Operation Varsity
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Operation Varsity was an airborne operation towards the end of World War II, intended to gain a foothold across the River Rhine. It was the largest airborne operation in history. It involved two divisions and 1,700 transport aircraft.
The operation took place on 24 March 1945 and involved the British 6th Airborne Division and the US 17th Airborne Division. The US 82nd Airborne Division had originally been scheduled to participate in the jump as well until a shortage of transport aircraft forced the use of just two divisions.
The operation saw the first use of the C-46 Commando transport aircraft operating with the reliable C-47 Skytrain of previous airborne operations.
External links
- Operation Varsity (http://www.army.mod.uk/para/history/rhine.htm)de:Operation Varsity