Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 28, 2015 0:34:08 GMT 12
Of all the many veterans I have had the privilege to meet over the years, none have mentioned being involved in the operation that saw the crossing of the Rhine River into Germany, 70 years ago. I wonder how many kiiws were involved. Here's a great article that names some of them, from the Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 74, 28 March 1945:
DOMINION PILOTS IN HUGE AIR ARMADA
TOWED GLIDERS
New Regiment Of Airmen From R.A.F. And Army
N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, March 27.
"It was just like another exercise. The whole thing was done over our own territory, except for about six to eight minutes' flying time over enemy territory. There was little flak and we had terrific fighter cover," said Flight-Lieutenant M. Brott, of Kaitaia, one of the many New Zealand airmen who took part in the airborne offensive during the crossing of the Rhine.
Flight-Lieutenant Brott flew a Halifax bomber, which towed a Horsa glider containing one jeep and trailer, one motor bicycle and eight men in full fighting equipment. Operating from the same station were Squadron-Leader R. Jamieson, of Nelson, Warrant-Officer J. W. Bellingham, of Auckland, and Flight- Sergeant J. Jackson, of Wellington.
An interesting aspect of this airborne operation was that a new technique was used, which "foxed" the Germans, and was entirely different from those employed during the North African, Sicilian, Normandy and Arnhem landings.
Trained As Soldiers
Another interesting point was that the glider pilot regiment was comprised equally of Army pilots and pilots from the R.A.F. The latter had trained for two months to become soldiers and to fight on the ground as infantry once their gliders had touched down. It is not known yet whether any New Zealanders are in this regiment.
Squadron-Leader Jamieson was the most experienced New Zealander to take part in the Rhine operation. He joined the Airborne Division in July, 1942, and had been engaged in the Sicilian, Normandy and Arnhem operations. He rates the Sicilian operation as the most difficult, as it was carried out at night without navigational aids.
"We had a perfect day for crossing the Rhine," said Squadron-Leader Jamieson. "We took off at 8 a.m., and it took about one hour to form up. Crossing the Channel we were joined by other streams of gliders and bombers, and flying over France we met up with Americans flying Dakotas. It was a terrific sight as we flew across Belgium and Holland, with swarms of aircraft everywhere.
"So Many Aircraft About"
"We saw much drifting smoke as we approached the Rhine, which may have come from Wesel or from a smoke screen. This reduced visibility in the landing zone," continued Squadron-Leader Jamieson. "While we were crossing the Rhine there was quite a bit of light flakānot a barrage, but plenty of it.
"We saw a few boats crossing the river, but we did not have much time to sightsee with so many aircraft about. After a few words with our glider pilot over the inter-communication system he cast off, and we watched our Horsa enter the glider stream until it disappeared among all the others.
"Then we did a steep climbing turn to the left. Some flak followed us and burst underneath. We were not hit, but we saw another Halifax with two starboard engines afire. It crashed in flames on the edge of the Rhine. Our return flight was uneventful."
Glider See-Sawed
Flight-Lieutenant Brott, who took part in the Normandy airborne operation and flew twice in the Arnhem landing, said: "My aircraft was No. 347 in the stream, and as we approached the landing zone we could see a long line of bombers flying back towards England. We flew at about 2300 feet, not having a chance to go lower because there were so many aircraft about.
"It took us three hours ten minutes to reach the landing zone, and the total flying time was about five hours. The chief complication was trying to keep out of the slipstream from other towing aircraft. Our Halifax got caught a few times, with the result that it had a tendency to keel over, while our glider see-sawed about behind us. It was quite hard work, especially for the glider pilots.
"It was an amazing sight when we turned for home. There was a long stream of bombers ahead, while still flying up to the landing zone were bombers and gliders, stretching as far as the eye could see."
"Less Difficult Than Arnhem"
Flight-Lieutenant Brott gave it as his opinion that the Rhine landing was not as difficult as the Arnhem operation, from the point of view of towing aircraft. Squadron-Leader Jamieson, who was a student at the De Havilland school before the war, and hopes to return there, has also taken part in the dropping of supplies to the Maquis in France, and more recently to patriots in Norway and Holland. Flights to and from Norway last over nine hours. In addition to this work these Halifax squadrons have also been.in the recent bombing offensive against Germany's railway system, which has added variety to their work.
