wwii 18th army airborne corps

8/9/2019 WWII 18th Army Airborne Corps

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HEADQUARTERS XVII! CORPS (AIRBOENE), O f f i c e o f ~ h e CorEs '0", ",:: r ' l , \ : ~ I : F ' ,IE"',D,:,\PO 109" U. U ';i .., ,'1 ;.,. \ , , , , ' , , , " , , , ,';, ", ' ~ i J U " ~ ' U U ' ' ~ , ~ " ::, J

SUII1IARY OF GROwn FORCES PARTICIPATION INOPERATION "VARSITY" '25 April 1945

g E ~ T E R A L 1. On or abcut 09 February 1 9 1 ~ 5 , while s t i l l engaged in the ROER River area north of SCm-EIDT, I ,received from the

SUPREHE' C O M ] \ ~ A N D E R , in person, my f i rs t instructions concerning th is operation. He informed me that the XVIII Corps (Airborne) would successively command a three-airborne divisionoperation east of the REINE, in support of the 21st ArmyGroup; would be promptly withdrawn; and shortly thereafter atwo-airborne division operation, lilcewise east of the RHINE,in suppqrt of the 12th Army Group.2. The Corps was withdrawn from the SCHllIDT area, 13 Feb

ruary, returned to base a t EPERNAY, FRANCE, and, in accordance, wi th d i r ~ c t i v e s from FIRST ALLIED AIRBORNE ARMY, began planning ..for nVARSITYu, under planning , c o n t ~ c l of the 21st Army Group.PLANUING

3. 21st Army Group directed the operation1,{quld be in


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(summa.ry 'or Ground F o r c ~ :' "Participation in , Opert\.tion "Varsity",Con t inued. ) , :...., f.:' ... '" " , ' ,, : ~ J ; : ~ : : " "'f,j; :.,,;-,;","::;. ,I

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( Summary of Ground Forces pcl'rticipation in Operation nVnrsi tY"jContinued. ) y\

captured or destroyed Clnd AA pieces and 26 tanks.The withdrawal of the Corps: on Df6 lliad8 i t impossible to getful l reports from the divis ions . I t is believed tho.t theamount of mnteri81 cnptured and destroyed grea t ly exceeds theabove f igures . CONCLUSIONS

13. p.. Concept und p l t : ~ n n i l 1 g were sound o.nd thorough, andexecutionflttVf1f;;ss.b. ,The impact of tl1e ''b.irborne divis i0J;ls, a t one blow,

cOIn:p'letelY,shD:ttered t h e h o , ~ t i l b d e f e n s e , permit t ing promptlinlf-'Up with the assaul t ipgXII Corps, the 1st Commando, BrigD.de,and the NINTH ARMY on ,the south.c. Thernpid de


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- - . . '.0 (.. . 0 t: A U ~ C'orps: (Abn)RNE) : In i t : ' : ' ; ~ ' ~ ' ; J< d ~ ! :Date: 25 Apr 45 0.1100 0$ . . . . . . . ..O.QO.25 April 1942

/>. ....REPORT ON OPERATION VAR,SITY .'

1. PLANNING PHASE:a. Headquarters/XVIII Corps(Arbbrne). was at ZlI\7EIFALL, GERMANYpreparing plans to cross ROER River when Major General M. B.' RIDGWAY receivedord.ers, to :report for conferenc(S 9 February 1945 with Commander-In-Chief,TiNENTY-FIRST ARMY GROUP. At th is conference the XVIII Corps (Airborne) wasalerted for Operation VARSITY, an airborne operation in conjunction with thecrossing of RHINE River, by SECOND BRITISH ARMY, with date to be' 31 March 1945.The Corps was relieved from FIRST U.S. ARMY and proceeded to'ba.se in EPERN'Nr,FRANCE, c ~ o s i n g there 14 February 1945. ' ' . :', . '

" . . ;, I. h ~ 'The 6th British Air'borqe Division, 17th U .8. ' ,Airborne "Divisionand 13th U .8 . Air.borne Divis ion : w ~ r e assigned for the airborne o p ' e T a t i o n ~ 'The. 6th B r i t i s ~ Airborne Division moved to ENGLAND from FRANCE for training andpreparation for departure from airdromes in the UNITED KINGDOM.' The 17thU.8 . "Air};>orne Division was withdrawn .:frorncornbat in the ARDENNES Area andclosed in the vicinity of CHALONS, FRANCE on 14 February 1945 for reorgani....zation, reequipping and, training. VARSITY was to be th e f i r s t , combat' ai r-borne o p e r . a t ~ o n of the 17thU .8. Airborne Division. The 13th U . S ~ AirborneDivision haC! rec'ently arrived on th e continent am was reorganized' under newTlo & E. I t had not b e ~ n iri combat This d i v i ~ i o n was releass'd from Operation V A ~ S I ' r Y ; ' o n 8.March 1945. ' ' . : .

c. , Du,r ing t he planning Pl1ase .(lumerous conference s were held to "button Up,f the m u l t i t u ~ e of detai ls ,a s ra pre-requisite ,to, t.he successful
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,:" ,....._c .';., . .b"l)ay -0200 - 12th Brit ish Cor ps launch assault erossing of

R H ~ N E North of V ~ S E L with 15th (Scottish) Division; seize BISLICH (Al443) a ~ advance on BOCHOL't. ( A ~ 2 6 0 , . arid BqRKEN' ( A 3 9 6 ~ ) .

