Hi Can anyone recommend any memoirs or first hand accounts from members of the 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry which cover Operation Varsity (Rhine landings)? Many thanks
Denis Edward's book, "Devils Own Luck" covers his experience of Operation Varsity which turned out decidedly odd when he went missing for a short time. You can also find videos of Denis talking on ParaData. There is also Steve Wright's book, "the Last Drop", and Tim Saunder's "Operation Varsity" which contain accounts by Ox and Bucks members. There might be a few stories under biographies on the Pegasus Archive for the unit. http://www.pegasusarchive.org/varsity/biog_2OxBucks.htm Those are the obvious ones to get you started if you are unfamiliar with the 2nd Ox and Buck's role in Operation Varsity? Regards ..
Have you tried a forum search for OBLI and Operation Varsity?? there seems to be a number of topics on them and it?? TD
Thanks Cee for this information. I was hoping Dennis Edward's book covered this period. I'll look into the other titles too. Indeed, I did search the forums, and while Varsity and the OBLI are both mentioned, I couldn't find any posts refering specifically to personal accounts. If I've missed a post, I would appreciate a link to it. For those interested, the IWM have made a number of oral history interviews available online which relate to the OBLI during Varsity (and other periods), eg: Parr, Walter Robert 'Wally’ British NCO served with D Coy, 2nd Bn Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 6th Airborne Div in GB and North West Europe, 1942-1945 Whitbread, Alfred 'Jim' British soldier served with 70th Bn, Royal West Kent Regt in GB, 1940-1942; served with 2nd Bn, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in GB and North West Europe, 1942-1945. Present at capture of Horsa and Pegasus Bridges, 6/6/1944 Bourlet, Francis Louis British sniper served with 2nd Bn, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in GB, North West Europe and Palestine, 1941-1947. Present at capture of Pegasus Bridge, Normandy, 6/6/1944
Hi Drew The IWM Collections site seems to have changed so I've been searching for specific terms from this page, then filtering on Category - Sound. If you are looking for recordings relating to the OBLI let me know, as I am aware of some held in other collections. Matt
Yep - they are held at the Second World War Experience Centre - I will send you a PM with more details
Mathsmal, Just checking my bookmarks I noticed this saved search for "pegasus bridge interviews" at IWM which list other 2 OBLI members beside the ones you have. Not all may be available for listening? http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?query=pegasus%20bridge%20interviews&items_per_page=10&submit= Regards ...
Mathsmal you offered to send Drew5233 a link to accounts about Cassel. I'm looking for any information regarding the O&B and the last stand at Cassel, could you also send me the link ...thanks
