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Product Identifiers

PublisherStackpole Books

ISBN-10081170310X

ISBN-139780811703109

eBay Product ID (ePID)11038545547

Product Key Features

Book TitleLast Drop : Operation Varsity, March 24-25 1945

Number of Pages336 Pages

LanguageEnglish

TopicMilitary / World War II, Military / United States, Europe / Great Britain / General, Military / Aviation

Publication Year2008

IllustratorYes

GenreHistory

AuthorStephen L. Wright

FormatHardcover

Dimensions

Item Height1.3 in

Item Weight21.9 Oz

Item Length8.9 in

Item Width6.4 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

LCCN2007-038943

Dewey Edition22

TitleLeadingThe

Dewey Decimal940.54/2135534

SynopsisOperation Varsity was the last major airborne offensive of World War II and remains the largest and most successful drop in history In March 1945 Allied forces prepared for the final drive into Germany to end World War II., Operation Varsity was the last major airborne offensive of World War II. Conducted primarily by the British 6th Airborne and American 17th Airborne Divisions, and including Canadian elements, the goal of Varsity was to cross the Rhine River and gain a foothold for the final Allied drive into Germany. Drawing on war diaries, unit histories, after-action reports, and interviews with veterans, The Last Drop details the horrors of parachuting through flak-filled skies, the dangers of piloting a glider safely to the ground, and the struggles of infantry combat, and shows how thorough training, extensive planning, solid execution, and sheer guts combined to make Operation Varsity a stunning victory. About the Author: Stephen L. Wright is co-author of One Night in June (978-1-8403-7183-3). 37 b/w photos & 7 maps, Operation Varsity was the last major airborne offensive of World War II and remains the largest and most successful drop in history In March 1945 Allied forces prepared for the final drive into Germany to end World War II. Standing in their way were the Rhine River and, on the opposite bank, desperate German defenders ready to fight to the last man. Operation Varsity - the last major airborne assault of World War II and the largest airborne assault of all time - began on the morning of March 24 when a fleet of Allied transport planes took off from air bases in France and England. In addition to towing more than 1,300 gliders, the planes carried some 17,000 paratroopers from two Allied divisions- the Red Devils of the British 6th Airborne Division and the Thunder from Heaven of the U.S. 17th Airborne Division. While the 6th had parachuted into battle on D-Day, the 17th had never jumped in combat before. Their mission was to drop behind enemy lines near Wesel, Germany, and gain a foothold for the Allied ground troops who would soon pour across the Rhine. The Germans had reinforced the area with anti-aircraft artillery and greeted the invading armada with a firestorm of flak.Some Allied planes went down before troops could jump; others burned as paratroopers leapt from them. Upon hitting the ground, the soldiers regrouped, defeated sharp German resistance, and secured their objectives in the fields, forests, and villages around Wesel. Drawing on war diaries, unit histories, after-action reports, and interviews with veterans, The Last Drop captures Operation Varsity as it was experienced by soldiers in the sky and on the ground, from the horrors of parachuting from a C-46 or flying a glider through bursting artillery fire to the mental and physical punishment of infantry combat., Operation Varsity was the last major airborne offensive of World War II and remains the largest and most successful drop in history. Conducted primarily by the British 6th Airborne and the American 17th Airborne Divisions, including Canadian elements, the goal of the operation was to cross the Rhine River and gain a foothold in Germany. This book combines first-person accounts from veterans with action-packed narration to tell the story of the last drop., - First full-length history of the largest and most successful airborne offensive ever - Scores of eyewitness accounts from paratroopers, glidermen, pilots, and infantrymen plus details on planes, gliders, and equipment - Recounts the actions for which participants won two Medals of Honor, a Victoria Cross, and a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Operation Varsity was the last major airborne offensive of World War II. Conducted primarily by the British 6th Airborne and American 17th Airborne Divisions, and including Canadian elements, the goal of Varsity was to cross the Rhine River and gain a foothold for the final Allied drive into Germany. Drawing on war diaries, unit histories, after-action reports, and interviews with veterans, The Last Drop details the horrors of parachuting through flak-filled skies, the dangers of piloting a glider safely to the ground, and the struggles of infantry combat, and shows how thorough training, extensive planning, solid execution, and sheer guts combined to make Operation Varsity a stunning victory.

LC Classification NumberD757.W75 2008