Exactly 76 years ago Operation Varsity took place von Saturday, March 24th, 1945. The two airborne divisions involved paid an extremely high price for the tactical success achieved on that day. For example, we know the names of 524 men of 17th Airborne Division who died on March 24 and the two days it took to consolidate the airborne bridgehead. Among that number are a few who died of wounds in the following days. However, about 90 % of the fatalities occurred on the day of the airborne assault - March 24th was a day of horror when you look at the numbers. PFC Herschel C Badger, 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment. KIA 24 March 1945