Operation Varsity: The British and Canadian Airborne Crossing

Operation Varsity: The British and Canadian Airborne Crossing of the Rhine (Battleground The Rhine Crossing)

In Spring 1945 the outcome of the war was ritually certain but the mighty River Rhine still stood in the way of the Allies. Eisenhowerâ€™s strategy was to guarantee a crossing in the Ruhr area by allocating the main effort to Montgomeryâ€™s 21st Army Group. Montyâ€™s task was to envelope and take out the last German war production and open the way onto the North German Plain.

On the morning of 24 March 1945 the Normandy veterans of 6th British Airborne Division were to land just three to six miles in front of XII Corps, within supporting distance of their artillery, with the aim of linking up with the ground forces on day one. First in were the two parachute brigades, who benefited from the numbing effect of the Allied bombardment but by the time 6th Airlanding Brigade came in aboard their gliders, the German anti-aircraft gunners were recovering and, on the DZs, resisting and even counter-attacking the British and Canadian paratroopers.

Casualties were heavy, not least because the Airlanding Brigade were gliding in amidst an Armoured kampfgruppe. Despite their presence, the glider infantry of the Ox and Bucks and the Ulster Rifles took their bridges and the Devons fought a desperate battle for the key village of Hammelkeln.

By evening, despite heavy losses, General Bolsâ€™s 6th Airborne Division had linked-up with XII Corps, the airborne objectives had been taken and the gateway onto the North German Plain and final victory was open.

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Country USA
Brand Pen and Sword Aviation
Manufacturer Pen and Sword Aviation
Binding Paperback
ReleaseDate 2008-07-22
UnitCount 1
EANs 9781844156016

Country	USA
Brand	Pen and Sword Aviation
Manufacturer	Pen and Sword Aviation
Binding	Paperback
ReleaseDate	2008-07-22
UnitCount	1
EANs	9781844156016

Operation Varsity: The British and Canadian Airborne Crossing of the Rhine (Battleground The Rhine Crossing)

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