Glider pilots , Operation Husky

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Kiwi Sapper, Jan 29, 2022.

  1. Kiwi Sapper

    Kiwi Sapper Active Member

    Hi.
    Trying to track down a list of GPR pilots that took part in Operation Husky.
     
  2. Sheldrake

    Sheldrake All over the place....

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  3. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    The book "Glider Pilots in Sicily" has a list towards end under Appendix 1 entitled "Operation LADBROKE Post Mission Reports". With the ebook they are series of images rather than text. As an example here is the first image.

    00040.jpg

    Regards ...
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2022
  4. Kiwi Sapper

    Kiwi Sapper Active Member

    Are you able to tell me if a Sgt Shorter was involved in the operation please??
     
  5. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

  6. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    There is no trace of Sgt Shorter being involved in Operations Ladbroke or Fustian. Neither is he listed a flying one of the gilders when they moved from Froha to Sousse in June ‘43
     
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  7. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    Cant help with Sicily, but assuming its 1876535 H M J Shorter he did D-Day and Arnhem where he was taken POW, having the number may help peoples searches
     
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  8. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

  9. Quarterfinal

    Quarterfinal Well-Known Member

    In ‘The Glider Gang’ by Milton Dank (US, 439 Troop Carrier Group 44-45) a few names are included in the ‘Sicilian Vespers’ chapter. Snippets below:

    “Of the six Horsas that were to attack the Ponte Grande, two landed in the immediate vicinity ...... One, piloted by the popular Captain JNC Denholm came in downwind, hit the bank of the canal at high speed and blew up, killing all on board”.

    “One Horsa glider, piloted by Staff Sergeant DP ‘Galp’ Galpin, landed close to the bridge, having been guided down by a helpful Italian searchlight ......”. (After taking and holding the bridge through the night, they were reinforced by crews and pax who had landed elsewhere, including two Waco pilots) Flight Officer Samuel Fine of Flushing NY (subsequently wounded and) Flight Officer Russell D Parks (attributed as the only Americans at that scene, although a Flt Officer Morris B Kyle of West Virginia seems to have been a co-pilot on a Waco, too.)

    Also mentioned are Sergeant HN ‘Andy’ Andrews and the injured Colonel ‘Honker’ Henniker, but the rest of the accounts of FUSTIAN exclude names.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2022
  10. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Denholm’s glider (chalk 132), carrying members of C Company, South Staffords, landed just upstream of the bridge objective, burst into flames and exploded. There were three survivors, one officer and two other ranks, although all of them were badly injured.
     
  11. Kiwi Sapper

    Kiwi Sapper Active Member

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  12. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Sorry to be somewhat negative but you have been advised by probably the most knowledgeable on the subject but note that you say that you have not applied for his Service Record.
    This is the one place that can answer your last question as he most likely attended a glider pilot training course which would be indicated on the Service Record documents.
    I guess that you are not a relative so have a problem with obtaining a death cert or proving a relationship.
    Maybe you should seek advice from members on here with experience in obtaining Service Records as a third party. Perhaps you might obtain some official paperwork to help you in this.
    Apologies if I am trying to teach granny to suck eggs.
     
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  13. Kiwi Sapper

    Kiwi Sapper Active Member

    Always ready to learn. Been in Australia makes it difficult and the only way is via this means.
    Thank for your suggestions.
     
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  14. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Kiwi Sapper If you are unaware of the rules for application use this link as it explains it quite well if it works in your zone of operation. It is a UK Govt website and the only place where you will get personal records.

    Request records of deceased service personnel.

    You might try contacting them for further details or experienced researchers here might be able to help.
    There are a few members from your part of the world.

    The alternative is to use a genealogy website to trace his family.

    Good Luck.
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2022
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  15. Ian Mackenzie

    Ian Mackenzie Member

    My first post - Hello.
    My uncle Staff Sergeant Norman David Wright, The Glider Pilot Regiment, arrived in the North Africa area on 30th May 1943 and we believe he took part in the Sicily operations of 9th July but his role is not precisely known. We do know he was back in North Africa having returned from Sicily on 17 July 1943, when he wrote home. I am in possession of a group photograph, without identities, marked '1943 The Glider Pilot Regiment, No. 2 Troop, No. 1 Squadron, Italy 1943'. Norman Wright would later take part as a Glider Pilot at Arnhem, where he was wounded and a POW at Stalag X1B Fallingbostel. If anyone out there can assist in identifying his role in the Mediterranean I would be obliged. Thanks
     
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  16. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    May I suggest that you post the photo as someone might recognise him. A bit of a long shot but I found one of the men I was looking for.
    He wasn't on the list for Sicily although we knew he had been there but was photographed in a group later in the war.
    He flew into Arnhem and got back with a group of others.
    There are photos on
    Glider Pilot Regiment (GPR) | ParaData
    might be worth a look.
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2024
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  17. Ian Mackenzie

    Ian Mackenzie Member

    Thank you for the prompt reply. Herewith the photograph.
     

    Attached Files:

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  18. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Would you mind if I copy and post it so that it can be seen and discussed?
    Not everyone has pdf viewers.
    I will delete it if you wish.
    Which one is your uncle Staff Sergeant Norman David Wright

    Glider Pilot Regt.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2024
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  19. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    There is a Wright listed in above book for Ladbroke:

    00051.jpeg

    Regards ...
     
  20. Ian Mackenzie

    Ian Mackenzie Member

    Thank you for your assistance thus far. I have no objection to the photograph being circulated to interested parties. I have not seen it posted anywhere else and may be unique.
     
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