Varsity: C47 crash with British paras

Here's a news clipping on Lawrie originally posted by brithm.



I believe he was on the first 9 Para Dakota, CN 82, with Lt-Col. Crookenden who jumped first. Unfortunately his IWM interview skips over his Op Varsity experiences.

Regards ...

 

Off Topic ... ?

A few pics of Napier Crookenden in Germany with amusing comments. From the personal photo album of Lt-Col. Geoffrey Pine-Coffin, 7 Para CO, as sent by grandson, Michael.



Regards ...

 

A Dakota over DZ 'A'

Below is a better pic of an aircraft previously posted. The book "Airborne at War" by Lt-Col. Crookenden claims it is "A C-47 coming down on fire over DZ 'A'".



Regards ...

 

Compare

Here's a comparison to Bill Lawrie's footage of a flaming Dakota over DZ 'A'.



Regards ...

 

Major Thomas Cargill - CO 14th TCS (61 TCG)

In a former post alberk attached an aerial of a possible crash site on the eastern border of DZ 'A':

" ... on this aerial taken on March 25th there is still something burning just west of the road. Smoke is also rising from the house (Hingendahls Hof) but there is another source of smoke."



Could it be the crash of Chalk 46 as flown by pilot Major Cargill? After dropping its paratroops and making the turn for home it was hit by ground fire setting the left engine and cockpit ablaze. Before crashing, just out of the DZ, its left wing struck a building. There were no survivors. But would it still be burning on the 25th? Perhaps more a case of battle activity in the area of the March 24th crash.

Witness Statements and Accounts:



CN 46 was the first C-47 in the B2 Serial lineup. Did it by any chance carry Lt-Col. Jeff Nicklin of the 1st Canadians?

Regards ...

 

Yo,

Alberk also covered the same crash here:

Operation Varsity - lost aircraft

Regards ...

Later - A closer look at the crash from an aerial on alberk's thread: