A time for heroes
Essex Life|March 2020
Essex airfields played a vital role in the Allies’ ultimate victory during World War II, but here Stephen L Wright reveals the rarely told tale of Operation Varsity and the Glider Pilot Regiment
Stephen L Wright
A time for heroes

As March 1945 dawned, the remnants of the German forces which had received a sustained mauling from their Allied opponents found themselves with their backs to the Rhine. A heavy rainstorm on March 10 gave them the cover they needed to cross to the other bank, blowing the bridge behind them.

Allied plans for an operation to land in the heart of Germany had been mooted in the previous November with an execution date for January. The Ardennes Offensive had put this on hold. Now, the time was ripe. Analysis showed that there were enough open spaces for Drop Zones and Landing Zones. The code name for the operation was Varsity and the British 6th and the US 17th Airborne Divisions, refitted and reinforced after the Ardennes Campaign, were assigned.

Travelling from France, the 17th would take and hold the environs of the town of Wesel while the 6th would do the same for the Schnepfenberg, a high feature, topped by the Diersfordter Wald and the outskirts of the village of Hamminkeln.

In Essex, airfields at Chipping Ongar, Boreham and Wethersfield became home to 6th Airborne’s paratroop units. They would be carried by aircraft of the US 9th Troop Carrier Command.

Meanwhile the squadrons of the Glider Pilot Regiment (GPR), with their Horsa gliders, moved onto airfields at Birch, Earls Colne, Gosfield, Great Dunmow, Matching and Rivenhall. The GPR comprised of soldiers who had volunteered for this unique unit and had successfully passed a rigorous selection process.

In September 1944 the GPR took great losses in the battle for Arnhem. With no time to train soldiers, RAF pilots were brought in. Together with their Army colleagues they would fly gliders loaded with 6th Airborne’s vehicles, guns and tanks and the men of the Airlanding Brigade.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 2020 من Essex Life.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 2020 من Essex Life.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من ESSEX LIFE مشاهدة الكل
The rise of maskne
Essex Life

The rise of maskne

With the term ‘maskne’ becoming an increasingly common search online and on social media, Krystal Prince explains what it is and how you can control mask-induced acne

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
The forgotten lady
Essex Life

The forgotten lady

Charlotte Christie shares the life story of Anne Knight, an Essex pioneer for the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage who’s achievements have almost been air-brushed from history

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
Stride out in the Sampfords
Essex Life

Stride out in the Sampfords

This charming, circular winter walk takes you on a tour from the village of Great Sampford to its neighbour, Little Sampford, and back again

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
MUCH TO TALK ABOUT
Essex Life

MUCH TO TALK ABOUT

As a presenter on Sky Music and the host of two TV talk shows of her own on Gidea Park-based Sky channel Spotlight TV, Hayley Palmer is never short of words. Nicky Adams asks her how she came to be in front of the camera

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
LIFE and SOUL
Essex Life

LIFE and SOUL

Radio 1 broadcaster and producer Charlie Hedges began her career as Britain’s youngest breakfast show host and is now one of the world’s most successful female DJs. Denise Marshall caught up with the Essex-based queen of the air waves

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
Lest we forget
Essex Life

Lest we forget

Remembrance Sunday will have a special poignance this month as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Stephen Roberts profiles how much the county of Essex contributed to the war effort and how much it cost

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
Lakeside Magic
Essex Life

Lakeside Magic

The Lake House, nestled in Mill End on the outskirts of the village of Bradwell on Sea, has been owned by the same family for 60 years and was once a thriving four-buoy water-ski lake.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2020
Keep on running
Essex Life

Keep on running

BBC presenter and director David Whiteley shares his insightful view on stories from across the county of Essex

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
Cheers!
Essex Life

Cheers!

Starting to get that festive vibe? Why not plan ahead by selecting not only the drinks you want to serve this Christmas, but also ticking off a few presents too?

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020
A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden
Essex Life

A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden

Join Ernie, the county’s most famous Westie, as he steps back in time on a trip to this medieval market town

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020