Manston’s role in Operation Market Garden, 17th September 1944
Believed to be before or during Operation Market Garden.
Updated and expanded for 2024 for the 80th Anniversary
But there is still more to add!
Because this post is now starting to turn into a bit of a monster with the amount of information, it is planned for it to be split up into multiple posts in the future, especially as there is more to be added as yet.
A slowing advance and a plan
By September 1944, both Paris and Brussels had been liberated through weeks of heavy and costly fighting through the Normandy fields and hedgerows, after the triumph of the D-Day landings in June. Victory for the allies seemed close, but as the push neared Germany’s borders, the German resistance stiffened and the broad front of the Allies became difficult to supply from the few ports that they controlled and the limited remaining rail network. The approaches to the port of Antwerp were still be cleared and recently captured Ostend and Dieppe had only limited cargo capacity. Only Cherbourg, some 450 miles from British positions and 400 miles from US forces in eastern France, was capable of handling a significant level of supplies. Allied commanders all understood that a stretched and vulnerable supply line could be a serious threat to their advance.
The commander of the British forces in Europe, General Bernard Montgomery (“Monty”), conceived the plan for a powerful, narrow thrust deep into German lines, which could have ended the war by Christmas 1944, but also stop the attacks on London by V2 rockets in the area. It was known that a general advance was out of the question until Antwerp could be cleared and that could allow the German’s valuable time to recover. Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander, however favoured a general move forward.
Operation “Market Garden”
Operation “Market Garden” was one of the boldest plans of World War II. The Operation “Market” part would consist of nearly 40,000 British, American and Polish airborne troops flown behind enemy lines to capture the eight bridges that spanned the network of canals and rivers on the Dutch/German border. Dropping by parachute and in gliders, these divisions would land near the Dutch towns of Eindhoven, Nijmegen and Arnhem. Operation “Garden” would be a simultaneous push up a narrow road by British tanks and infantry from the Allied front line that lead to these key bridges. They would relieve the airborne troops and cross the intact bridges.
Fifteen operations including airborne troops were planned and then cancelled which were to involve the British 1st Airborne Division, which unlike its sister division the 6th Airborne Division, hadn’t been required to protect the British flank after D-Day; they had been reserved as part of a contingency plan, Operation “Wasteage”, drawn up with the division parachuting in to support any of the five invasion beaches if serious delays were experienced. This plan turned out not to be required.
Operation “Comet”, conceived on the 2nd September and scheduled for the 8th September 1944 was to be the last in a line of delayed then cancelled airborne follow up operations to D-Day, some because ground forces had already reached the targets. “Comet” included British airborne and the Polish brigade, without American support, were then adapted to form Operation “Market Garden”, but retained the same objectives. “Comet” was cancelled on 10th September, seemingly on the protests by the Polish Commander, Major-General Stansilaw Sosabowski, British General Shan Hackett and General Roy Urquhart (1st British Airborne Division) who thought it would be a suicide mission, however it is thought to have been British General Miles Dempsey (commander of the Second British Army) who finally persuaded Montgomery to cancel “Comet”, four hours before it was to begin.
“Market” would be the largest airborne operation in history, delivering over 34,600 men of the 101st, 82nd and 1st Airborne Divisions and the Polish Brigade. 14,589 troops were landed by glider and 20,011 by parachute. Gliders also brought in 1,736 vehicles and 263 artillery pieces. 3,342 tons of ammunition and other supplies were brought by glider and parachute drop. The initial draft of the plan for “Market Garden” was conceived on the same day as “Comet” was cancelled.
The combined force had 1,438 C-47/Dakota transports (1,274 USAAF and 164 RAF) and 321 converted RAF bombers. The Allied glider force had been rebuilt after Normandy until by 16th September it numbered 2,160 CG-4A Waco gliders, 916 Airspeed Horsas (812 RAF and 104 US Army) and 64 General Aircraft Hamilcars. The U.S. had only 2,060 glider pilots available, meaning none of its gliders would have a co-pilot but would instead carry an extra passenger.
Problems even before it began
Although there were less objections to the much larger venture of “Market Garden”, with the original “Comet” force now being supplemented by two American airborne divisions and an increase in supplies, Sosabowski although happier, still had grave concerns. He expected there would be a higher enemy presence in the area than British intelligence suggested. Although eventually found to be correct, SS Panzer Divisions were only moved to the region by chance. He, probably amongst others, were aghast that the drop zones would be some miles from the bridges and the entire lift operation would take place over a period of three days because of the lack of aircraft and the decision to take a headquarters to the battle. Even at the outset, it was a plan where so much could go wrong.
Troops being readied were the 82nd and 101st US Airborne Divisions, 1st and 6th British Airborne Division, the Polish Independent Parachute Brigade Group and an SAS unit.
“Market Garden” was set to commence on Sunday 17th September 1944.
Lieutenant-General Browning, deputy to Lieutenant-General Brereton, who was in overall charge of the British and American airborne units and the transport units they required and a veteran of World War I, was anxious to command troops in battle before the war ended. Normal practice was for airborne divisions to be dropped independently but to come under the command of the relevant ground forces’ corps headquarters when a link-up was achieved, just as it had on D-Day. However Browning secured agreement that an airborne corps headquarters would take part in the operation, even though the three divisional drops would be scattered and the corps commander of the American forces was battle experienced at Normandy. Browning and his staff would fly in by glider and land in the middle of the three drop areas, near Nijmegen. This decision would not only come under scrutiny later because of the communication issues in the battle, but also the glider lift of the headquarters would require 38 tug aircraft from the limited force available.
The British 1st Airborne Division with the Polish Brigade were assigned to capture the main road bridge, a railway bridge and a pontoon over the Lower Rhine at Arnhem. It was hoped that they could be reached in three days or less by the Second British Army, starting 64 miles away at Neerpelt.
