Op Varsity - RA equipment and positions?

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by alberk, Oct 29, 2020.

  1. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

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  2. Tom M

    Tom M New Member

    Hello, I’m joining this thread a little late, having only just stumbled across it and joined the forum.
    I was intrigued to potentially see a photograph of one of 53rd’s 25 Pdrs, as I own an original Airborne Jeep which I believe is a veteran of the 53rd Light Regiment and may have been the survivor which towed the single 25 Pdr into action on Op VARSITY (I can elaborate if it’s of interest to anyone).
    With regard to the picture which started the post. In my opinion those guns don’t belong to the 53rd. They are standard 25 Pdrs (the limbers can also be seen in the picture behind the guns), whereas the guns used by Airborne were specially modified for towing behind Jeeps (see attached picture); narrower axle, modified tow hitch with Swan neck and a trail which could be broken to increase elevation for close in engagements.
    Hence, I would say the guns belong to a standard Field Regt.

    If anyone has any pictures of the 53rd on Op VARSITY I would love to see them as I’m always hopeful that I might find a picture of my Jeep in service.
     

    Attached Files:

  3. Fallinghunter

    Fallinghunter Member

    Hi Tom,

    I've just picked up on this thread. I'm doing a lot of research on RAF Rivenhall which as you may know was one of the airfields that 6 AB Div were flown from. There's some fantastic IWM/Pathe News footage of the operation, a lot of the gliders and their loads in the days leading up and the morning itself. If you look here OPERATION VARSITY : Airborne Invasion East of the Rhine, March 24th 1945 (rough assembly and offcuts) [Main Title] film 2/3 at the 2 min 50 sec point you will see a jeep and trailer being loaded into a Mk II Horsa. The TAC plates on the trailer put this as a 53rd trailer but being towed on by what looks to be a HQ Airborne RA jeep - understandable as I think that they would have had to cross deck the trailers to other gliders due to capacity.

    [​IMG]

    The TAC plate 46 represents the 53rd - the other plate with the C visible represents C Troop 211 Battery - like you I'm a footslogger but been looking into the markings and pretty sure that's what it relates to.

    Vehicle Markings - The Royal Artillery 1939-45

    makes the trailer 2nd battery – C Troop/Gun?

    211th Airlanding Light Battery as the second battery in line with the square moving clockwise around the plate

    53rd Worcester Yeomanry, Royal Artillery

    'D Day paratroopers' Jean Bouchery – page 11
     
  4. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Chris,

    What airfield are we at in the clips between 2:42 and 3:28 showing loading of Horsas? Going by the dense young woods in background of a few scenes I'm reminded of RAF Woodbridge? Serial B15?

    Regards ...
     
  5. Fallinghunter

    Fallinghunter Member

    Yes assessed as RAF Woodbridge Cee - due to the woods but also in one of the clips CN 231 visible on side of Mk II Horsa
     
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  6. CJB

    CJB Member

    From CJB
    I have not been on the site for some time (2 years) for a number of reasons work, medical, Covid, house move etc so am just starting to catch up. I have posted a number of times on the site as my late father BSM Frank Bentley was in the 6th Airborne 53rd Worcestershire Yeomanry Air Landing Light Regiment RA 210 Battery and was at Dunkirk, D-Day, Battle of the Bulge and OP Varsity (glider 305). I have been trying to complete a book about his service and hope to complete it soon.

    Sorry Tom, I don't have any pictures of the jeeps in service but along the way I have been collecting certain items. One is a Dinky model which includes a Quad Jeep, Trailer and 25Pdr. The other is a 1/35 scale plastic model by Bronco of a jeep, trailer and 75mm Pack Howitzer. The things that might be of interest to you are a painting of said model and a sheet showing the markings. I have attached copies of both. I should note I have not made up the model as yet.

    Regards,

    Charlie
     

    Attached Files:

    Cee likes this.
  7. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Does 46 relate to the 53rd? Or is it 42?
     

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