Varsity: Jettison Drops for Brit. Para Bdes

Hello,
I recently had a closer look at a 1956 map showing the plan for Operation Varsity. Two details struck me: The areas designated as „Jettison Drop“ next to DZ A and DZ B. They are located immediately west and somewhat outside the actual DZ.



Looking at the war diaries of 3 and 5 Para Bde I saw that the brigade orders also referred to the „jettison drop“. If I understand the orders correctly, each C-47 was to carry four containers, to be dropped before the troop drop. Below I attached excerpts of the relevant pages from the brigade orders for 3 and 5 Para Bde.


Above from 5 Pard Bde WD

Below from 3 Para Bde WD



These observations lead me to asking the following questions:
Why would the drop take place immediately before the troop drop and somewhat outside the DZ?
Were the containers of the CLE-type and were these mounted under the wings (or belly) of the C-47?
In one paragraph mention is made of „crates“ - what can be found out about these crates?
If crates were used: How were these dropped in the jettison drop-phase?

I understand that the US airborne unist dropped troops and caontainers simultaneously.

It is worth noting that this „jettison drop“ is not to be confused with the „supply drop“ following the the troop drop. In the case of Varsity the supply drop took place three hours after the initial airborne assault. By the way, five „supply dropping points“ (SDP) are also marked the map. It is odd, however, that this map does not mark the US supply dropping point on DZ W. The map comes from John C. Warren: „USAF Historical Studies No. 97: Airborne Operations in World War II, European Theater“, Maxwell, Alabama, 1956.

Thanks to everyone who could further my knowledge on this matter!

 

Hello alberk.

Re: "These observations lead me to asking the following questions:
Why would the drop take place immediately before the troop drop and somewhat outside the DZ?"

From memory. Primarily to minimise the Airborne troops chances of getting clanged by containers and panniers (which previous operations had proved could be a distinct possibility).

Kind regards, keep yer eyes open, always,

Jim.

 

Yo,

Two photos of dealing with containers at RAF Chipping Ongar. Believe Mike Lewis actually took these pics, probably on March 24th.



Regards ...

 

Hello Jim,
thank you, that does make sense. On the other hand, it means spreading out your equipment in an area located short of the DZ, with the risk of teh containers falling into enemy hands. And you'd probably have to fight in order to "liberate" them.

Some remarks on the tactical situation at the start of Operation Varsity: The areas designated for the jettison drop were quite full of German defenders. At the same time the para batallions had the task to advance to areas other than the jettison drop zone - in the case of 3 Para Bn this would have been the hamlet of Bergerfurth (1 Cdn Para Bn), the Schnepfenberg feature (9 Par Bn) and the woods immediately southwest of the Div HQ at Köpenhof. After breaking German resistance on DZ A the paras left the DZ - on the afternoon of the 24th and throughout the following night the DZ was still contested, with Germans probing it from the north, and it became "no man's land" for the time being. The jettison drop area west of the main road was held by the Germans, it wasn't until the next day that the Canadians advanced into that area..

This is from the War Diary of 1st Cdn Para Bn:

 

Despatch of ramp stores and door loads on Red On is still practiced today. Its a safety practice to ensure that any stores from a following aircraft that 'whistle' don't land on the troops already on the ground from earlier aircraft.

 

Thanks, Aeronut.
So, if crates - as mentioned - were also used in the Varsity drop, these were thrown from the doors before the troops jumped? As opposed to the the CLE, which were released from under the wings.

 

Courtesy of and all thanks to:

Supplies from the Sky: C.L.E. Containers

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Drop lines

Not sure if this will add much. The Varsity drop lines for 7 Para and 5 Para Bd Hq.



My Father was on 7 Para Dakota CN 229. An excerpt from his account:

" ... All of a sudden the red light was on and I knew the darned pilot was wrong. I had asked for a 20 second red and here he was with the red light on already. I knew we had a long way to go yet. They had a jump master Sgt. at the back of the plane and I told him what I thought of his pilot in no uncertain terms (paratroop style). Anyhow I had the guys stand up and hook up. Went to checked their hook up and equipment, gave them a little pat and a word of encouragement. God knows they needed it, some of them were young boys - I was an old man to them, I was 25. ...

As we flew over Germany we saw towns burning, the R.A.F. had really plastered them. Also the British 2nd Army had put down a big barrage, they had softened it up for us. 10 minutes to go 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, green light on, go. I looked and knew this pilot was wrong again. I could see all the other planes and no one was out yet. I could also see if I jumped all my lads and I would land in the village full of Germans. I waited until we would be clear of the village and then jumped. ..."

If his aircraft dropped containers can't imagine where they might have fell. Not sure what village he is referring to there, perhaps the cluster of farm buildings just west of DZ 'B' ... ?

Regards ...

 

From: 6th Airborne Division Report on Operation Varsity (WO 205/947 at TNA):

 

Varsity OO

Came across this in passing:



Regards ...