Preparations at Manston
The powered aircraft carrying parachute troops would consist of US C-47 Douglas Dakotas from Barkston Heath, Saltby and Spanhoe. The glider group would be towed by Short Stirlings from Harwell and Keevil, Halifaxes from Tarrant Rushton and Dakotas from Broadwell, Fairford, Down Ampney and Blakehill Farm.
RAF Manston was to be used by the Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles of No.296 and No.297 RAF Squadrons and gliders they were to tow, as their twin-engined aircraft could carry out a round trip to Arnhem with a fully loaded glider from their home airfield at Brize Norton.
3rd September 1944
At RAF Brize Norton, No.296 and No.297 RAF Squadrons and “B” Squadron of the Glider Pilot Regiment were standing by to move forward to Manston as part of Operation “Comet”, but were delayed by the bad weather.
No.296 Sqn ORB (Brize Norton) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
Plans were changed to-day and, after a morning watching pouring rain, the Squadron prepared to move to MANSTON. Persisting low cloud cancelled this work for the day. FLYING TIME. DAY 2hrs 30mins. NIGHT NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB (Brize Norton) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
No Flying.
Take off should have been at 09.00 hours on operation. Cancelled as L.Z. in South Holland captured by our ground forces. 14.00 hours Squadron should have taken off for Manston to carry out a further operation from there as a forward base. Postponed for weather."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1234:
1030 - Station ordered to move to MANSTON today ready to operate on Sept. 4th.
1430 - Move cancelled at Midday and Operation "LINNET" cancelled. Briefing for operation entailing landing by bridges at MAASTRICHT and LIEGE at HARWELL in evening. This Operation cancelled at midnight.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
The Bn slept late after its unexpected last minute reprieve.
1015 - The CO spoke to the Bn, saying that in our role we must expect such changes, and although every man was disappointed yet we must realise that we will be flown in at exactly the right time and such a tremendous force would not be committed at any other. The battle is going so well that our own armour had already reached RENAIX. The camp would be unsealed and recreational tpt would be provided to OXFORD. Hardly had these words left his mouth when a message was handed to him that the Bn must be ready to take off at 1400 hrs today on Operation "Linnet".
1145 - Operation "Linnet" again cancelled, the Bn First Lift to take off for Manston, Kent, at 1400 hrs, to give the Albemarle tugs additional range.
1230 - First Lift embus for the aerodrome, news received that the Brigadier and CO to attend Army "O" Gp at Moor Park Nr. Rickmansworth for a new operation.
1330 - Tps (first lift) emplane for Manston. Advance Party left by air (C47) ahead of them. Brigadier and CO flew to Moor Park.
1355 - As the gliders were being towed out to the runway, move cancelled, tps returned to Transit Camp Brize Norton. 3 3 tonner have already left for Manston with blankets and rations.
1915 - CO returned from Moor Park by Plane with orders for a new operation, area West of MAASTRICHT. The Bn areas allotted and one set of maps issued. LZs unknown to be received at 0600 hrs tomorrow; maps to be collected during the night.
1930 - All offrs briefed on the one set of maps we have. Take off for Manston will be at dawn, from Manston 1400 hrs tomorrow for Belgium.
2130 - Coordinates of LZs received, weather is bad with a high wind and squalls.
2150 - Map Party ready to leave for Newbury Map Depot, when word was received that Operation planned was cancelled. First lift to fly to Manston at dawn notwithstanding.
2215 - First lift flight to Manston cancelled. So ends the day in which the Bn has been briefed for two operations and three different flights and has seen a new word coined by the troops who complain that they are 'brief happy'. Field Return of Offrs 2 Sep 44. Field Return of ORs 5.1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery, RA
Moved by air to Manston R.A.F. Stn.4th September 1944
No.296 and No.297 RAF Squadrons plus “B” Squadron of the Glider Pilot Regiment were again delayed by the weather.
No.296 Sqn ORB (Brize Norton) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
The weather stepped in again. Heavy rain and low cloud kept us at BRIZE NORTON.
FLYING TIME. DAY. NIL. NIGHT. NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB (Brize Norton) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
No Flying.
Take off for Manston should have been at 09.00 hours postponed for weather. W/Cdr. Minifie visits Broadwell Bay. Rumour move to Stoney Cross postponed."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1234:
Move to MANSTON postponed on account of weather.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
Day spent in administration; baths, etc in the morning. In the afternoon ¾ all ranks proceeded to Oxford by M.T. and attended a cinema as an organised party. The remainder went to the RAF Cinema, Brize Norton.
2100 - Message received to standby to go to Newbury at 0100 hrs to collect maps.
2359 - Message received that maps are not to be collected until 1100 hrs Tuesday.5th September 1944
With a little improvement in the weather, 37 Horsa gliders from Brize Norton complete with airborne personnel arrived at Manston in the build-up to “Comet”. Initially set to leave at 0800 hrs, their move was postponed until 1100 hrs then to 1500 hrs. At 1500 hrs, the lift from Brize Norton commenced in very squally weather. D Company HQ glider (Major Phillip) failed to take off because of a defect in the tail of the glider. Another glider of B Company, with Lieutenants Norwood and MacDonald, crashed on take off, although no serious injuries were sustained. Both gliders were re-scheduled to take off the next day.
No.296 Sqn ORB (Brize Norton) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
The foul weather of the previous day gave way to a clearer day with wind of gale force. In these difficult conditions, after an advance party in one Albemarle had left to make preparations for our reception, the first lift of fully loaded Horsas was towed to MANSTON, which was to be the advance base for forthcoming operations. FLYING TIME. DAY. 37hrs 45mins. NIGHT. NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB (Brize Norton) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
First Glider lift to Manston.
