Wartime Memories: Operation Varsity
I was a POW January 6, thru April 29, 1945. There was a lot we missed out on in those days as POW's. We were on a 95 mile forced march in 1945 between Nurenburg and Moosburg.
What do you know about Operation Varsity or are there any others that flew two missions on March 24, 1945? I read a lot of my 91st BG and other BG's history of WWII era from my library books of time. It is most interesting. But being a POW at that time missed out on some adventures.
I am always looking for the largest group of aircraft in a one day mission outside of D-Day landing and "Operation Cobra" July 19 to 21, 1944, of 3,000 planes. I had the impression Christmas Eve, December 24, 1944, 2045 Bombers and 800 fighter was my greatest day. But I was wrong. There was a greater number of 8th Air Force and British aircraft in the air on March 24, 1945.
We acquired this book at our monthly Dayton Chapter POW Meeting. One of our (non-joiner) members died and his widow wanted to give his books to someone worthy. My Chapter Commander was Infantry and he gave this one to me. While reading this book, (B-17's Over Berlin) by Ian Hawkins, it is composed of "Personal Stories from the men of 95th BG (H)."
After reading the book, being more curious than before, I went to my 91st BG buddie Marion Havelaar's Book "The Ragged Irregulars of Bassingbourn." In it Marion says on page 186, March 24, 1945, marked "Varsity" which was the airborne drop of American and British units across the Rhine River. Two missions were flown by my 91st BG in support of the operation. On the first mission the full group attacked the airfield at Vechta visually. Results were good and there was no flak in the target area.
The second mission of the day saw one squadron bomb the airfield at Twente/Enscheden. Once more bombing was done visually with excellent results.
Quoted From The Book:
“The story from this book I will quote called, "Operation Varsity" was listed by name Ellis B. Scripture Group and Air Division Navigator. Mr. Scripture fortunately was able to fly lead navigator for the 95th BG on each of the BG 100th mission, 200th mission and 300th mission. With the 300th mission scheduled to fly a diversionary mission on March 21, 1945 to Handorf, Germany which did not promise much.”
The mission for March 24, 1945, Scripture ask General Earle Partridge Third Air Division commander for permission to fly as navigator in the B-17 that would lead the paratroopers across the Rhine River to their dropping zones. Permission was granted. On March 24, 1945 he says we met the stream of C-47 Dakota troop carrying aircraft North of Paris and headed for the drop zone. They were to lead them across the Rhine River at 1000 hours, at 500 feet altitude, air speed at 120 knots, arriving at the assigned target, on time, at 500 feet.
The weather was a beautiful Spring morning and as we led them to the middle of the Rhine River then flew back across the river three miles away to watch the stream of planes as they came through. First were the paratroops, then the gliders towed by Stirling bombers and C-47's. The scene was awesome knowing we were pouring tens of thousands of troops across the final barrier to the Fatherland the beginning of the end to Hitler's, Germany.
The records reveal that the stream of Allied aircraft on that memorable day consisted of 1,696 transport planes, 1,348 gliders, and 889 fighters for escort purposes. An additional 2,153 combat airplanes participated in this operation, silencing and suppressing the German defenses in the drop zones. In addition to these, another 2,596 heavy bombers and 821 medium bombers were attacking strategic targets in Germany. A total of 9,503 aircraft graphically demonstrated the truly overwhelming superiority of Allied air power at that stage of the war.
Our 95th BG B-17 circled for two hours at low altitude while we took photographs and watched the action. It was a stunning and amazing sight to see the great number of aircraft assigned to this one operation.
One thing stands out in memory of this day. We took photo's of several C-47's crashing soon after they'd recrossed the Rhine and headed back to friendly territory. We counted eighteen C-47's that turned after dropping their paratroopers, crossed the river and a few seconds later literally explode in mid-air. At that low altitude of course, the pilots had no chance of bailing out.
These extraordinary incidents were photographed and discussed when we got back to our base in England but we never did file a formal mission report.
Operation Varsity
By Marion Hoffman
U.S. Legacies: October 2004
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