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Operation Varsity (ePub)

The British & Canadian Airborne Assault

Military > Battlefield Guidebooks > WWII Battlefield Guides WWII

By Tim Saunders
Imprint: Pen & Sword Battleground
Series: Battleground: WWII
File Size: 124.7 MB (.epub)
Pages: 192
Illustrations: 120 black and white
ISBN: 9781783460809
Published: 20th September 2007

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In Spring 1945 the outcome of the war was ritually certain but the mighty River Rhine still stood in the way of the Allies. Eisenhower's strategy was to guarantee a crossing in the Ruhr area by allocating the main effort to Montgomery's 21st Army Group. Monty'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 Bols'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.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

These books offer a sound basis for anything from a large-scale operation to a medium-sized skirmish: highly recommended.

Miniature Wargames, February 2019 – reviewed by Chris Jarvis

From Pen and Sword's acclaimed Battleground series of books comes this latest title. This is the third Battleground title which focuses on the Rhine Crossings. It covers the airborne aspects of the operation focussing on the British 6th Airborne Division. The airborne plan incorporated virtually every lesson of the disaster that befell the 6th Airborne Division at Arnhem. Special praise must go to this titles fantastic level of detail. Also accompanied by evocative wartime photographs.

Pegasus> Yearbook 2010

lives up to the expectations set by its predecessors

Britain at War - September 2008

About Tim Saunders

TIM SAUNDERS served as an infantry officer with the British Army for thirty years, during which time he took the opportunity to visit campaigns far and wide, from ancient to modern. Since leaving the Army he has become a full time military historian and has made nearly fifty full documentary films with Battlefield History and Pen & Sword. He is an active guide and accredited member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides.

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