Should have taken off 10.00 hours to Manston, postponed. 16.00 hours first lift on 29 aircraft took off with fully laden gliders for Manston, returning to Brize Norton after releasing gliders. E. J. Flavell had engine trouble on take off. Seeing that he could not get off, he throttled back ¾ way down the runway. Very little damage done to the aircraft, but ground staff attempted to move same, with no effect other than damaging a wing etc. So aircraft was left at end of runway whilst other aircraft took off."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
1500 - 1st Lift takes off for MANSTON in high wind. Only two combinations fail to arrive.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
First Lift were ready to embus for move to airfield at 0800 hrs when move was postponed until 1100 hrs.
1100 - Maps collected. 1st lift take off for Manston, Kent, postponed until 1500 hrs.
1500 - 1st lift take off in very squally weather. D Coy HQ Glider (Maj Phillp) did not take off owing to a defect in the tail of the glider. 13 Pl glider (B Coy - Lts Norwood & MacDonald) crashed on take off. No serious injuries sustained. All concerned took the matter very calmly and both gliders were scheduled to take off on Wednesday.
1700 - Maps reached Camp and were allocated to 1st and 2nd Lifts.6th September 1944
The next day, gliders and tugs full of men were ferried to Manston, ending up with thousands of airborne troops at the airfield and catering and accommodation severely strained. The remaining gliders from the previous day left Brize Norton at 0900 hrs. 13 Platoon of the 2nd South Staffordshire’s glider returned to Brize Norton after crash landing just outside of Oxford, again without casualties. Arrangements were made for this platoon to be transferred to Manston by road, with a replacement glider flown down in ballast. 56 aircraft from 296 and 297 Squadrons, towing their Horsa gliders eventually flew in to Manston.
No.296 Sqn ORB (Brize Norton/Manston) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
The wind had moderated and conditions were better for the second glider lift. In these two lifts by both squadrons nearly 100 gliders were ferried, loaded, to MANSTON. The rest of the day was spent in settling in. Our reception at MANSTON was excellent. With an organisation elastic enough for most emergencies the station accepted the detachment of two complete airborne squadrons and their component of airborne troops and most of this station’s headquarters in its stride. Throughout our stay there, squadron men never felt intruders and in all respects first class co-operation was given. The squadron’s sincere gratitude is officially recorded here. FLYING TIME. DAY. 68hrs 40mins. NIGHT. NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
Remaining lifts to Manston.
During morning and afternoon 30 aircraft took second lift of fully laden gliders to Manston. Manston a very busy aerodrome, about 12 squadrons of fighters there. The Squadrons drop in for a few days rest after operating in France. There are also several squadrons on anti-jet propelled glider bomb work. There are Spitfires, including Fleet Air Arm, Typhoons, Tempests, Coastal Beaufighters, Mosquitoes, day and night, Meteors. All personnel took only small-kit. The officers are billeted in Airmen’s Huts, double tier bunks, 50 to a Hut. The Senior N.C.O’s are billeted in the Station Church, issued four blankets a piece, sleeping on the floor and a few lucky ones with biscuits. The ground crews of 6297 Daily Servicing Squadron, and the Airborne troops are in tents. A dew came down by road, but it seems we did not bring enough M.T. The bulk came in gliders and Dakotas, supplied from R.A.F. Broadwell. 296 Squadron also accompanied us on a similar basis, with the Group Captain, Brize Norton, a few of Ops, flying control staff etc. Nothing was laid on today till a briefing at 21.30 hours. So many went to Margate or Ramsgate. It was found that being an evacuating area there was a plentiful supply of Ale!!"B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
1030 - 2nd Lift arrive at MANSTON. Telephonic communication with base very difficult2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
0900 - The remaining gliders took off for Manston. The C.O. flew with the Brigadier to receive orders at MOOR PARK. The 2 i/c and IO followed by road.
1630 - C.O. 2IC and IO returned.
1800 - Bde "O" Gp.
2000 - All operational officers still at Brize Norton briefed by CO on Operation COMET (FIFTEEN according to new form A just received).
2030 - Maj Lane arrived from HARWELL, having just arrived there from Manston with his Coy (Glider flight). The CO personally briefed Maj Lane in his 'Coup-de-Main'.
2300 - 13 Pl glider returned to Camp, having crash landed just outside Oxford. Again no casualties. Arrangements made for this Pl to go to MANSTON by road and a replacement glider to be flown down in ballast.
7th September 1944
Heavy rain the night before forced troops to evacuate their tents for dry accommodation. Rain continued until well after midday and created difficulties in being able to marshal gliders and tugs. Later that day, the Commanding Officer and Intelligence Officer from the South Staffordshire arrived by road at 1615 hrs and started the briefings for “Comet” at 1700 hrs, only for it to be postponed at 2230 hrs for 24 hours.
No.296 Sqn ORB (Manston) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
The weather was foul. Heavy rain fell throughout the day and briefing took place later in the day. Marshalling began at 19.15 in the evening. Ground had become soggy and some aircraft and gliders were bogged. The resultant exodus from the mud was somewhat chaotic, and nightfall caught us out with marshalling incomplete and some machines still bogged and others facing one another nose to nose or in other impossible positions. A postponement of the operation enabled us to go to bed and leave things as they were – in chaos but to be sorted out in daylight, next day. FLYING TIME. DAY. 1hr 35mins. NIGHT. NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
No news came through in the morning of any operations. However during the night heavy rain set in. 90% of the tents were flooded. After some “flapping” the “irks” were assembled in the Cinema mostly wet through, but cheerful as they had at last an operational job to do. Fires were got going and, as important, a rum nation issued. They are to continue to sleep in the Cinema which causes inconvenience as this is allocated as our briefing room. It continued to rain hard all day till 16.00 hours. Briefing took place at 17.00 hours for the first lift to take off at 05.00 hours. Marshalling then started. The gliders were then marshalled half way down the runway, instead of the end, which in spite of it being 3,000 yards was a bit of “tall order”. But worse was yet to come. The aircraft and gliders had been parked on grass. Several gliders and about half the aircraft were bogged. By 20.00 hours it had not been possible to move these. About this time news came through that the operations was postponed 24 hours for weather. Before this various other panics had started. An order came through from Group to add another six aircraft to the first lift. A rumour that take off was postponed 2 hours, etc."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
Raining very heavily. Briefing for Operation "COMET" in station cinema. Roof of improvised "Ops" Room leaks. All troops very wet. Operation to consist of 1 Air. Div. on bridges at ARNHEM, NIJMEGEN and GRAVE, "B" Squadron land near GROESBEEK and advance with 2nd South Staffs into Nijmegen. Same loads as for "LINNET". All Gliders deeply bogged. S/Sgt. Hooper arrives with No.13 Platoon having had two tug failures on successive days entailing forced landings. His third effort was successful.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
1000 - CO left for MANSTON by road.
