Operace Varsity

Operation Varsity
     
Název:
Name:
Operace Varsity Operation Varsity
Datum:
Date:
24.03.1945-24.03.1945
Válčiště / Fáze:
Theatre of Operations / Phase:
Středoevropské válčiště
Central European Theatre of Operations
Místo:
Location:
prostor mezi městy Wesel a Hamminkeln area between Wesel and Hamminkeln
GPS:
GPS:
00°00'00.00"N 00°00'00.00"E
Účastníci:
Belligerents:
 
Strana A:
Side A:
Spojené státy americké
Velká Británie
Kanada
United States of America
Great Britain
Canada
Strana B:
Side B:
Velkoněmecká říše Greater German Realm
Velitelé:
Commanders:
 
Strana A:
Side A:
Matthew B. Ridgway

Eric Bols
William Miley
Matthew B. Ridgway

Eric Bols
William Miley
Strana B:
Side B:
Günther Blumentritt

Wolfgang Erdmann
Heinz Fiebig
Eberhard Rodt
Günther Blumentritt

Wolfgang Erdmann
Heinz Fiebig
Eberhard Rodt
Síly:
Strenght:
 
Síly strana A:
Forces Side A:
XVIII. výsadkový sbor XVIII Airborne Corps
Zobraz detail:
Show Detail:
  
Síly strana B:
Forces Side B:
1. výsadková armáda 1st Airborne Army
Zobraz detail:
Show Detail:
  
Ztráty:
Losses:
 
Ztráty strana A:
Losses Side A:
1 111 mrtvých
cca 1 600 zraněných a nezvěstných
1 111 KIA
cca 1 600 WIA or MIA
Zobraz detail:
Show Detail:
  
Ztráty strana B:
Losses Side B:
neznámé unknown
Zobraz detail:
Show Detail:
  
Cíle a výsledek:
Objectives and Result:
 
Typ operace, strana A:
Type of Operation, Side A:
útok
attack
Typ operace, strana B:
Type of Operation, Side B:
obrana
defense
Cíle, strana A:
Objectives, Side A:
obsadit Schnappenberg a Hamminkeln - splněn
obsadit Diersfordt - splněn
vyčistit Diersfordterský les - splněn
zajistit mosty přes řeku Issel - splněn
držet území do příjezdu jednotek 21. skupiny armád - splněn
capture the villages of Schnappenberg and Hamminkeln - fulfilled
capture the village of Diersfordt - fulfilled
clear the Diersfordter Wald - fulfilled
secure three bridges over the River Issel - fulfilled
hold the captured territory until relieved by units of 21st Army Group - fulfilled
Cíle, strana B:
Objectives, Side B:
zabránit vytvoření předmostí - nesplněn
prevent the establishment of the bridgehead - unfulfilled
Výsledek:
Result:
vítězství strany A victory for side A
Poznámka:
Note:
- -
Zdroje:
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Varsity
www.historynet.com
www.ibiblio.org
www.armyhistory.org
tna.europarchive.org
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Operace-Varsity-t125861#427098 Version : 0
PLANNING AND PREPARATION
a Few plans for the airborne operation
Plans for paradesantní landings in support of the crossing of the river Rhine began on the staff of the 1. airborne army to prepare shortly before the battle of the Bulge. Finally, planners have compiled plans for the three operations: Varsity to support Montgomery 21. the group armies u Wesel, Choker II to support Patchovy 7. army at Worms and Naples II to support Bradley 12. the group armies u Cologne. Assembled there were the basic thesis for operation Eclipse - the away team in the field of Berlin in the case of the collapse of the nazi regime. The development plans for the Naples II and the Eclipse was after a time stopped and continue to rozpracovávaly only operation Varsity and the Choker II. Mainly Montgomery and Dempsey insisted on the implementation of the away team. According to their proposal should be the operation Varsity made the british 6. apa divisions, american 13. apa divisions and american 17. apa divisions. Choker II, should be conferred on the american 82. airborne division and american 101. airborne division.

General Ridgeway
At the forefront of the preparations stood first commander of the british Even. výsadového corps major general Richard Gale, which later replaced the commander of us . XVIII. airborne corps major general Matthew Ridgway, who had then the whole of the operation and the command. The of this decision but it wasn't too too excited, as during the battle of the Bulge with its chorus through conventional combat, and was hoping to soon get the opportunity to become commander of the army. He assumed that if he gets in charge of the preparation and execution of airborne operations, his chances of career advancement will be diminished. He sought, therefore, to remain in his ward within the Hodges american 1. army to reach the Rhine and then was entrusted with the execution of the operation Choker II. General Eisenhower but his request failed. Airborne division were meanwhile gradually withdrawn from the front line, in order to be in peace added and prepared to perform operations. Field marshal Montgomery set the date of the operation on the 24. march.

