation; 24 in one section to drop on D.Z. R and 6 who were to drop with 620 Squadron on D.Z. P. Our first section of 24 aircraft were airborne in 26½ mins. ..."

Marked chart from "The Last Drop":



A bit of guess work for 6 destined for 'P'. Hopefully on right track.

Regards ...

 

A couple of zone maps:



Regards ...

 

I believe the Pegasus Archive site has maps showing the drop zones.

The Rhine Crossing

 

Gents,

My sincere thanks.

Kind regards

Steve

 

For context:
A and B were drop zones
P O R U were Landing Zones

Alex.

 

From 38 Group Op Varsity report

 

Thank you for the Op Report Horsepassanger.

 

Gents.

A bit of a needle in a field of haystacks this. I am trying to determine what crews from 620 lost their Horsa shortly after take-off. The Squadron ORB does not record the identity of the crew, and the Station ORB only returns 'O' and 'V'. Also, Stirling 'Q' and 'O returned early on reaching Brussels but the return times do not show two crews returning early! Hoping there might be something in other records I am not aware of.

TIA

Steve

 

Steve

All I could find

 

Horsepassenger,

That confirms what the RAF Great Dunmow Station Records Book seems to suggest. 620 ORB, the worst I have ever had the displeasure of researching !

Thank you anyway.

Steve

 

Confusing. What about late starts? There are two 620 Sqn Stirlings listed as not getting off until 08.45. 'O' and 'Q' maybe?

Regards ...

 

Yes, that is correct but the code letters only match on one a/c P/O P Jordan LJ899 QS-O. Took of late, but returned late ? If he only got as far as Brussels, I would have thought he would have been back a good 30-45 minutes before the others. ( if the times are right of course )

 

Time Up: 08.45. Time Down: 12.15
Time Up: 08.45. Time Down: 13.05

Sorry don't think those two aircraft could have made it all the way to Germany and back in those times. Compare with others.

Regards ...

 

How short after take off? Do you know if their glider came down in the U.K.?

 

The two late ones might be gliders 197 and 205, (205 tug pilot was a wing commander no less) they are mentioned as returning (with tug aircraft I think?) and going again later (doesn’t say when)

Alex

 

Further to my last here’s all I found. Some mention of gliders being lost at Folkestone, Southend and the Channel.

 

Ho,

For the sake of research a quote from the book, "Stirlings in Action with the Airborne Forces":

"Malcolm Mitchell, 190 Squadron, recalled:

'By this time we were well trained in the technique of towing, and the take-off and forming up for ‘Varsity’ was done smoothly, without fuss. However, when we were over the sea, heading towards the continent, my starboard inner engine developed a fault. Oil pressure dropped and cylinder head temperatures rose alarmingly. I told ‘Ikey’ that it would have to be feathered and switched off. It was quite possible for a Stirling to tow a glider whilst flying on three engines, but we were on an operation, towing a glider full of troops to battle, so our cautious pilot decided to abort the flight and return to base.'

Plt Off ‘Ikey’ Isaacson cast off his glider over Great Dunmow, then landed his Stirling, ‘W’. Two of the 620 Squadron aircraft, ‘O’ and ‘V’, had lost their gliders shortly after take off, when the tow-ropes broke, and these tugs also returned to base. ‘O’ took off with another glider, as did ‘Q’ of 620 Squadron, the latter being the replacement for 190 Squadron’s ‘W’. However, neither ‘O’ nor ‘Q’ was able to catch up with the stream by the time Brussels was reached, and both turned back at that point, as laid down in the orders covering this eventuality."

 

Gents,

A lot to take-in and this old boy is up at 05:00 hours. Thank you all for your help. Lots to consider. Re- W/Cdr Wynne-Powell DFC, awaiting a copy of his log book!

Steve

 

Cool, happy to help.