1030 - "O" Gp for 2nd lift, who were briefed by Maj Commings.
1515 - A Coy reloaded with 6 special gliders for their task. Remainder of day spent in briefing 2nd lift personnel.
2300 - Operation postponed for 24 hrs.
2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1375:
After a night of heavy rain, most of the troops were compelled to evacuate their tents for drier accommodation. The rain continued until well after mid-day, rather dampening everyone's spirits. The CO and IO arrived at 1615 hrs, with details of operation. General briefing of officers at 1700 hrs. Coy Comds special briefing after, then down to NCOs and men. Rather hurriedly carried out. At 2230 hrs news received that operation was postponed 24 hrs. Ground bogged. Unable to martial gliders and tugs.8th September 1944
“Comet” was again postponed, for tactical reasons. Crews were involved in extracting their aircraft from the sodden airfield.
Despite Manston’s long runway and large dispersal area, the airfield was still crowded. There were 12 RAF and Fleet Air Arm squadrons stationed there, mostly fighter squadrons operating against the V-1 flying bombs, or standing by to either escort the air armada to carry out supporting operations on German installations such as flak sites. Such was the strain upon the resources of the airfield that on 8th September, an Albermarle and a Horsa was flown back to Brize Norton to return with a load of WAAF waitress reinforcements.
No.296 Sqn ORB (Manston) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
Chaos was duly sorted out. Some aircraft were air tested and something like order and sanity was well established. However there was another postponement and crews went to bed with sinking spirits. FLYING TIME. DAY. 7hrs 50mins. NIGHT. NILNo.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
Briefing at 08.00 hours. The only orders given were for all aircrews to report to Dispersal to help un-bogging aircraft and assist in daily inspections. Un-bogging took place without incident and marshalling of aircraft and gliders was completed by 15.00 hours. A few air tests were flown. A spare Albemarle arrived from Brize Norton. A tug and glider were sent to Brize Norton and brough back extra Waitresses etc. to help in the Messes who have coped very well. Briefing at 18.30 hours. No change of L.Z.’s but take off put back an hour till 06.37 hours. About 20.00 hours “rumour” again got busy. The airborne troops had received word the “show” was postponed 24 hours. The R.A.F. did not receive confirmation till 21.30 hours, all very dis-heartened especially the airborne troops who have been waiting since D-Day for some operations."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
Operation "COMET" postponed 24 hours.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
1000 - Additional briefing for all 2nd lift glider commanders - further air photographs available. All ranks had baths in the morning and went to RAF Station cinema in the afternoon. 1500 - Times for take off were put back 45 minutes for 1st lift. 2100 - Operation postponed for 24 hrs.
2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1375:
The 24 hrs cancellation proved rather a blessing. The Coy Comds were able to brief their men thoroughly, and altogether get a really good idea of the job on hand. Everyone seemed well keyed up for the Op. However, at approx 1700 hrs new gen came in through Bde, which rather upset our plans. CO in consultation at Bde 2100 hrs, operation postponed for tactical reasons. Another night's undisturbed sleep.9th September 1944
Crews and troops by then used to the postponements expected another, which indeed happened for a further 48 hours. Six gliders and crews went up in the afternoon to test a new take-off system which worked well.
No.296 Sqn ORB (At Manston) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
There was little to do on this day. All was ready for the operation and was left so with the exception of a few air tests. But in view of the fact that most aircrew had expected a stay at MANSTON of no more than 48 hours, the need for clean laundry was felt. Socks were, so to speak, ceasing to be confidential and an aircraft was dispatched to base to fetch a few of the more vital needs. The technicians also needed spares, and the aircraft returned with a useful and welcome load. There was yet another postponement and the morale thermometer sank another degree. FLYING TIME. DAY. 2hrs 10mins. NIGHT. NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
A nice sunny day. About mid-day crews stood down till 18.00 hours. At 18.00 hours stood down till 10.00 hours tomorrow. So many want out to Margate and Ramsgate for an evening party."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
Operation "COMET" postponed 48 hours.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
Another day of waiting - weather here perfect for gliding. Morning spent in bathing, afternoon on maintenance of vehicles in gliders, remainder played football & basketball, etc.
2115 - Operation postponed for 48 hrs. No official reason given. All heavy loads ordered to be unloaded on Sunday, starting at 1330 hrs for 2nd lift. Reloading to start at same time Monday.
2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1375:
A rather quiet morning. Everyone seemed to think further postponement likely. A rather mild surprise at 1215. Six gliders and crews were to go up in the afternoon for testing a new take off system. The new system worked beautifully. No complaints anywhere. At 0915 hrs word received official postponement for yet another 48 hrs. Tactical reasons.10th September 1944
After a church parade at 1100 hrs, word was received in late afternoon that “Comet” had been cancelled. At 1730 hrs, the South Staffordshire troops were allowed out of the camp, although few took up the offer down to having plenty of foreign currency, presumably ready for the operation, but no English money.