. ~ . . .: ( . ~ 1000 - (P:,ij.our) - 6 t h I;1ritish Airborne Division and 17thU ~ ~ , A ~ r 9 0 r n e . Divisioh begin s i m ~ l t a n e o u s dropsin ' the area Northwe st of WESEL indicated on SketchNo. 1 , attached. Drops and l a n d i n g s t ~ be com-..pleted by.,l145, 'n pay. ,See' Paragraph 2, "Plan ofCommanding General,'.XVIII Corps (Airborne)ft' for:' .

furthardetai ls of in i t i a l mission 'and subsequent,.' emplO;yrrlentof, airborne. units to exploit the bt'idge. head. . . , ' ; , . .,.. , .,. .' ,,,11309 -:. 'Resupply by air e"

2. PLAN OF COMMANDING : ~ E N E R A L t 'XvIII C ~ R P S \{AIRBORNE2: (SketohN,o. 1)a. Mfssion XVIII C"drps> ( A ~ ; b o r n e ) : To disrupt t h ~ ' hbstt le ' d e r ~ h s e o f the RHINE NQrth 'pf: WESEL by seizure of key t e r ra in by airborne attack inorder to rapidlY deepen bridgehead, fac i l i ta te crossing by SECOND BRITISH ARMYand link-up with. NINTHU .S.ARMY; then be prapared fo r further offensive actio]eastwal'd' on SECOND BRITISH ARMY Order. .. . . ". -. .. ,

.. b, Ini t ia l Mission .6th Er i t l sh Airborne Di\71sion; TO drop duringdaylight, 24 March 1945, beginning a tp HoUr;' seize, clear and seclire"t,he Divi..sion A r e . ~ w i t h p f ~ o r i t y to the high ground in the general area (160475 ~ , 163468 - .170461), the town of HA?J}lMINKELN, and th bridges over the ISSEL"Rive'X'at (218497) and (222485);. protect the lef t (North) flank of theoCorps; establ i s \ 1 c o n t ~ c t with the 1Zth B r . ~ t i s h C o r p s , and the 17th'U It'S. "Airborne Division .Ob.;ectives to beheld a t a l l costs.- . ,: .

c. In i t i a l Mission 17th U.S.Airborne Division: To drop during day-l ight ;,24March 1945, beginning at p Hour; ser;;e;,clear-and seCure the Divi.'sion A ~ e a "with hl'riQrity to t ~ high ground East of DIERSFORDT' in the general


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Hq XVIIIeo:r:ps (Air bar ne ) , dat ed 25 Apr i1 1945.Deputy Commander, iVltI' C ~ r ' p s (Airbdrne) ' , - 'Major General RICHARD N dALE; DBa, aBE, Me,. General Officer, C o m m a ~ d . j n g , 1st ,J?ritish"'A1.rb0r.ne qorps'"General Officer Commanding, 8th Brit ish Corps. Lieutenant General < E V E L ~ H.' BARKER, CB, CEE, 'DSa,: MGG'eneral, Officer C o m m a n d i t ~ , ; 12th Br i t ish CorpsLieutenaht General N J t I ~ R I ! C H ~ , CBCommanding Generql , 8th 'Bomber COtr.inand' (B",,2h Re:supply),Ma.ior General FREDERICK L. ANDERSONCommanding General, IX Troop C a r r 1 ~ r " G 6 ~ a r i ~ , 'Ma jor 'General PAUL l.. 'WILLIAMS;' ,',, .Commanding General, 17th U.SAirborne Division',' Ma ior General W I L L I A ~ 1 M.' MILEY ,General Officer Commanding, 6th Br i t ish Airborne 'bivisionMajor 'General ERIOL. , BOLS, DSO .General Officer' Commanding, .6th 'Guards ArmQred BrigadeBr igadie r W. D. Cr. GREENACRE, MVOGeneral Officer Commanding, 1st Commando' B!'igade, BrigadierDERCK M ~ L L S - R O B E R T S , Ds6, Me - I r i s ~ ' G u a r d s ~ Off1.ce!' C011"manding,. SAS Ground Force "


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b" ,25 March 1942:, (Sketch No.3) ,'. - l .. .'..... '.;.: ' . . . .\'-\

, ',' X v I I I C 6 ~ p ~ ( A i r b o l " r t e ) a s ' ~ u r n e d ':e6:tit'rol 1st C Q m f u a n d o : B r i ~ d e ' ~ ~ a t 0930, (which' was confirmedlatep'byHe!ldq'uarters, SECOND BR'ITISH A . ~ i Y ) " 4 and": i t was . ~ t t a c h e d to ~ 7 t h U ~ S A i r b o r n e , P J ~ i . s i o n . WESEL was not completely clearat o'pen?-ng : o ~ ' , t , h , i ~ . p e r ; L o ~ , . ... :"j .. ' ':', :' . ' , ' .\.. .. :. 4 ., , 1 I ' .. . _.... ,; '

, ~ , ~ . \ ,"'17t'l{u .S'. A i X b b r n e ' D i ~ i s 1 o ~ ! i a u n ~ h ' e d an attack ''With' 1 9 4 t h : ' G i i ~ c J ~ r Inrantrt,'t3.i;1d! 507th Parachute' Irifantry:"at,";l500toseize .Ph&se Line': ~ ' o ~ p ' 6 N . , , : , , the194th Glider lnran,try reporte,d o n ~ t ' s ' obJectives by 1?09; r e s i : s ~ a t i c e " , 9 1 a : s " ~ j . f i e d .as' + ( i g h ~ with no 'enemy ar t i l le ry or' I h d r t a ~ f i r ~ e h c o u n t E : ? r e d , ~ 5 d 7 ~ ' h : - P a r , a ~ l : l . u t e Infaptrt w i ~ h s t i f fer resistance, i n ' / v i c ~ r y i t ' y of WESEL had 'tw.o (2)".!:;rmatiou" and boundaries as 'pla'nned'" prvious1y (see Sketch No. lY at 6900,'26 March 1945;' 3d P a : r a c h u t e B r ~ g a d ; e ' j 6 t h B:r;'itiish AirboFne ... Divis:Lon in . ~ o r ~ : ; J ~ e s e r v e .

