The untold story of the battle that helped end WW2 in Europe

[oldbrownhat]

BBC article here
Operation Varsity "was the battle that ended" World War Two in Europe, yet it is largely unknown to all but military history buffs.

British, Canadian and American forces took off mostly from Essex airfields on 24 March 1945, to be dropped directly on top of the German lines at the River Rhine.

Paratroopers and gliders packed with men descended into fierce fighting conditions which resulted in rapid success, but huge loss of life. About six weeks later, Victory in Europe was declared...

...Operation Varsity was the largest single airborne operation in history, with more than 16,000 men were dropped into western Germany on the same day.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

Not to take away from the valiant efforts of the Western Allies, but the Soviet conquest of Berlin had the greatest effect on ending the war.

 

[VaTom]

Yes. The American troops were the 17th Airborne Division. I worked with an older fellow for years here in SW Va. Quiet, unassuming. Never knew he was a paratrooper and jumped in Varsity until I attended his funeral. His family had his military items on display including his brown leather jump boots. He was a good man!