OPERATION VARSITY: AIRBORNE ASSAULT OVER THE RHINE RIVER

[32120Dns]

hmmm 3000 allie for kill 300 german...oh + 2000 russe

[Johanneshage]

@tcarson509 My grandpa was part of it as a "Volkssturmmann". In March `45 he knew that the war was lost and he wasn`t proud to fight for his country but he killed several british soldiers in action and dreamed of it 40 years later. After this he hated all kinds of banners you can die (or fight) for and 2 days after "varsity", he protected not his country, but my 10week old mother from an allied airraid.

He thought that God had to bless the 6.000 dead men (British, German, US, Canadian)

[tcarson509]

Very nice. My grandfather was part of this as a glider pilot in the 680th GFAB. He was 1st generation German-American and was proud to fight for his country. I remember growing up he always had the Stars and Stripes flying at his house and made sure I knew the Star Spangled Banner. God Bless you grandpa and all veterens for your sacrifices to protect our country.

[Olinka101]

Whats that song? Its beautiful.

[MissMe316]

Thank you so much for posting this. I believe my grandfather, Elbert Jella, shot the tank with a bazooka, thus earning the Silver Star.

Can't thank you enough!!!

[air17borne]

im participating in the re_enactment of operation varsity this year. i get to jump. its gonna be nice

[bongojohn22]

@air17borne ..your not serious!?...Im living in Rees, which is where you will be jumping,...thats mad!...

Pity i could not be over hamminkeln, but its really got alot of high power cabels and posts in the area.

Are you staying around long?...Have you time for a drink in our bar, the ´´Rheinterrassen-collins/tillm­ann´´ in Rees?...

Good luck!...

[fanofrhymeswithstar]

Bring back the gliders!

[95predator]

what about drones like global hawk

or the u2 plane?

[talon17th]

May have carried my father across the Rhine the dreadful day 24Mar45. God bless those fine young men...

[swiftwoshi]

My grandpa died there to +_+

[95predator]

Im sorry. Im german. I live at the lake of constanz, near to the rhine.

I wouldnt be happy if Hitler still governed, you can understand...

[bongojohn22]

@95predator You dont have to be sorry, its not ´´YOUR´´ fault.

[Norguy77]

@swiftwoshi R.I.P :C

[Johanneshage]

@talon17th

And my grandpa saw -as a German Soldier- the killing of hundreds of your fathers comrads by machine gun and antiaircraftguns. After this he saw the killing of hundreds of his comrads by the allied survivors -like your father-.

So what is god to bless....!!?

[Cullyn42]

Excellent video

[dirtyDielo]

great vid!!!!!!!!

[TacoSpock]

Nice video, looks like the troopers took out a German Stug III. Not an easy task. Thank you for your fathers service!

[LYAL650]

The Gretest Airborne Division the 17th! All Americans should never forget these men and their deeds.They paid a great price and we are forever in their debt,GOD BLESS the PIR/GIR "THUNDER FROM HEAVEN"

[danielrpotter]

Outstanding historical photos! Just what was that airplane/glider in the training photos?

[rminot1]

AIRBORNE(17th) All the Way