844 P-oWc. 26 March 1945; ( S k e t ~ h ~ o 4)

"'6th 'Bri tis'n :Airborne Divisi"on and 17th U.S. Airborne Division a t -tacked as planned and. s.ecured al1ob,jectives on Phase Line NEW YORK, Resist-. ance classifieO as l ight along the entire fr 'ont . 'Onl:v ,two( 2} counterattacksreported up t"o thiis t:tmeeach of about company strength',.'


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REPORT ON OPERATION VARSITY, Hq, XVIII Corps

d. 27. March 1945: (Sketch No. 5)During the night 26 -. 27 March 1945', '6th Br'it ish ,Airborne Divisionsent patrols ~ far out as Pha,se l,inePAR,IS J and uponf:inding no' ' resistancequickly pushed two (2) batt8:1ions for'ward so that by daylight they ,were,on that

line.. The Corps Commander issue.d instructiO,ns to.,disregard Phase Line 'PARISand to advance aggressively on the ' l ine DORSTEN .,.. 1 ~ U L F E N (5047) - LEMBECK (4951),with part icular attention to bridges on the LIPPE River. Units were instructedto push the attack re lent lessly ,day and night in order to obtain maximum exploitat ion 'withminimum delay'. ' ' . '

The 6th GuArd S Armored Br igade was delaYE?d cro ssing the, RHINEbridges, but with 513th Parachute I,rifaritrj", ( l ess one (1) ' b a t ~ ' a 1 i o n ) att'ached,it attacked at 1500 and passed thr6ugh ' leading ' e l e m e n t ~ of 17th U.S. Airborne

'Division dur ingthe 'n ight ': ' , ; . ' ' ",r ' - '," " , 'Despite st ' i ff resistance in the Forest WESEL Area, gains up to nine thousand (9 ,Oob) yards ~ e r e ' ~ a ? e ' in ' the porpsZone. : .": , ; " . ' . XVIII 'Corps (Airborne) b . o ~ a ' n d 'Post: 'dperted .at:15'OO' ' : a ~ ; . ? ~ 5 4 : ? 7 ~ " North of WESEL. i

493 POWe . 28' March 1945: (Sketch No.6)

".", ... 6th Guard's Armored Brigade, (reinforced by5l3thParachute Infantry)entered ,DORS:rEN a;t, . o ~ O O , and a t 1230, 28 March 1945, orQl erder gwere i s s ~ e d by Corps Comman??:r',to advance rapidly on the axis HALTERN (6249) -DUL1!.{EN(6859) - MUNSTER (9273). Resistanc'e atLIPPRAMSDORF (5546) consisting priri:....


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! 29 . 'March,'1.94 5 ( ~ ~ i e t c q j , N p ' ~ ; 6 ) " " ,_ ' , " 'Y ' , ; ,r " ' , , , ', , } . , . . , .. " ..... I'

, ..... .. '. "", . , " 6 t h , G u a r . ~ ~ : A r m o r e d ~ ' 1 3 r i ' g a d ~ ' . r i e i n f o r c e d , re l ie vedl in HAtTERN' \asby ; o 7 ~ h : : , ~ a ~ ~ e h u . t , e ~ , I , l } f , ~ t , r r p r ~ P i ~ , ~ ~ : t 1 ~ ~ + ~ ~ h t and.coritinued. ~ c l v , a n l ~ ~ } ~ ' ~ p ~ u r ing' D U ~ b y l . ~ O O ' . F u : r t h e ~ ' i ~ a v ~ l 1 C ~ ' : ' V l ~ s < ~ l o e k e d " " b y : : ; e ~ t e n s i v . ~ r u ~ b . l e ~ : ~ : } . . n ~ , : ~ ~ W ? , ~ t s , . " , antl 'm a r ' s h y g ~ o u n d ' ) on ' p u t s k ~ r t : s L i 9 . f " i C ~ ~ ~ ' ; ; ~ f ~ ' ~ ~ ' . i n ' e e r ' f a c i + ~ t , ~ e ' s . ; , ' : w ( ? r ~ " P ! i ~ ~ * ~ ~ f 6 , f ~ : 'ward,tocleat ,path. By' 1900' p l 1 ~ ' ; ~ w e r e : ~ b r n p l e t e . , t o c o n t ~ l ' l U ~ ~ a ' V ; ~ n c ~ :J:);ight:,:, ,., .",,29 - 30 M a r c h 1 , 9 4 5 t o l i U ~ ' ~ J I t 6 3 ) . , w h ~ c h , ' W a 8 o e c u p i e d a t ' ; Q 5 0 5 . j :Wl,larch'W45., 194th Glidef I r U ' ~ r ~ ~ ~ o n t i ~ u e d ' i n o v l l b; 1llPtor'; ' ~ t t i e , t J ~ ~ ~ ~