No.296 Sqn ORB (At Manston) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
In view of the previous day’s postponement, aircrews were stood down for the day. Morale therefore went up a little and good weather enabled most people to spend a pleasant day away from the whirl of activity, which was MANSTON. FLYING TIME. DAY. 3hrs 20mins. NIGHT. NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
10.00 hours stood down till 24.00 hours. A lovely day, many spent the afternoon on the Beach at Margate. 17.00 hours the army received word from Brigade that the show is cancelled, by 38 Group still said it was on. Aircrews then planned to drop their tow-ropes on the Germans hoping to inflict heavy casualties."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
Operation "COMET" cancelled.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
Another glorious autumn morning. 0915 - "O" Gp. Details of unloading and reloading, cinema, bath & games organisation discussed.
1245 - Unloading party left in MT for BROADWELL.
1615 - Operation COMET cancelled. Operation 16 brewing up. Camp unsealed, men went to Oxford in our transport.
2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1375:
Another quiet morning. "O" Gp conference 1030 hrs. Church Parade 1100 hrs. Word received late afternoon (official) "operation scrubbed". 1730 hrs - Bn allowed out of camp. Not many took advantage. Reason - financial difficulties, plenty of foreign currency, no English money.11th September 1944
The South Staffordshire’s Commanding Officer and Intelligence Officer returned to Brize Norton. At Manston, a field cashier arrived in the afternoon to exchange the foreign currency leading to a larger influx of airborne troops into the local towns.
No.296 Sqn ORB (At Manston) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
Continual postponements had led to a change of plan. Gliders were removed from the marshalling point and aircraft, with most of the ground crew, returned to base. What MANSTON thinks of us we do not know, we do know that we appreciate what they did and are doing. FLYING TIME DAY. 38hrs 50mins. NIGHT. NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
Returned from Manston.
11.00 hours started returning to Brize Norton. Gliders left behind. The operation to L.Z. at 8 miles East of NIJMEGEN – HOLLAND cancelled. But we are still standing by at Brize Norton to return to Manston at very short notice for an operation to another L.Z."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
Tugs and tug crews return to Brize Norton. Squadron liaise with Navy M.T.B's. and A.S.R's. at RAMSGATE.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
1230 - All units in camp paraded and the Bde Comd spoke to all ranks on the reason for the recent operations, postponements and cancellations. He mentioned leave and said that there was no possibility of any at the moment. Recreational tpt to Oxford in the evening.
1730 - CO and IO returned to camp from Manston.
2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1375:
Still all quiet. Good news. Field Cashier to arrive in afternoon. Foreign currency exchanged. The influx of Airborne Tps into Margate, Ramsgate, etc, much larger this evening after being given English currency. At 1430 hrs IO left by plane for Brize Norton at 1500 hrs, CO did likewise. Maj Phillip takes over command Manston detachment.The Aircraft involved at Manston
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.41 Albemarle
The Albemarle was originally designed as a medium bomber to fulfil the Air Ministry’s Specification B.9/38, in January 1938 for a “Twin-engine medium bomber of simple construction using materials other than light alloy wherever possible”; so an aircraft that could be built of wood and metal without using any light alloys which would further increase the requirements for critical aluminium. Even while the specification was being drawn up with feelers put out to Armstrong Whitworth, Bristol and De Havilland to see if they were interested in bidding, the Air Ministry decided to change the specification from a pure bomber to a long-range reconnaissance aircraft with bombing ability.
The AW.41 was initially designed with Rolls-Royce Merlin engines in mind, but during the initial design phase, altered to use Bristol Hercules radials.
It performed its maiden flight on 20th March 1940, but its entry to service was delayed by the redesign and technical issues, with the first RAF squadron to operate the Albemarle, No. 295 at RAF Harwell, not receiving it in any quantity until January 1943. Because superior bombers such as the Vickers Wellington were already in use in quantity, all plans for using the Albemarle as a bomber were abandoned and instead the aircraft that was now out of date and lacked the performance of other aircraft at that time in the war, was to become a transport, glider tower and paratroop delivery vehicle as partially intended during development. The original plan had been for all one thousand of the original order to be delivered by January 1942.
It was first used in battle in July 1943 during the invasion of Sicily as a glider tug. It is also credited with dropping the first allied troops of D-Day, dropping the pathfinders of the British 6th Airborne Division early on the morning of 6 June 1944.
The Albemarle’s radius of action with a glider was 800 miles at 130 knots and for parachuting (carrying 10 parachutists who dropped through an aperture in the fuselage floor). 602 Albemarles were built, two prototypes and then 32 of the original bomber variant, after which all the others were built as transports.
Airspeed Horsa Glider
In WWII gliders were the only way of delivering large loads including Jeeps, trailers, anti-tank and AA guns, complete with ammunition and crews, into restricted spaces.
The Horsa was made up of thirty separate parts primarily made out of wood, so was built by furniture manufacturers all over the country and the parts were then assembled by 41 Group RAF Maintenance Units. The Horsa Mark I was loaded through a port side door-ramp and could carry 28 fully armed soldiers.
Airspeed Limited received the Air Ministry’s specification X.26/40 for a glider in December 1940 after seeing the success of German troops moved by gliders during the early stages of Blitzkrieg. Five prototype gliders were built at Airspeed’s Portsmouth factory and they were used by the British Army during their trials and these became known as the AS.51 Horsa.
The first official prototype flight was in September 1941, piloted by Wing Commander Wilson of the Royal Aircraft Establishment and towed by a Whitley bomber. Soon after this date, they went into full service with the RAF after what was a relatively short development schedule.
The name Horsa was chosen to follow the British convention of naming gliders with names beginning with the letter ‘H’ of historical characters, ‘Horsa’ from the Saxon king.
Previous operations by the Horsa were initially on the night of November 19/20 1942 in the unsuccessful attack on the German Heavy Water Plant at Rjukan in Norway (Operation Freshman).