Plan of operation Varsity
Unlike previous operations had a Varsity start until after the launch of operation Plunder, which was the code name for the amphibious crossing of the Rhine. All the airborne units were to be planted in the shortest possible time and, if possible, as close as possible to their targets, to avoid problems of operation Market-Garden. The final plan envisaged the discontinuation of the 17. airborne division in the southern part of the parachute sector, and 6. the division in its northern part. British paratroopers were to secure the village Schnappenberg and Hamminkeln, clean up the northern part of the Diersfordtského the forest and secure three bridges over the river Issel. American paratroopers were to occupy the village of Diersfordt and clear the southern part of the Diersfordtského the forest. This area between the Weselem, Hamminkelnem, Diersfordtským through the woods and the river Issel should stick to the arrival of the formations 21. the group of armies. The activity should, paratroopers facilitate the overcoming of the Rhine, and then quickly advance further into the heart of Germany. With 13. airborne divisions had ceased to count, because of the limited transmission capacities. For some time, it was considered whether to carry out a landing party in the daytime, or at night. Daily sveta exhibited aircraft and gliders anti-aircraft artillery fire, but this danger was not entirely eliminated even at night, where in addition operated as a night fighter aircraft. Due to the fact that the day was significantly easier to find the landing and drop zones, collect and locate their targets and the enemy's position, was decided in favor of the daily operations. In favor of the troops also played it that the target area was in range of allied artillery on the other bank of the Rhine. The area should additionally be heavily bombed before the arrival of the paratroopers and their drop should appear next bombers - this time with supplies. Dempsey swore 2. army in 48 hours gets the place two division, and will not repeat the failure at Arnhem. Ridgway decided that he and the crew of the XVIII. airborne corps will not participate in the jump, but to overcome the river on the vessels. You want to ensure proper connection with all the services and full control over the development of the situation. In addition, at that time suffered from severe back pain.

Cast Ludendorffova the bridge at Remagen
Day 7. march is american 9. the armored division managed to occupy the Remagen last standing bridge over the Rhine. This fact, firstly, significantly reduce the importance of operation Varsity, both meant the definitive end of plans to carry out operation Choker II, Naples II and Arena.

the Composition of the airborne division
The american 17. airborne division commanded by major general William Miley, former deputy commander of the 82. airborne division, then commanded by general Ridgeway. The majority of this division of the dividend has not yet been air-dropped, but for a complete rookie it was not, as its members have experienced heavy fighting in the Ardennes. The division consisted of two airborne regiments (Raffův 507. and Couttsův 513.), one regiment of glider infantry (Pierce's 194.), four field artillery battalions and other supporting bodies. 513. the regiment should be discontinued from the newly operating aircraft . 6. the airborne division consisted of hill's 3. paradesantní brigade, Poettovy 5. paradesantní brigade and Bellamy 6. a brigade of glider troops.

the Position of the German army
On the left side of the Rhine was the position of the units of the German 1. airborne army. This army consisted of the II. airborne corps to the north, LXXXVI. army corps in the middle and LXIII. army corps to the south. The operating areas of the allied airborne divisions went through the boundary between units II. parachute and LXXXVI. army corps. Specifically, there were 7. paradesantní division and 84. infantry division. These divisions were weakened by the previous fight, and each had about 4 thousands of men. In addition, they lacked a large part of the equipment and heavy weapons. A week before the operation in addition has taken, the allied air force a series of major air raids on the position of the German air force and transport infrastructure, which further reduced the ability of German troops to put an effective resistance. The area is on the other hand, has been characterised by a strong concentration of anti-aircraft artillery - was estimated to 114 heavy and 712 light anti-aircraft guns.



COURSE
Operation Plunder
When 23. march night, rozduněla the sky in the field of allied guns. Massive artillery mortar fire, and extensive smoke screens allow the components of the Dempsey 2. the army start with the amphibians crossing of the Rhine. Staff of the army sent a paratroop forces of detail in the wording of "Two if by sea". It was a signal that the ground operation has started and they have to go. The soldiers had breakfast and set off to the planes and gliders.

the Launch of operation Varsity
Shortly after 7:00 took off the first aircraft. The last rise just before 9:00. 17. the division sent 9 387 members in the 72 aircraft [url=/topic/view/10832/Curtiss-C-46-Commando]C-46
, 836 aircraft and 906 gliders [url=/topic/view/45455/Waco-CG-4A-Hadrian]CG-4A. 6. the airborne division has sent out over 8 thousand men in almost eight hundred aircraft and 420 gliders. Both formations met in the sky in the area of Brussels. Escort them to ensure hundreds of allied escort fighters. Look at this report you didn't miss even a general Eisenhower or prime minister of Churchill. The first aircraft arrived over the area at 9:53. It was even a little earlier than planned. The weather was bright and sunny, but from the Rhine here, the writer part of the laid smoke screens.