" .17th U.s. A f r ~ ~ i l ~ ; " ~ ~ ' i ~ i O I 1 ; H ~ a d q u a r t e r ~ ; ; ~ n d P i i l k 9'1'" a ' i ; ~ ; S i O h ' , ,troops assembled in v ~ p i n i t Y 9 f : ' : ' H A L ' l ' E ' I i N . " , ', '., " . '.' '''.'. . , '.. ' , , " . t , : ' : , , ' ... ~ ; : : i


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REPOR'1' ON OPERATION VARS'ITY, Hq) XV!II Cor'ps (Airporne),

c . Based on the above 'timaite,,'resupoly by air , scheduled fo r trplusl/l was cancelled. . . i, '','d.. The flow. of t ra f f ic ; o . v e r ~ the, bridges t hereafter proceeded atsuch a rate that by the .morning ( ) f n p l u ~ A each airborne division had under

i ts .cG.."ltrol on the East bank of tJ16 r i v e ~ , a l l of i t s organic and attachedtransportation and a minimum 0& five (:5),i.da:v-s o f supply. !>This, in effect , marked the end oft.pe build, up.and thE?reafter supply proceeded in the normal ..f a s h i d n ~ ' '.';.

":.":,-:",' . ~ ~ '. Ca:sualties may be classified C1.$ fqllows:

(1) Those' casu,alties held, by d i v i s i o n s ~ " '0-(2) Those' casualt ie? held.. 'by holding units established on , t h e ~ .. . East bank of' the, r . i v e r ~ .{.3) Those ca,sualt.ies held by , f ieidand evacuation hospitals,e s ~ a b 1 i s h e d about five (5) miles to t he west of the river.f The holding 'unit on the East bank of the ri 'ver, including a few

a m b u l a n c e ' $ , ~ was established on D Day. Evacuation from th is pointtc) .an am:-.bu:Lancecollec.ting poip:ton the' We,at, 'si.oe, o f ' t h e ~ i v e r was mads'byDUKiN ~ n d . froin ther;8' to the f ie ld or evac.uatiilnhof3pitals by ambulance. Evacuation .fromthe, divisions to th e holding u . n i t ~ was. 1 by, ,n j.eepttJ. ambulances belongmg to ,thedivi:sions"$t!pplernented byt'he. ambulance.:s.. ,:of ~ ' l : t e . holding uni t . L o , ~ c t ~ d a.,rn-bulances w e r ~ ' g i v e n , p t ' iority. across b > r , i d g e ~ " C \ ~ d . as ' suff icient br.i,dg.es .were i n s ta l led , evacuation was made direct from the East bank holding unit to theh6s 'pi ta ls ,ancl la ter , direct from the d i v ~ s ions "to the h o s p i t a ~ s . , ,

6. "AIRINCIlJDING TRANSPORT, ANi) RESUPPLY:.;;;;,;;;;;,;-::;;.;..;.--... ' . . .. - .'. .


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. ',. , . . ' ; A , ~ ~ : ~ : g l i d ~ r s ' to the landitrg. 'ZD ne.sof the 6th Br.it ish Airborne D i v ' i ~ i o n . .--ml'>''7.-''''''-'T-.rt7t::yTro9P CarrierCoUlmq,rrd..:to'wed nine hundredandsi:x, (906) CG 4Agl iders , five'hundre,d .and ninety..:..two (592) o ~ wbichwere double-towed by C - 4 7 ~ . a i r . 9 r a f t . Seventeen (17}.airf.ieldswere .u'sed bythe.IX Troop Carrier; Commanq and eight{8}by : the38th and 46th RAF GrOl.;tps,.in launching this operation . Three. (3)..aiTfields were.:uss'd by ths8 : thAir ,Force B.-24 , s fo r resupply. '

f . Immediately following the glider landings, a 'resupply mission offive .hundred .anq fortY' (540) tons was delivered by B-24 type aircraf t of the8th Air Force employing a t.otal of 'two hunored and ;forty. (240) aircraft .. g.. During the airborne ,deliv.ery and . theresupply delivery continuousprotection was afforded the aircraf t o f t he IX Troop Carrier Command and the8th Air Force by the 8th Air Force, the 9th Air Forye, the Fighter Command andthe' 2d Tactical Air Force. .The losses of the IX Troop Carrier Command a re re -porte,o to have approximated f i f ty (50) C-47 and C ~ , 6 t y p e aircraf t . Glider10 sse s from ant ia i rcraft fire are known to have been very l igh t . B-24 los,seswere reported to have been approximately twenty (20).