The first major use of the Horsa was in July 1943 for the invasion of Sicily and it also played a very important part in the D-Day landings when they were used by both the British and Americans. In August 1944, they were used in the the largely forgotten invasion of Southern France known as Operation Dragoon.
Waco CG-4 Hadrian Glider
The Waco CG-4/Hadrian Glider was designed by the Waco Aircraft Company located in Troy, Ohio, United States and built by 16 prime contractor companies in the United States. It could carry 13 troops and their equipment or cargo loads could be a ¼ ton truck (i.e. a Jeep), a 75 mm howitzer, or a ¼ ton trailer, loaded through the upward-hinged nose section. Designated CG-4 by the American forces, it was given the service name Hadrian (after the Roman emperor) by the British.
It found favour in situations where its small size was a benefit. The larger Airspeed Horsa could carry more troopers (seating for 28 or a jeep or an anti-tank gun), and the British General Aircraft Hamilcar could carry 7 tons (enough for a light tank), but the CG-4A could land in smaller spaces.
The Waco CG-4A went into operation in July 1943 during the Allied invasion of Sicily and participated in the American airborne landings in Normandy on 6th June 1944.
The warnings before Market Garden
On 12th September 1944, Major Brian Urquhart (a chief intelligence officer in the British Army) briefed the brigadiers, brigade majors, commanders and staff officers. When the plan was relayed down to the 1st Battalion officers, they objected without exception to the dropping zone because of its distance to the bridges. A request was sent to higher command to drop closer to the objective, but it was refused.
With the airborne assault only five days away, Urquhart’s doubt about Operation Market-Garden resembled near panic. He had presented the Twenty-first Army Group’s intelligence summary to General Browning and his operations officer, Colonel Gordon Walch. Largely because Dempsey’s report lacked any kind of confirmation and was, therefore, deemed vague, Urquhart recalled, “They said that I should not worry unduly, that the reports were probably wrong, and that in any case, the German troops were refitting and not up to much fighting.”
Urquhart became increasingly alarmed, firstly at the German preparations, as there were intelligence reports that two SS panzer divisions were in the operations area of the 1st Airborne Division. In fact, the primary units of the II SS Panzer Corps, the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions, had been ordered to the Arnhem area by Field Marshal Walther Model, commander of the German Western Front, on 3rd September 1944. Their presence near Arnhem was reported by the Dutch Resistance and had been mentioned in Twenty-first Army Group’s intelligence summary on 10th September. Dutch Resistance groups regularly provided disconcerting and coherent reports about the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions. The information usually came through the British Second Army via resistance line crossers and Dutch liaison officers working with the I Airborne Corps.
In addition, shortly before the start of Operation Market Garden, British codebreakers at Bletchley Park intercepted and decrypted a number of German messages that supported the resistance reports. These intercepts included information about the presence of an assault gun regiment and the headquarters of Field Marshal Model’s Army Group B near Arnhem. This evidence was still regarded as “thin” because the units were unidentified, with strength unknown, and no one knew whether they were being refitted or merely passing through. However, on 5th September, a report specifically mentioned that the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions were ordered to Arnhem to rest and refit. Amid these disparate sources of information, Urquhart “was really very shook up.”
The troops of the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions were veterans who had suffered heavy losses during the fighting in Normandy. Both divisions included armoured elements, which significantly outgunned lightly armed airborne troops. The Supreme Allied Headquarters Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) weekly intelligence summary (produced by Maj. Gen. Kenneth Strong, the SHAEF G2) for the week ending 16th September 1944, stated that the divisions were being equipped with new tanks from a depot in nearby Cleve, Germany.
The British paratroopers carried light weapons, their primary defence against enemy armour being the PIAT (projector, infantry, anti-tank), which was a 34.5 pound device that threw a 2.5-pound bomb up to 100 yards. Also, the 1st Airborne at Arnhem was to be equipped with a few armoured jeeps and 6-pounder antitank guns landed by glider. More than any other factor, the presence of crack German armoured divisions rearming and refitting contributed to the virtual destruction of the 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem and the strategic failure of Operation Market Garden.
Major Brian Urquhart attempted to point out the danger of a build-up of German armour in and around Arnhem. Reports included information that two SS Panzer divisions were believed to be in the area. None of the reports were precise, so Urquhart ordered photo reconnaissance by a Spitfire, which provided prints of modern Mark III and Mark IV tanks close to Arnhem. When he rushed five oblique-angle pictures from an “end of the run” strip taken by one of the Spitfires to his British superior, Lt. Gen. Frederick A.M. “Boy” Browning, the general was unimpressed. Hundreds of aerial photographs of the Arnhem area had been taken and evaluated in the previous three days, but only these five shots showed the unmistakable presence of German armour. Browning said, “I wouldn’t trouble myself about these if I were you. They’re probably not serviceable at any rate.”
On 15th September, Urquhart was forced to take leave by Col. Austin Eagger, a medical officer who cited Urquhart as suffering from “hysteria” and “nervous exhaustion.” If Urquhart refused to take leave, he was told he would be arrested and court-martialled.
Unlike Browning and others at I Airborne Corps headquarters, General Walter Bedell Smith, chief of staff to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, took the matter gravely enough to recommend strongly that not one but two airborne divisions be employed at Arnhem to counter the threat. With Eisenhower’s permission, Smith personally voiced his concerns to Montgomery, who “ridiculed the idea and waved my objections airily aside.” Thus, Montgomery failed to take either the intelligence or its implications seriously. Others were likewise concerned, but their opinions went unheard in the run-up to the launch of Operation Market-Garden.
All the initial planning was convinced that there would be little resistance from the Germans, but perhaps General Browning just saw it as being too late. No warnings of the Panzers were sent to the commanders before they took off.
