🇺🇲WWII uncovered: 17th Airborne Division: Operation Varsity.

🇺🇲WWII uncovered: 17th Airborne Division: Operation Varsity

Pictured below is the Robert Capa photo capturing 17th Airborne Paratroopers, their hair cut Mohawk-style for luck and esprit de corps, being briefed for the next day's jump across the Rhine. Arras, France, March 23, 1945.

According to the National Medal of Honor Museum: "Early in the morning on March 24, 1945, two airborne divisions, one American and one British, flew over the Rhine River. This was the first airborne mission ever conducted into Germany. The Rhine was the final barrier keeping Allied forces from the heart of Germany."

Over 16,000 paratroopers and several hundred aircraft were involved in Operation Varsity. The attack was launched in support of Operation Plunder, which planned to have Allied forces crossing the Rhine River in several places. The mission of the 17th Airborne was “to seize, clear and secure the division area with priority to the high ground east of Diersfordt and the bridges over the Issel River, protect the right flank of the Corps, establish contact with the British 1st Commando Brigade, and the British 6th Airborne Division.” The Germans knew the 17th was coming. Axis Sally, the German propaganda broadcaster, had been announcing over the radio “We know you are coming 17th Airborne Division, you will not need parachutes, you can walk down on the flak.”

Despite German preparations, and the promised flak, Operation Varsity was the first, and only, combat jump for the 17th Airborne Division and it was a resounding success. The Division routed the Germans from every position where they encountered enemy forces. After capturing their objectives, the paratroopers fought off fierce German counterattacks. Over 1,070 members of the 17th Airborne and the 6th British Airborne Divisions lost their lives and thousands more wounded on March 24, 1945. Operation Varsity was the single largest airdrop during the war, but also produced the worst day for casualties as well. This successful operation was the last major airborne paratroop drop of the war." (Source: National Medal of Honor Museum)

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