, h. Just prior


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flEDthe Landing Zones would' no.t be pitt,6Q bi s i : t e . i i . h O l ~ r > ~ .' W 9 r k . ~ ' i c ~ O ' ! , t h e ';:;itthorough 8t)d . p a i n s t a k i r i g m a t J ~ e r l ~ t h Br.it,ish' Gorps D Q ; R j L p r . 9 d u c e r l ~ ~ ' 9 ; , " . m o . , $ t f;3X-cellent. fire pIan,admirably: ' e J < ~ c u t e c 1 ~ .. ~ T h e e ' ~ a 9 t ' C ; d m p 9 ~ ~ , ~ ~ i 9 , n . . ~ , 6 i ; ~ ' ' ~ n f 3 : 9 . J ; ' 1 t i l l e r y massed for the, delivery of the' , p r e p ' a ~ a t ' ~ ' o , n ' , r i i , a y , be' f o ~ p ~ > J ; t . l ; ~ , h : " l U ' ~ ' ; t f l ~ ~ Report.I t is sufficient, 'to record here ' thatl ig.ht , )ne.dium,;,; al1d p . e a ' V y . c , ~ . l i p ; e r s , : ~ , . c r o w d e d each othet.'to: the ' r iver Dank a ~ l n ( f ' s ~ ' e r : / p i ~ c e . ' hC3,d, "its s e ~ . e r 9 J .. h u n d , ~ < e c r ~ ; t . t o u n d s ofammunition: 'dumped chard bi.:','" 'The' g e r i e ! . a l ' ~ f f e c t : t v e r i e , s s , q f , t ) l e , b o r u b ' ~ d ! l l 9 n ~ ' isr e v e ~ l e d ' by the answers o:rtlle d ~ a z ' e d .'pr:l,soh!7;r;s, 'of, D' Day" ~ ~ ~ 9 , : . ~ h e n : , q 4 e s ~ iQnedas to why they surrendered, ~ 'oIte'n ~ r e p 1 i e ~ : . u.It,' iN{3.,S t o \ ? r r \ ~ c l ; , ; " it" ,w.as,:tnorethan I could st'and ll As-to' the'eff 'ective'ness ' b f ' t l f ~ ~ c o ~ r i t e r ~ f l a . k , ; f i r " e s , , t h e r e remains the mute testimony :of-the f o ~ ' h y ~ f r v e ,'(4'5)'pl9-P6's, o.t,the . ' . f i r s . ~ : fl;ight,a ll of whiG,h r ethr ned' in: -formation' to' the':1Are'st'; bank of 'the; river:.'"Lat,er flight {were not so fortunate', ~ , ~ t i l i e r y , ~ n d ' ~ ~ ~ C 9 n d p ~ a s e - ' c ~ ~ , ; i n t o being.. (, ' ..,'" . " , , { ~ i.',.'.

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'. b. ,For t he close support' o t ~ t l ! ' e ' ; & i r b o r . n , e : ~ . d i v . ~ s i 6 n $ : ' a f t e ' r , J j h ~ ~ ~ ~ r e on the, gt.ound a' division art i l lery field r ' g i r h ~ i l t : : (Br i t i , s h ) : ~ : l n . ~ o s ~ t , ~ o n ,.on theWest, bank. of: the r ~ v e r ' w a s ,pLaced .in d ~ r , e ' c t " ~ U ' p p o r t b l - ' ~ e ' a c h ;a..:lt9.9rne:.9,iv;.sion.The 6th Brit ish 7j\.irborne Division had t - ! l r ~ : e . (3l ' i ~ l d , . r ~ g i m e n . t ~ ' ~ . ~ ~ ( ) ( i)m e d i u m r e g i m ~ t . l t s ; . t h e 17thU,.S. Airborne bivision "ha.d t h t . ' ~ e : : ( J } , . f : i ~ J . . c t r , . f S g i ment's and one, (1), med:i;tim' reg,iment"in direct-support .... ' t , h ~ 6th , f 3 . r ~ : t i ~ p . A i r b o r n e 'Division was',allotted' the 'extra medium. (4.5u Gciri)"regirrienti'o,gain' 'more' fireat greater ra'nge, for i t q, dJvision zone extended deeper than did the area ofthe 17th U.S. Airborne Divis'ion. In general support 1fIJas 8th AGRA and the 40thU.S.Group. Oneal l were th e art i l ler ies of, 12th Brit.ish. Corps on the lef tandXVIU:.'S. CQrnsonth? r ight . The key to t;,he, whole' pr.ob1.e.ql Of, , g i v i . n g c , ~ o s e su.pPort, to the, divisions' was to be found i the c Q i n m u n ? c a t ~ o n : . s y . s ; t e ~ ~ < R $ d . i o ,


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B. ENGINEER FUNCTIONS:- ~ - . ; . . ; ; " , ; ; ; ; . ; . . ; . . . ; . , ; ; - - - - . . . . -Engineer plan for the operation covered in i t iallY,the'-c'lear'ing;c froutes''1through .VJESEL and br ldging the LIPPE River a n 0 t h ~ , LIPPE .... SEI'PEN 'Canal 'en the main road South of VvESEL/ :i

.1 ...\ ".

Based on a route plan Pre scribed by 'SECOND BRITISH'Afti.!Y 'an overlay'showing priori ty ,of clearance of routes through WESEL was prepared 'and givento 16th Airfield Construction G i o u p ~ ' This plan w,as ;coordinated 'with NINTH U'.S.ARMY engineers working in the saIne area.

Reconnais sance part ies ' cro$sed on D Da'y to' check:the' route s ;select'ed,and to make any necessary changes Late, o.n n 'plus 1 tro'ops'and equIpment ,'of.:16th Airfield Construction Group crossed ~ h river and' began the 'worh;:,"of 'clearing the town on D plus 2. ' Additionaltroopf' of 'the '16th 'Airfield ConstructionGroup c ~ o s s e d andhelpedvJith, work' already u,nder w a y ' ~ " ' . . ! I