Martial activity 6. airborne division
The first british unit on the site was 3. paradesantní brigade. Its 8., 9. and 1. canadian paradesantní battalion landed in the drop zone And. Came here on a strong fire from small arms and from antiaircraft guns caliber 20 mm. Despite the suffered loss, including the commander of the canadian battalion, with the brigade managed to clear the seskokovou zone and advance Diersfordtským through the woods to Schnappenberg, which 9. and 1. the canadian battalion occupied. At 13:45 the brigade reported to cast all of the targets. As another cat 5. paradesantní brigade, which was assigned seskokovou zone B. The visibility here was poor and the paratroopers took longer than the gathered. The area of the jump came after the fire of guns and mortars. However, the 7. paradesantnímu battalion after a time managed to clean up the area and 13. and 13. paradesantní battalion then occupied the individual objectives of the brigade. Then part of the brigade moved towards the Schnappenberg to clear the area to the west of the homestead, in which sidlil staff of the division, from the Germans. At 15:30 could the brigade to report the fulfillment of all tasks. The pilots of the gliders carrying members of the 6. a brigade of glider infantry had a problem because of the smoke and the fog, anti-aircraft fire, not to mention, to find a landing zone, however, most of the aircraft managed to land at the right place. Members of the brigade to secure intact all the three bridges over the Issel and with the help of 513. parachute regiment, which was here discontinued by mistake, the occupy Hamminkeln. The brigade has fulfilled all the assigned targets.

Fighting activities 17. airborne division
As the first landed 507. regiment. Jump to zone W. Because of the fog but part of the regiment, including the commander, she jumped at the Diersfordtu. Colonel Raff with part of the regiment went to the landing zone, and along the way eliminate the German artillery battery. Then, the unit began to perform assigned tasks, which she managed to finish around 14. hours. The assembly of aircraft carrying 513. the regiment was caught in a severe anti-aircraft fire and, in addition, the pilots had to also contend with fog and smoke. Regiment because he didn't land in the designated drop zone X, but in the area designated for the british 6th. a brigade of glider troops. Americans first took out several German artillery batteries, and then helped the British with the cast Hamminkelnu. The regiment despite the initial difficulties to meet its objectives, which reported also around two o'clock in the afternoon. Even the gliders and towing aircraft 194. the regiment came under fire and a number of them were destroyed or damaged. I still managed to land exactly in the landing zone. A hiccup was that there was a position of several German artillery batteries that opened fire. The americans but managed to eliminate and will soon announce the completion of the tasks.

completing tasks
Airborne division, despite some bad weather, fulfil all assigned tasks, a number of them shortly after the jump or landing. It was occupied by the village of Hamminkeln, secured all the intended bridges over the river Issel, cleaned Diersfordtský forest, including Schnappenbergu, and blocked roads, after which the Germans can move reinforcements to repel operation Plunder. The paratroopers while they encountered the strong position of anti-aircraft artillery, but on the other hand, is able to quickly locate and eliminate. The operation ended in a clear allied success.

the Procedure of the land forces
The danger of isolation of airborne forces was over even earlier than planned, because already 24. on the night of march managed to 15. (scottish) infantry division to establish a connection with 6. airborne divisions and around midnight already stood the first light bridge over the Rhine. 27. march already had Allies on the right bank of fourteen divisions, which are carried after twelve heavy bridges, which carry even tanks and other armored vehicles. This procedure the Germans popped in and couldn't put such a strong resistance, like in the Hochwaldském the woods. They tried a counterattack on the position of the airborne forces, but was repulsed, although for the price of disposal of one of the bridges over the Issel.


CONCLUSION
Losses
The losses to the airborne division suffered, were large, however, smaller than expected. The british division has deployed 7 220 members, of which was during the 24. march about 1 400 killed, wounded or lost. On the other hand took about 1 500 German soldiers. The american division has deployed 9 650 members, of which was during the 24. march of the roughly 1 300 killed, wounded or lost. The division captured approximately 2 000 Germans. Other losses the division experienced in the following days, for example 17. the division reported a period of 24.-29. march 1 346 victims. Air force lost 56 of the machine during landing and 16 other during subsequent supply.

Granted the highest honor
For extraordinary combat deployment have received three members of the allied armed forces, the highest military honours. Canadian corporal, deployed as an auxiliary nurse at 1. canadian parachute battalion, received the Victoria cross after that, despite the sustained zrnanení and risk his own life trying to provide aid and carry to safety a wounded members of the battalion. Private George J. Peters, 507. parachute regiment, posthumously received the Medal of honor for your attack on a German machine-gun position, which he disabled with the help of his rifle and grenades from the activity, and to allow for members of the regiment to be re-grouped and took the first assigned target. For a similar deed (and also posthumously) received the Medal of honor pfc Stuart With. Stryker of 513. parachute regiment, who carried out the attack on the gun emplacement, thereby allowing for others to have occupied a fortified position, whose part of this position was. Another Medal of honor was posthumously awarded to sergeant Clinton M. Hedrickovi, which is 28. march participated in the cast Lembeckého lock.

Appreciation
Operation Varsity was the largest airborne operation carried out in one day in one place. Surgery is generally considered successful. Indeed, met all specified targets and the overall target - paratroopers facilitate ground forces crossing the Rhine. Even the losses were smaller than had been estimated. Planners avoid a number of mistakes, which brought about the failure of operation Market-Garden. Yet there was also criticism. Questioned is primarily the need for surgery due to the fact that the allied units on the more southerly sections of the rhine a queue managed to river to cross. If the forces and means used there, could be the procedure into the interior of Germany to accelerate more..
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Operace-Varsity-t125861#430753 Version : 0
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