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Operation Varsity Low-Level Resupply

Title

Operation Varsity Low-Level Resupply

Description

One of three low-level missions flown by the 44th BG - of their 343 wartime missions.

Date

March 24, 1945

Collection Items

Gliders and Paratrooper Chutes Littering Landing Zone over Wesel, Germany as Part of Operation Varsity

Gliders and Paratrooper Chutes Littering Landing Zone over Wesel, Germany as Part of Operation Varsity

Low Level Resupply Mission, March 24, 1945, Chutes Dropping on Field

Low Level Resupply Mission, March 24, 1945, Chutes Dropping on Field

Varsity Supply Chutes Dropping from 506 Squadron Formation

Varsity Supply Chutes Dropping from 506 Squadron Formation

Note: Footage taken from Pellow's bomber

Supply Chutes Dropping Over Wesel

Supply Chutes Dropping Over Wesel

March 24, 1945, Low Level Resupply, Rhine Crossing, Farm,C rashed Bomber, Chute Hanging on Building

March 24, 1945, Low Level Resupply, Rhine Crossing, Farm,C rashed Bomber, Chute Hanging on Building

Operation Varsity Low Level Resupply 3/24/45 Chutes Dropping

Operation Varsity Low Level Resupply 3/24/45 Chutes Dropping

Notes: Immediately after the troop carrier planes set the airborne troops down at Wesel, B-24s followed with a supply drop during the airborne operation across the Rhine.

Still of supply chutes dropping from bombers, captured by Ursel Harvell, photographic officer, filming the mission

Still of supply chutes dropping from bombers, captured by Ursel Harvell, photographic officer, filming the mission

Low Level Resupply Mission, March 24, 1945, Supply Chutes after they Dropped

Low Level Resupply Mission, March 24, 1945, Supply Chutes after they Dropped

Supply chutes dropped by B-24s

Supply chutes dropped by B-24s

Leaving Continent, Cliffs of England Visible, March 24, 1945, Southern Comfort III

Leaving Continent, Cliffs of England Visible, March 24, 1945, Southern Comfort III

B-24 flying low over the Dutch countryside during the Operation Varsity low-level resupply mission. A windmill is visible below the bomber, showing how low the mission was flown.

B-24 flying low over the Dutch countryside during the Operation Varsity low-level resupply mission. A windmill is visible below the bomber, showing how low the mission was flown.

Enemy flak guns on the ground in vicinity of Wesel, Germany

Enemy flak guns on the ground in vicinity of Wesel, Germany

Burns and Right Wing into Target

Burns and Right Wing into Target

Burns Crew and Right Wing

Burns Crew and Right Wing

Harvell Varsity Footage - Still of Chandler and Burns Crew

Harvell Varsity Footage - Still of Chandler and Burns Crew

Operation Varsity Bombers Flying Low

Operation Varsity Bombers Flying Low

Low Level Resupply Mission, March 24, 1945, Looks Like Defensive Line

Low Level Resupply Mission, March 24, 1945, Looks Like Defensive Line

A downed C-47 is ablaze on the ground at Wesel, Germany, blowing black plumes of smoke during the Operation Varsity invasion.

A downed C-47 is ablaze on the ground at Wesel, Germany, blowing black plumes of smoke during the Operation Varsity invasion.

4/24/45. 506 Squadron Bombers fly over Norfolk near Holkem Hall.

4/24/45. 506 Squadron Bombers fly over Norfolk near Holkem Hall.

Down de Hatch, Clean Sweep, Big Headed Kid

Gliders landed on German fields in and around Wesel, Germany during the Operation Varsity invasion.

Gliders landed on German fields in and around Wesel, Germany during the Operation Varsity invasion.

Low Level Resupply Mission, March 24, 1945, Glider Landed in Field

Low Level Resupply Mission, March 24, 1945, Glider Landed in Field

Low Level Resupply Mission, March 24, 1945, Gliders Landed on Field

Low Level Resupply Mission, March 24, 1945, Gliders Landed on Field

Pontoon Bridge Across the Rhine

Pontoon Bridge Across the Rhine

Bridge over river Rhine and diagram orienting landmarks along the river

Bridge over river Rhine and diagram orienting landmarks along the river

Pontoon bridge erected across the Rhine after Operation Varsity

Pontoon bridge erected across the Rhine after Operation Varsity

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