My uncle was KIA during Varsity. 139th Engineer batt, 17th Airborne. Thank you for recognizing this operation along with the lesser kn own, but still important units
Thank you, this was a treat. I have always seen Varsity and Veritable as one "battle blob" in my head, more or less wrapping up WW2 in the European theatre, crossing the Rhine to broaden up the front, and this podcast really added some other perspective, and a motivation to have a closer look at particularly Varsity. And JD, it was a pleasure to see this other side of yours, it may have been the first time I've seen you laugh, and interact with others this way, and it is appreciated. Thanks again, keep up the excellent work!
My father-in-law was a glider pilot in that operation. We had his survival kit from that mission for many years before a hurricane destroyed it. He put a little note in it stating, mission over the Rhine, March 24, 1945. The flak is what gave him nightmares for many years. It was his second combat glider mission, which market garden was the first. He flew in the 303rd Troup Carrier Squadron
I'm so happy that Varsity is getting the attention it should, and so near the anniversary to boot! Love the passion that you have for history and spreading the knowledge as well as linking up with others in the field such as Mr Fenlon. You are a true gem, please don't stop doing what you do.
As usual, outstanding work JD. I for 1 knew nothing of Varsity, its objectives, its cross allie anomalies. James delivered a brilliant presentation even as you say, just scratching the surface. His book is on my list, it is certainly a topic of our group meetings and conversation. Brilliant, brilliant work.
Great book!! Highly recommend it. Great interview as well J.D. !! I was hoping you would bring up the change that was made to the infamous "leg bag" that was a total failure on Overlord and Market Garden. They made several changes to it and by the time Op Varsity came along it had been perfected quite a bit.
One additional book is “The Last Drop” which covers Operation Varsity. I bought it a few years ago but haven’t read it yet so cannot recommend it or criticize it. But this episode has renewed my interest.
7:51 very kind of you, thank you. The book was a labour of love for the veterans of this operation whose stories had largely remained in the shadows. It was a privilege and honour to talk to quite a number and humbling to receive their gratitude.
JD, didn't they write in this Jump / Airborne Assault, as Capt Nixon joined the 17th Airborne for the jump. There's a scene "Nix" gets dropped off back in Easy Co's company area, and everyone wanted to know why he was in his jump gear. Then he and Dick Winters had conversation about his drinking as he walks around the place he and Winters were "Quarted" empty vat 69 bottles, Nixon starts talking about the Soldiers he had been working with, and about their plane being shot down, and all of them killed. I believe that was the jump he was for some reason included in. It was that conversation that Major Winters told Nixon he was demoted and fired from being the Intelligence Officer at Regiment, and back to 2nd Battalion. I've done a ton of reading, and it was pretty much known that Capt Nixon was a fantastic Intelligence Officer, but he was also a huge alcoholic. Another great segment JD. I think it's pretty cool as I see you use your platform to help others trying to break in with books like this guy has done, bringing attention to their channels or books. It's a very humble action on your part, and is why I always tell people I know, and encounter who has interest, especially on Easy Co and the Band of Brothers, I send them to the History Underground, hours of great material, commercial free. Great work JD.🇺🇸SF
thought the same thing about Nixon in BoB, wondering if that was supposed to be Operation Varsity. probably so. "only the best for Mrs. Nixon's baby boy."
It annoys me greatly that Varsity is overlooked by most, my dad’s bn ended up at Wismar on the Baltic coast and met up with the Russian army, 300 miles on foot. We were due to jump on the 75th anniversary of Varsity, with Pathfinder parachute group. Everything was in place, ferries booked, hotel booked, C47 and Notams in place, jumps paid for and waiting for March. Then covid hit and everything was cancelled. To say we were disappointed is an understatement
My father was with the Royal Ulster Rifles and was flown in by Horsa Glider at age 18. He survived the drop and was shot 3 weeks later and came home to marry our mother. He was our hero and was a beautiful man.
I'll take jumping out of a plane over landing in a glider everytime. BTW, one comment in the chat asked what AGL is: above ground level. One of the main lessons learned from Normandy and Market Garden is that you need to jump with all your personal equipment and weapon, being able to fight and not have to worry about a bundle drop. Didn't Pathfinders jump ahead to mark the DZs?
I read an article that indicated several BoB actors are currently doing real jump training at Toccoa.... for a real jump into Normandy as part of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
the german name for the fortress notion Hitler used often, is "festung". It basically meant the no retreat was allowed and that they had to fight to the last bullet. Festung means fortress
Been doing some research on my Late Uncle John Henry Hodgson who was a paratrooper dropped in at DDay don't know if he participated in this operation. Have some great photos of that, however I wonder if any of your viewers could help us out, after the war he lived in Rhodesia and tested the 1st steerable parachute there and did loads of early free fall. I have come across a message from 82nd Airborne. As follows. Re your letter in the current issue of Flying Magazine - - why don't you write: Office of Commanding General 82nd Airborne Division Fort Bragg, North Carolina. I've been a military pilot from 15 years and worked some with these boys in 1951-52 Good Scouts . Best- - W.R. Koger(capt.coloag) I can't find the flying magazine issue over in England t would be awesome to find out his letter or if indeed he did write . I can send you a copy if need.
according to the law of land warfare, and the geneva convention, and conventions of the time, shooting at paratroopers as they descend is not a war crime. they are combatants coming to fight. they are fair game. as opposed to pilots who have been shot down and bailed out. you can easily tell the two apart. pilots usually come down by themselves. paratroopers will be in a mass drops of hundreds/thousands. it's not very sporting, but it isn't "illegal."
I have over 100 static line jumps from my time in the Army. Both left door and right door on C-130s and C-141s (dating myself). NTM Blackhawk and Hueys. "retraining" to jump out and opposite door is overblown. It takes half a second to figure it out.
I've never jumped so can't comment myself but there are certainly quotes from participants that mention significant concerns about it. Also, it's a matter of what you can easily do in training versus what happens when you are in a combat situation.
