大象传媒

I Allan Smith give permission for Valerie Oxford to add my written or transcribed material to the 大象传媒 People鈥檚 War Website: www.bbc.co.uk/ww2

Going to War in a Matchbox

I Was in the RAC until 1944 and then I transferred to the Glider Pilot Regiment to train as a pilot. I finished my training in October 1944. I helped to transport a platoon of Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry across the water to France. We flew at 2000 feet and ran into heavy fire over the River Issell. The objective of the mission was to capture 2 bridges to stop the Germans advancing. The Operation was called 鈥淥peration Varsity鈥�. The 6th Airborne Division and American 17th Air Division were also involved.

There were 440 British gliders, 900 American gliders, 1000 aircraft carrying Paratroopers, 4 Divisions and Seaborne, 2 Divisions Airborne. We landed 24,000 men in 40 minutes. The bridges were captured. 100 British glider pilots were killed, 150 were wounded. We took 15,000 prisoners.

The glider was as big as a 4 engine bomber. It could carry a 7 ton tank or truck. They were made by furniture manufacturers from wood and their nickname was the flying matchbox.

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