Varsity: Looking for crashed C-47s

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by alberk, Apr 3, 2021.

  1. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Does that crashed aircraft have camouflage pattern on the wings? Would make it a glider if so, looks Horsa sized compared with the others? I did wonder if L/Cpl Lancaster saw a crashed B-24? But he talks about seeing someone in the door as if in the Parachute position.
     
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  2. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    There is a picture of DZ B with something in the middle which is always difficult to make out, but not sure it’s a C-47. I’ll have to find it on my PC.
     
  3. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    I looked again - I think it is a Horsa
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2021
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  4. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    ... one wing sticking up, other one off, tail broken off... so, you were right...
     
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  5. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    alberk,

    The crash of that horsa was actually caught on film from a distance. I thought it might have been the one that brought in Brigadier Faithfull, CRA, but need other evidence to confirm. I have good deal of the LZ 'P' footage worked out and will post in a thread at some point. Not sure if much will actually be new to you guys?

    Regards ...
     
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  6. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Is it the one with the commentary “here’s one of the crack ups” as you see the wings fold in and it crashes?
     
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  7. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Alex,

    Yes exactly. I thought it might have flipped but don't think that was the case. I''ll start posting my LZ 'P' stuff in a bit. It needs some explanation to set the scene.

    Regards ....
     
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  8. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    I’m still betting on the long shot of the C-47 to be on LZ P based on the square sloping wood in shot, which I think is “Bunty”
     

    Attached Files:

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  9. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Just a quick update on my previous posts:
    I am still searching for locations were some C-47s of 315th Troop Carrier Group crashed after dropping 5 Para Bde on DZ "B" on 24 March 1945. All in all 315th TCG lost ten aircraft that day. Five crash sites could be located - the serial numbers of the aircraft are given in the sketch below.

    Karte Niederrhein Kopie.png
    The orange arrow points to another possible location - however, that is just an assumption based on an aerial photo. There is something large in that field that does not belong there... ok, it does not have the shape of an aircraft but I noticed that crashed aircraft are difficult to make out. And a crash will certainly change the the shape of an aircraft... As you will notice, I still have doubts and would be happy to hear your interpretations.
    Luftfoto_25.03.1945_NCAP.png
    This location is identified and it is near the course of the westward bound aircraft...
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2021
  10. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    One aircraft of the remaining five unsolved cases exploded in mid-air - this was serial number 43-15257.
    I will not attempt to find a location for that!
    The crew bailed out before the plane exploded and was not taken prisoner. Which means that that they landed close to the Rhine in one of the British bridgeheads or probably west of the Rhine.

    All others must have gone down east of the Rhine, very likely in the area that was not covered by aerial photographs taken on March 25th. Most of this area was still held by the Germans - hence crew members of three aircraft were taken POW.
    I took a closer look at the Missing Air Crew Reports, they do not offer any information on the locations of the crashes but provide some hints in the questionnaires filled in by survivors:

    42-108871: "turned from DZ" - crashed - all five crew members were taken prisoner

    42-100875: "made a turn from the DZ" - crashed - three crew members taken prisoner, pilot KIA

    43-15256 - "shot down a few minutes after we dropped our paratroopers" - crashed - three crew members KIA, one POW

    43-15266 - "last seen over DZ" - crashed - all four crew members KIA
     
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