Operation Varsity

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Operation Varsity was an airborne operation towards the end of World War II, intended to gain a foothold across the River Rhine in western Germany as a part of Operation Plunder. It involved two divisions and 1,700 transport aircraft.

The operation took place on 24 March 1945 and involved the British 6th Airborne Division and the US 17th Airborne Division. The US 82nd Airborne Division had originally been scheduled to participate in the jump as well until a shortage of transport aircraft forced the use of just two divisions.

The operation saw the first use of the C-46 Commando transport aircraft operating with the reliable C-47 Skytrain of previous airborne operations.

1 Order of battle
- 1.1 Units
- 1.2 Aircraft
2 Outcome
- 2.1 Objectives
- 2.2 Casualties
3 External links

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Order of battle

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Units

British 6th Airborne Division
- 6 Parachute Battalions, 5 British, 1 Canadian
- Air Landing Brigade
US 17th Airborne Division
- 6 parachute battalions
Glider Pilot Regiment

(included many RAF pilots drafted for mission)

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Aircraft

C-47 Skytrain ("Dakota"): 540
Gliders: 1,300
- Airspeed Horsa :392
- General Aircraft Hamilcar: 14
- Waco/Hadrian

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Outcome

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Objectives

All objectives for the brigade had been achieved in 24 hours; the bridges over the river were secured and the village of Hamminkeln, near Wesel. The division was joined by ground forces of the 21st Army Group.

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Casualties

After the first day 1,078 men of the 6th Airborne Division had been either killed or wounded.
50 aircraft and 11 gliders shot down.
60% of glider pilots killed were RAF "draftees"

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