By ,this time two (2) routes t h ~ O p . g h ' W E S E L w e r e opened to ' t raff ic . ,. . ."'. : . ." ' On D plus 3 the balance of 16th Airfield Cbrlstruction GI'ouptroopsand equipment together with additional 8 CRE t robpsand equipment" arrived. 'Bridging over LIPPE River began byE! C R E t r o o p ~ , , ,On D plus 4 balance of,' 8 eRE'troops and additional' br idging eqJ.ipmen-tarrived and a bridge over the LIPPE River was ,completed'. Troops of', 503d ,Field Company and one (1) Bailey Platoon came 'unde'!' Corpscontrolannd 'were'placed in support of 6th Guards Ai'rrored 'Brigade'., Troops of 16t'h Airfrield G o n ~ struction Group and 8 CRE reverted to 8th British Corps a:s of-1800 ' th is date.on,D plus 5 troops of the 503dField' CO,mpany with equ ipment loaned

by 8th Brit ish Corps cleared r,outes of obstacle's as far as,'DULM'EN and by 1810, 'HOUTS had c l e a ~ d ; two (2)' single lane routes through DUIMEN.. '

a. WireC01l11llunication: Pr ovid ing the Cor ps Headquarters with wire


17/34

\ " . .. :aEPORT ON OPEtlATION VARSITY, Hq, XVIII Corps U N r ~ A second cable from each division to th e Cor ps Command Post. After the in i t ia l 'system was, installed the crews continued to extend the cable to accommodatethe rapidly moving command posts of the divisions.

b. RAD!.Q OOMMUNICATION:(1) XVIII Corps (Airborne) Command Net ~ 1 Communication established as follows:

(a) 17th U.S. Airbo.rne Division- at 1830, 24 March 1945.(b) 6th B r i t ~ s h Airborne Division at 1245, 25 March 1945.(Delay c a u ~ e d by radio set not being available for netunt i l l 2 0 0 ~ 25 March 1945.)

(2) XVIII Corps (Airborne) Command Net 0-2: Communication established with 6th British Airborne Division -at 1430, 24 March1945.(3) XVIII Corps (Airborne) Command Net C-3: Communication. established with 17th U.S. Airborne Division at 1235, 24 March1945. /(4) Army Net C....4: Communication established wit.h SECOND BRITISHA R M . Y ~ and' NINTH U.S.' ARMY at 2330, 23 March 1945. '(5) SECOND BRITISH ARMY Command Net A-I: Cotnnninication 6$tablished at 2330, 23 March 1945.(6) FIRST (ALLIED) AmBORNE ARMY Command Net C ~ 5 : Communic a t ionestablished 1014, 24 March 1945., (7) 17th U.S. Airborne ,Division Resupply Net C-6: The monitorstation at Corps Headquarters heard the 17th U.S. Airborne


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- 12I t i s believed that strategic and t ac t ica l doctrine governing the em-

ployment of airborne . forceswereserved in VARSITY, and that i t may well serveas a model for future airborne operations.Itd . ,"r '\ ;;. ; ' l " \ " f " ' . \ .f I j. l. \ ,t

M ~ j O r M d ~ ~ ; r ~ . i D . i c r : : ~ Y s 1 ..... ArJl\Y,. '.. .. Gommaru:hng . \, ....I.ANNEX: \Troop List as of 2400, 25 March 1945 .SKETCHES:

No. 1 to 7 Irtclusive J 'attached.DISTRIBJTICN :Twelfth Axmy 'Gp.Twenty-First "Arrn,V GpFirst U " ~ S . A t ~ : r Se cond Br i t Army

Ninth U'.S. ArmyF'AAAIX TAGIX Tee12th Bri t Corps ... IXVI U. S. Cor ps 6th Bri t Abn Div17th U;.S. Abn Di'V1st Cdo Brig6th Ods Armd I3rig


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ANNEX 1 to accompany REPORT ON OPERATION VARSITY, Hq, xVIII Corps (Airborne') Jdated 25 April 1945.

/ .XVIII Corps (Airborne'Hq & Hq Co,. XVIII Corps (Airbor ne) " .. Hq & Hq Btry, X V I I I ~ G o r p s " A r t i 4 - l . ~ J ; ' Y : . (Airpqrne). 54th Sig Bn C ~ . i r b o r n e ) . . .. ,... .One ( l ) Graves R ~ g i s t r a t i 0 n P . l a t , k A ~ 9 i j d ) 224th Fd Coy'50Bth Corps FdPk Coy RE- (Abchd)Hq l06th Br Coy RASe (Atchd) ' . . Tipper Plat , 8th Corps Camp Coy RASe (less Det) (Atchd.)One (1) BDPlatRE ( A t ~ c h d ) 16th Airfield Construction Gp (Atchd)25th Me cl1anical Equipment Pla.t RE (Atchd)8th CorpsTps RE (less Fd PkCoy) (Atchd Approx D plus 2)Oet, Tipper Plat , 22d Coy.RAseDet Tipp6):' Plat 8th Corps Comp Coy RAse (Atchd Approx D plus 2)1626th FBEPlat .8thAGRA25thFd Regt, 61st e4 Regt53d HyRe.gt547thFABn .(155mm Gun) ( U ~ S ~ ) '(AtChd)'54Bth FA En (155mm Gun) (U .5.) (Atchd),549th FA Bn.(155mm Gun) (U.SG)' (Atchd)9thAGRA:' (In general support for counterbattery)9th," Med Regt , .