DOMINION PILOTS IN HUGE AIR ARMADA
TOWED GLIDERS
New Regiment Of Airmen From R.A.F. And Army
N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, March 27.
"It was just like another exercise. The whole thing was done over our own territory, except for about six to eight minutes' flying time over enemy territory. There was little flak and we had terrific fighter cover," said Flight-Lieutenant M. Brott, of Kaitaia, one of the many New Zealand airmen who took part in the airborne offensive during the crossing of the Rhine.
Flight-Lieutenant Brott flew a Halifax bomber, which towed a Horsa glider containing one jeep and trailer, one motor bicycle and eight men in full fighting equipment. Operating from the same station were Squadron-Leader R. Jamieson, of Nelson, Warrant-Officer J. W. Bellingham, of Auckland, and Flight- Sergeant J. Jackson, of Wellington.
An interesting aspect of this airborne operation was that a new technique was used, which "foxed" the Germans, and was entirely different from those employed during the North African, Sicilian, Normandy and Arnhem landings.
Trained As Soldiers
Another interesting point was that the glider pilot regiment was comprised equally of Army pilots and pilots from the R.A.F. The latter had trained for two months to become soldiers and to fight on the ground as infantry once their gliders had touched down. It is not known yet whether any New Zealanders are in this regiment.
Squadron-Leader Jamieson was the most experienced New Zealander to take part in the Rhine operation. He joined the Airborne Division in July, 1942, and had been engaged in the Sicilian, Normandy and Arnhem operations. He rates the Sicilian operation as the most difficult, as it was carried out at night without navigational aids.
"We had a perfect day for crossing the Rhine," said Squadron-Leader Jamieson. "We took off at 8 a.m., and it took about one hour to form up. Crossing the Channel we were joined by other streams of gliders and bombers, and flying over France we met up with Americans flying Dakotas. It was a terrific sight as we flew across Belgium and Holland, with swarms of aircraft everywhere.
"So Many Aircraft About"
"We saw much drifting smoke as we approached the Rhine, which may have come from Wesel or from a smoke screen. This reduced visibility in the landing zone," continued Squadron-Leader Jamieson. "While we were crossing the Rhine there was quite a bit of light flakānot a barrage, but plenty of it.
"We saw a few boats crossing the river, but we did not have much time to sightsee with so many aircraft about. After a few words with our glider pilot over the inter-communication system he cast off, and we watched our Horsa enter the glider stream until it disappeared among all the others.
"Then we did a steep climbing turn to the left. Some flak followed us and burst underneath. We were not hit, but we saw another Halifax with two starboard engines afire. It crashed in flames on the edge of the Rhine. Our return flight was uneventful."
Glider See-Sawed
Flight-Lieutenant Brott, who took part in the Normandy airborne operation and flew twice in the Arnhem landing, said: "My aircraft was No. 347 in the stream, and as we approached the landing zone we could see a long line of bombers flying back towards England. We flew at about 2300 feet, not having a chance to go lower because there were so many aircraft about.
"It took us three hours ten minutes to reach the landing zone, and the total flying time was about five hours. The chief complication was trying to keep out of the slipstream from other towing aircraft. Our Halifax got caught a few times, with the result that it had a tendency to keel over, while our glider see-sawed about behind us. It was quite hard work, especially for the glider pilots.
"It was an amazing sight when we turned for home. There was a long stream of bombers ahead, while still flying up to the landing zone were bombers and gliders, stretching as far as the eye could see."
"Less Difficult Than Arnhem"
Flight-Lieutenant Brott gave it as his opinion that the Rhine landing was not as difficult as the Arnhem operation, from the point of view of towing aircraft. Squadron-Leader Jamieson, who was a student at the De Havilland school before the war, and hopes to return there, has also taken part in the dropping of supplies to the Maquis in France, and more recently to patriots in Norway and Holland. Flights to and from Norway last over nine hours. In addition to this work these Halifax squadrons have also been.in the recent bombing offensive against Germany's railway system, which has added variety to their work.