In his subsequent memoir, A Life in Peace and War, Urquhart wrote:
It was, of course, inconceivable that the opinion of one person, a young and inexperienced officer at that, could change a vast military plan approved by the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of Britain, and all the top military brass, but it seemed to me that I could have gone about it more effectively. I believed then, as most conceited young people do, that a strong rational argument will carry the day if sufficiently well supported by substantiated facts. This, of course, is nonsense….
The Arnhem tragedy had a deep and permanent effect on my attitude to life. Before it, I had been trusting and relatively optimistic, with a self-confidence that was sometimes excessive. After it, I doubted everything, tended to distrust my own as well as other people’s judgment, and became deeply sceptical about the behaviour of leaders. I never again could quite be convinced that a great enterprise would go as planned or turn out well, or that wisdom and principle were a match for vanity and ambition.
In Richard Attenborough’s subsequent 1977 film adaptation of the best-seller “A Bridge Too Far” by Cornelius Ryan, Brian Urquhart’s character was renamed to “Major Fuller” in the film to avoid confusion with the British general Roy Urquhart (as played by Sean Connery), the commander of the 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem.
Back to the long wait
From the 12th to the 16th September 1944, Personnel of the South Staffordshire were either on leave or carrying out PT and games.
12th September 1944
No.296 Sqn ORB (Brize Norton) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
The normal routine of our base aerodrome was somewhat more restful than MANSTON, but at night four aircraft operated. Of the three on supply dropping sorties, one flown by F/O TOCKER met with success, but F/O. STEWART and F/O. BAGLOLE were unsuccessful. F/O. FORSTER went loaded with paper, in search of the Channel Islands. Prior to the Squadron’s detachment at MANSTON, W/CDR. T.C. MUSGRAVE, O.B.E. was attached from 38 Group H.Q. He stayed with us during our stay there and on this day it was announced that he was assuming command of the squadron in place of W/CDR. D.L. McMONNIES, who is off to WASHINGTON to work for M.A.P. The squadron is pleased to welcome as C.O. a man whose claim to long service in this type of work bids fair to rival that of the C.O. it has lost. FLYING TIME. DAY. 2hrs 55mins. NIGHT. 18hrs.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
There was a little flying activity during the day. One aircraft proceeded to Hampstead Norris, a second to Manston and a third aircraft carried out a training cross-country flight for the benefit of a new crew just posted to the Squadron. In addition 3 aircraft were air-tested. Night flying – The Squadrons latest crew – pilot W/O Norbury – carried out a ? 2 ½ hours training cross country. Still Standing by at Brize Norton. No days off or leave but camp unsealed. This move of the whole Station to Stoney Cross is now definitely cancelled."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
Five conflicting orders received between 1200 and 1600 hours regarding Glider unloading.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
0915 - Warning Order received from Bde. Additional maps for operation "Market" may have to be collected from Bde HQ at 1500 hrs 12 Sep. Previous allocation of maps are to be retained, and it appears that this new operation will be in the same area as "Comet".
1730 - Order received from Bde saying Bn should be prepared to send all personnel on a leave. The leave to consist of four nights at home. This will be confirmed later. The news spread round the camp and caused great excitement. Best suits are being pressed and leave passes prepared.
2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1375:
Everything peaceful. Weather glorious. Warning order for Bde. Additional maps for operation "Market".13th September 1944
No.296 Sqn ORB (Brize Norton) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
On this day the squadron was not very active. Aircraft were serviced in case of any urgent calls to arms, but the only aircraft to operate was flown by F/O. TATTERSALL, who carried out another nickelling operation over the Channel Islands. FLYING TIME. DAY. 7hrs 30mins. NIGHT. 2hrs 40mins.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
One aircraft proceeded to Ashbourne, during the afternoon, otherwise the days flying was restricted to air-tests. At night one aircraft carried out a 2 ½ hours cross-country in connection with the training of one of the Squadrons new crews."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
Gliders eventually unloaded.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
1000 - Bde "O" Gp. CO briefed by Bde Comd on Operation "MARKET". Only 2IC and IO to be briefed at the moment, no general briefing until loading starts. Although the leave has not been cancelled, there seems little prospect of it coming off on the eve of an operation.
1600 - Orders received that all personnel may take a 24 hr leave only. All leave to be over by 1200 hrs 15 Sep. There was feverish activity preparing passes and paying out 'once again'. Trucks were run to OXFORD for personnel who wished to go on leave the same evening.
2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1375:
1000 - Bde "O" Gp. CO briefed by Bde Comd on Operation "Market". No general briefing until loading starts. Brize Norton personnel given 24 hr passes.14th September 1944
No.296 Sqn ORB (Brize Norton) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
The C.O. set out for a reconnaissance of EARLS COLNE, which is to be our base at some future date, but the clerk of the weather in collusion with the Station Meteorological Officer arrange for a patch of low stratus to cover the area and a landing was impossible. FLYING TIME. DAY. 5hrs 40mins. NIGHT. NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
There was again little flying activity during the day. One aircraft carried out an air-firing sortie off Hartland Point, and another aircraft carried out fighter affiliation sortie. In addition one aircraft proceeded to Manston.
W/Cdr. J.R. Grice and crew F/O. W.J. Arnott, Nav – P/O. J.B. Dawson, W/Op.Air – F/O. D.M. Spencer, Air Gunner – F/O. H.W. Hill, Bomb Aimer arrived from 570 Squadron. He is taking over command of the Squadron from W/Cdr. J.G. Minifie who is posted to 42 OTU, as C.I. having completed an operational tour. Although ‘all’ are sorry to lose W/Cdr. Minifie, we are pleased to have W/Cdr. Grice back as he was a Flight Commander in the Squadron a year ago."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
Major Toler, Capt. Neale and Lieut. Barclay return to Brize Norton.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
The camp has a very deserted look today. The only people left are people who were unable to get home in the short time, and personnel on duty. Recreational tpt was arranged to OXFORD for the afternoon, for personnel still in camp. All "O" Gp from the 1st lift at MANSTON returned to camp during the day, for COs "O" Gp tomorrow.