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Hq RA s e , ' , , , \ ~ " .398 CompCoy -(Airborne Hy) RASe -63d Comp Cdy(A1pborne Hy)RASC7 1 6 t h C o m p C o y ~ 'rAiiborneLt )RASC'224th Par:a Fd Amb:;, 225th Para; F'd Arnb"195th Air 1dg ,Fd AnlbHq' RAOC ' :6th Airborne DiV, GIld Fd PkHq HEME6th Airborne Div Wksps

6th Airborne .DivPr.o Coy' ;1) ivPosta l Unit317th FS SecSqns, Glider.P EegtOne (1) Sqri 44thR Tks ' ( less 17 Pdr Tks) Equipped with DD Tks (Atchd)One ( l )SP A Tk Bty (12 SP M-+O 17 Pdrs) (Atchd)6th Fd Re gt RA (Atchd Approx D pius 1)52d (1) Arty Gp .63d Med Regt146th Med He gt79th Fd Regt ,80th FdRegt180th F d l l ~ g t 1 Bty, 382d.'HAA Regt17th A.irborne 'Di" isionHq&HqC:0,17th Abn DivSpTts , 17th Abn Div:'

MP Plat, 'T?th .AbnDiv17th Abn'Div BandRcn Plat , 17th. Abn D1v717th Abn Ord'Ma.int Co411 th Abn QM Co517th 'Abn S:ig. Co17thPrG'ht MaintCo224th ,Abn Medeo '

*


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ENCLASSEWII

KILOMETRE S


22/34


23/34

Ringenberg

Ham minke In

XVIII CORPS (ABN)SKETCH 14.2SITUATION AT CLOSE.Of D-DAY 24 MAR 45

TO ACCOMPANY REPORT ON....MAJOR CMANS2D BRITISH ARMYLT GEN SIR MILES DEMPSEYKCB-DSO-MC12TH BRITISH CORPS.LT GEN NEIL RITCHIEGCBXVIII CORPS (ABN)MAJ GEN M B RIDGWAYDEPUTY COMDR XVIII CORPS (ABN)-MAJ GEN R N GALEGOE OBE-DSO-MC6TH ABN DIV (BR)MAJ GEN E L BOLS-DSO17TH ABN DIV MAJ GEN W M MIL EY1ST COMMANDO BRIGADE (BR)BRIGADIER DERCK MILLS-ROBERTS -DSO -MC

MAJ GEN M B RIDGWAYCOMMAND ING*B Un en

617T

242030

513 INF ATTACK 'NIGHT OF 24 MARCH

CONTACT 44 Bdo.AND 17 ABN-242155

Dirs

Pedden berg

EL

DESTROYS

L 1 P p

$000YARDS 1000 500 0METRES 1000 500 0

2000 300 0 4000 YARDS!2 3 44KILOMETRES

*C~i

507CT

N

revenock

/\


24/34

9 9


25/34

5 Pore BdeRingenberg

XVIII CORPS (ABN)SKETCH NO.3SITUJATION AT CLOSEOFD0+I 25MAR45TO ACCOMPANY REPORT ON....

Q 00-ZA'MAJOR COMMANDS2D BRITISH ARMYLT GEN SIR MILES DEMPSEY KCB OSO MC12TH BRITISH CORPSLT GEN NEIL RITCHIE"CBXVIII CORPS (ABN)

___________MAJ GEN M B RIDGWAYDEPUTY COMDR XVIII CORPS (ABN)--MAJ GEN R N GALEGOE"OBE' DSO"MC6TH ABN DIV (BR)MAJ GEN E L BOLS"DSO17TH ABN DIV - MAJ GEN W M MILEY1ST COMMANDO BRIGADE (BR)BRIGADIER DERCK MILLS- ROBERTSflSC'MC

MAJ GE N M B RIDGWAY"COMMANDING-

Brilnen

BR

3 Para

513

00*0' 9 4

Diersfi

507

3 _ 194Peddenber

'94"..//j

DESTROYED

revenack

YARDS 1000METRES 1000

500 0 1000 2000 3000100I 2" 4000 YARDS4 KILOMETRES

WESE

11 n

-r- -r- T--r-500 0

1 12 3


26/34

9i


27/34

XVI I I CORPS _A BNSKETCH NO.4SITUATION AT CLOSEOF D+2 26 MAR 45

TO ACCOPN REPORT ON .MAJOR CMMANDS:(V~~g2D BRITISH ARMYLT GEN SIR MILES DEMPSEY' KCB-DSO-MC12TH BRITISH CORPS,LT GEN NEIL RITCHIE"CBXVIII CORPS (ABN)

_ MAJ GEN M B RIDGWAY~DEPUTY COMDR XVIII CORPS (A8N)''MAJ GEN R N GALE-GOE* OBE*DSO-MC6TH ABN DIV (BR)MAJ GEN E L BOLS"DSO17TH ABN DIV MAJ) GEN W M MILEY1ST COMMANDO BRIGADE (BR)-BRIGADIER DERCK MILLS-ROBERTSDSO"MC

MAJ GEN M B RIDGWAYCOMMANDING*

genbe 12TH CORPS(BR) TO RELIEVEELMS OF 6TH ABN DIV (BR)IN THIS AREA BY 270200 MARCH 12(B R)XVIIe6(BR)

Hamminkein 513TH PRCHT INFRELIEVED BY 3D PARA BDEON THIS LINE 26- 27 MARCH

6 I 5XX17

Para Bde

17AFFECTIVE 270200 MARCH

PARISOO

3 1I94

PeddenberglSEL

revenack

I _50

$._L /Pp RI VER

1-0APRIL 1945/3050 E/263YARDS 1000 1 00 t 0I 1 1o0 200 3000

METRES 10Q0 04000 YARDS

4 KILOMETRES

Di e rsfl

1 J

a

, 1, 1, 1 V , L 9 1 I I i . I - I- I I It500 0 4f

yw

I


28/34


29/34

SKETCH NO: 5SITUATION D+3 27 MAR 45TO ACCOMPANY R EPORT ON.......,..

