Airborne Assault MuseumAs part of Operation Varsity, Hamilcar Glider 272 took off from Woodbridge airfield in Essex carrying a Bren Gun Carrier, an ammunition trailer and personnel from 716 (Airborne) Light Composite Company RASC.
The glider tug was a Halifax from 298 Sqn flown by Pilot Officer Mutton.
The glider pilot was S/Sgt Stan Pearson DFM and his co-pilot was Sgt Hugh Carling.
The glider crew comprised of the following 716 personnel: Sgt 'Paddy' Harrison, L/Cpl Coulder,Dvr H J Humphreys, Dvr A Pickering (killed in action later in the day), Dvr C J Fairbanks, Dvr T J Woolley.
They were accompanied by two further soldiers listed as AAC but most probably 22nd Ind Coy Pathfinders who later marked the LZs for the re-supply: Pte B Firth Sgt J Pritchard.
The post operation report states that Glider 272 was - 'Hit by flak - Fairly good landing - crashed through fence and lost wheel - No casualties.'
Image details
| Administrivia | Not printable - copyright restrictions |
|---|---|
| Copyright Credit | Photograph and manifests kindly supplied by John Ward |
| Date | 1st March 1945 |
