Hi all, I'm looking for any information on Horsa CN 73 used on Op TONGA and how it ended up with a smashed up canopy and damaged wing, can anyone help? Al
Hi Al Welcome to the forum I am sure our Para & Horsa experts will be along, in the meantime if you search the site then there is plenty of detail on Tonga - search results - http://ww2talk.com/index.php?search/510424/&q=operation+tonga&o=relevance TD edited to add: Mght be worth starting a specific thread using the Horsa number, or your relatives details or those details on someone your are specifically searching for.
Welcome to the forum. Best to start a thread in the Airborne section of the forum, with a title such as ''Horsa CN 73 Op TONGA '' that with attract the attention of those that can help as they may not look at a thread titled 'Hello'.
Hi Alan, For starters I can give you the location of Horsa CN 73 which can be seen in the first post of this thread. Location of D-Day photos by Sgt. Jim Christie and Others A few official photos showing CN 73. The first, B 5343 at the IWM, was taken by Sgt. Morris, 5 AFPU on June 10th. CN 73 can also be seen in the background of photos B 5204 and B 5203, both taken by Sgt Christie on June 6th. I'm not sure how it suffered the damage shown at the moment and will dig around to see if I can find out more. Regards ... Edit: Added photo
Hi Al, Some further information on Horsa CN 73: Airfield - Harwell Squadron - 295 Aircraft Number - V.1766 Chalk Number - 73 Regiment - 6th Airborne Div HQ. G4 Remarks - Glider released successfully Brigade - Div. Landing Zone - N Aircraft - ALBEMARLE Serial - 11 Wave - Three Type - Glider Pilot - F/Lt. Byrom Glider Pilots - 2/Lt. Fletcher, Sgt. Sheills Passengers - Captain Spurling GSO 3 (Ops) , Information - GSO 3 (Ops), 1 OR (HQ), 5 ORs (Sigs) Loads: Jeep, 22 set (Rear Link RT), MC, Trailer, 76 set (‘B’ Comd spare) 7 Troops Up - .01.35 Down - .05.05 According to the book "Gale's Eyes" Captain M. R. Spurling GSO-3 (Operations) was "RA 91321 ... wounded 06.06.44 (X-list)". If I'm reading the authors citation correctly he may also get mentioned in the Haclerode book, "Go To It" on page 18. Of the two Glider Pilots Lt. P. N. Fletcher appears to have been relatively unscathed as he turns up in No. 1 Wing GPR war diary numerous times mostly with regard to patrol duties in South Ranville. I couldn't find anything on Sgt. G. Sheills. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Glider Pilot seated on the port side that sustained most of the damage was injured in the landing. The most likely explanation for the damage received by CN 73 is that it struck anti-glider poles during landing. A glider striking a pole soon after landing at speed could cause severe damage to the craft. I'll include a few poor quality aerials from the book, "The Normandy Invasion, June1944: Looking Down on War". The mark up is mine on the first aerial. Here's a suggestion I wont' elaborate on other than to point out an anomaly with the glider to the south of CN 73 closer to the T-junction. It came to a skidding stop and as it did so lost the tips of both wings along the way. Oddly the starboard wing tip is sitting in front of the glider. How is it that possible unless it had been moved there? Regards ...