MAJOR COMMANDS2D BRITISH ARMYLT GEN SIR MILES DEMPSEY-KCB-DSO-MC12TH BRITISH CORPSLT GEN NEIL RITCHIE"CBXVIII CORPS (ABN)MAJ GEN M B RIDGWAYDEPUTY COMDR XVIII CORPS (ABN)

MAJ GEN R N GALEGOE"OBE-DSO"MC6TH ABN DIV (BR)

MAJ GEN E L BOLSDSO17TH ABN DIV

MAJ GEN W M MILEY1ST COMMANDO BRIGADE (BR)BRIGADIER DERCK MILLS ROBERTS"DSC>MC6TH GUARDS ARMD BRIGADEBRIGADIER W D C GREENACRE M V 0MAJ GEN M.B. RIDGWAY

UNCI.AS lIED

-IVC(\

Brunen

A BDE (BR) RELIEVEDPRCHT INF ON THISNIGHT 26.27 MARCH..:

6THdXXo17TH

194)

OPENED 271500

6TH GD S AMD BDE (BR) denberg"'GUARDS ARMODE _-513 INF TCHOPREPARED TO PASS THROUGH507TH PRCHT !Nf TO MOVE ON

DORSTEN Gahlen

1. /APRIL 1945/3060 E/263 YARDS 1000 500 0METRES 1000 500t1~,,~

UNA iI2000000IN

4000 YARDS4 KILOMETRES

28 MARCH

N}x v i

2 I


30/34

4


31/34

XVIII1 CORPS (ABN)SKETCH NO.6S' TUAT ION D+4 2MAR.AND D+ 5 29 M%TD..ACCOMPANY REPORT ON.....

MAJOR COMMANDS:DBIIHAMLT GE N SIR MILES DEMPSEY12TH BRITISH CORPS

LT GEN NEIL'KGB -DSO 'MG ESFELDRITCHIE "CGBXVIII CORPS (ABN)

DEPUTY COMD-MAJ GEN6TH ABN DIVI

--- MAJ GEN M B RDGWAYR XVIII CORPS (ABN)R N GALE'-GOE'-OBE'-DSO-MC(BR)

MAJ GEN E L BOLS 'DSO17TH ABN DIVMAJ GEN W M MILEY6TH GUARDS ARMD BRIGADE (BR)BRIGADIER W D C GREENACRE -MVO1ST COMMANDO BRIGADE (BR)BRIGADIER DERCK MILLS - ROBERTS'DSC 'MC

MAJ GEN M B RIDGWAY'COMM ANDING-

Buldern

BNS 194TH INF29 MAR

6 ABN DIV PASSEDTO 8TH BRITISH CORPS282400

ATTACK NIGHT

6ck

17 TH ABN DIVSEIZED AND HELDBRIDGEHEAD THRUWHICH NINTH (U.S.)ARMY EXPLOITEDAND ENCIRCLEDROHR POCKETFROM NORTH

SCALE 1:100,000

t. /APRIL 1945 3060E/1263

Nottu In

ICdo d.17


32/34

.


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ASSAULT CROSSINGBY BRITISH SECONDBY U S XVIII COR23 - 30 MAROF THE RHINEARMY, SUPPORTEDPS AIRBORNE1945

MUNSTER

Bocholt Buldern\6TH ABN DIV PASSE[TO 8TH CORPS (BR)X -282400 MAR'

17TH (ABN) DIV SEIZED AND HELDBRIDGEHEAD THRU WHICH NINTHARMY EXPLOITED AND ENCIRCLEDRUHR POCKET FROM NORTH

XVIII CORPS (ABN)SKETCH NO.?TTO 4CCOMPANY REPORT ON..~.

12TH CORPS\SAL2402001ST CDO BDESEIZED WESEL232000 (XVIIICORPS RESERYIUNTIL 28 MAR)/

AREA NORTH OF LIPPE R.SEIZED BY 6TH GDSARMD BDE (REINF)0630 28 MA R

AREA SEIZED D-DAY'24 MAR BY AB N TRS

XVIII CORPS ENGRCLEARED ROUTES THRU

\LINE SEIZED26 MAR D+2SLINE SEIZED25 MAR D+I

BRIDGED BY XVIIICORPS ENGR

MAJOR COMMANDS: ~'2ND BRITISH ARMYLT G SIR MILES DEMPSEYI(CB"DSO-MC1ST ALLIED AIRBORNE ARMY-LT GEN LEWIS H BRERETON12TH BRITISH CORPS-LT GEN NEIL RITCHIEC BXV I1I CORPS (AB N)__________MAJ GEN M B RIDGWAYDEPUTY COMDR XVIII CORPS (ABN)--

6TH- MAJ GEN R N GALE DSOOBEM-6 ABN DIV (BR)MAJ GEN E L BOLS*DSOI?7TH AIRBORNE D V,

LEGEND:_____BRITISH 6TH ABN DIVAMERICAN 17TH ABN DIV SCALE 1:250,000BRITISH 6TH GDS ARMDO WE-I 10 0513 PRCHT INF ATCHDU I I I statute miles0 10

___________MAJ GEN W M MILEY6TH GUARDS ARMD BDE (BR)-- BRIGADIER WDC GREENACRE MVO -I1ST COMMANDO BRIGADE (BR)BRIGADIER DERCK MILLS -RQBERTSDSOMCMAJ GE N M B RIDGWAY-COMMANDING

kilometres

I.5 APRIL 1945 3060 E /263

Dingden

N

Roesfeldrn

i


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wwii 18th army airborne corps

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