2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1375:
Things very quiet at Brize Norton. "O" Gp arrive from Manston for briefing and fly back.15th September 1944
No.296 Sqn ORB (Brize Norton to Manston) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
Things moved quickly from breakfast time onwards and by nightfall the squadron had once again picked up the threads at MANSTON. Once again the station met our requirements with extraordinary efficiency, even to adequate stocks in the bar of the Officer’s Mess. FLYING TIME. DAY. 33hrs 25mins. NIGHT. NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
Latest rumours is that Station Headquarters and 2 Squadron (296 & 297) are to move to Earls Colne in the near future, taking over from the Americans. The advance party should have moved today, but cancelled at the last moment. 11.00 hours warning received that all aircraft and aircrews to proceed again to Manston. 13.45 hours, 28 crews plus 2 attached from O.R.T.U. Hampstead Norris started taking off. Billets are much the same as before. But the Senior N.C.O’s have been put in Huts with beds. Allowed out of Camp until 24.00 hours. Many went to sample Kentish Ales."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
Briefing for Operation "MARKET" at HARWELL. Same as Operation "COMET" but 1st Air. Div. landing at ARNHEM. 1 Flight of "B" Squadron are to proceed from ARNHEM Area after landing to increase to local protection for Corp. H.Q. at NIJMEGEN. Remaining Glider Pilots to remain with loads. Major Toler and Capt. Neale return to MANSTON.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
1300 - Maj-Gen R.E. URQUHART DSO, GOC Div visited the camp and stayed to lunch.
1330 - Loading parties of 2nd lift left camp.
1400 - COs "O" Gp for Operation "Market". Area of ARNHEM, North of NIJMEGEN in HOLLAND. Weather is very fine at the moment and the troops are doing PT and games.
1700 - All "O" Gp of 1st lift left camp to fly back to MANSTON.
2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1375:
Brize Norton and Manston parties loading. Weather very fine.16th September 1944
The South Staffordshire’s Commanding Officer and Information Officer returned by plane from Brize Norton.
No.296 Sqn ORB (Manston) - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
The day was spent in briefing, marshalling and air tests for OPERATION “MARKET”. Some information about the type of plan to be put into operation had been gleaned from briefings for the operation’s predecessors which had had to be cancelled. The Group was to combine with the U.S.A.A.F. for the first time since the formation of the Airborne Army in launching the largest airborne operation yet attempted. The Squadron’s role was to convey a part of the British 1st Airborne Division in HORSA and WACO gliders to the ARNHEM area in Holland. We were scheduled to take par in two lifts and maximum serviceability was essential to success. Crews retired to their beds at a reasonably early hour, took advantage of an hour gained by the change from British Double Summer Time, and were all set for the next day. FLYING TIME. DAY. 0hrs 40mins. NIGHT. NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
09.00 hours briefing. Security and “pep” talk by the Group Captain of Brize Norton. All crews proceeded to their aircraft to see they are 100% O.K. 17.00 hours main briefing."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
Loading completed. Briefing for Operation "MARKET".2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
0845 - Briefing of 2nd lift commenced and camp sealed.
1400 - CO and IO left for MANSTON by plane.
2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1375:
General briefing all day. Everyone in good spirits. Take off 17 1030hrs.“Market Garden” Operations from Manston
The First Lift
17th September 1944
The first lift started for Holland at 1030 hours. At Manston, No.296 and No.297 Squadrons made the largest contribution in aircraft numbers, dispatching 28 Albermarles each. No other RAF squadron managed more than 25.
No.296 Squadron towed 21 Horsas and seven Wacos to Arnhem (other reports suggest different figures) without loss. Four Horsas went to LZ-S, the remainder to LZ-Z, while a further three aircraft flew to Nijmegen with Waco gliders carrying elements of 1st British Airborne Corps HQ.
No.297 Squadron towed 25 Horsas to both of the landing zones at Arnhem, with a further three to Nijmegen with Waco gliders carrying sections of 1st British Airborne Corps HQ. The Manston glider loads were anti-tank and light artillery, part of the 2nd South Stafford’s infantry and four Waco gliders carried the American signalling teams brought forward from the second lift, towed by four Albemarles that flew in the morning from a reserve unit. Five reserves actually flew in but were told they would be in the way so were told to return, with only one taking up the offer before the other four were found to be required.
Captain Clifford Alan Simmons with No.2 Section, 181 Airlanding Field Ambulance took off from Manston in a Horsa glider, chalk no.313, bound for L.Z. “S” near Wolfheze. Amongst the Section of 14 men they had two handcarts of medical supplies, and a jeep to help with the evacuation of casualties. Captain Simmons, like most of the Medical Officers, was taken prisoner during the ensuing battle, and was eventually sent to Stalag XIB at Fallingbostel. You can read about his account of the Battle of Arnhem here: https://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem/clifford_simmons.htm
Staff-Sergeant Frank Alan Richards with No.19 Flight, “F” Squadron, No.1 Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment took-off from Manston for Arnhem, in a Horsa glider, chalk number 339, with Staff-Sergeant George Frederick Voller. They were carrying a Jeep, a 6-pounder gun and three men of the 1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery, and made a successful landing on LZ-Z. Read more about him here: https://www.pegasusarchive.org/varsity/alan_richards.htm
Corporal Reginald Edwin Bennett (4927193) with No.12 Platoon, “B” Company, 2nd Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment was aboard a Horsa glider, chalk no.298, when turbulence forced it and the tug out of formation, and the port yoke of the slackened tow rope became wrapped around the port wing tip. This was severed when the slack was taken up, and very briefly they continued on just the starboard yoke, but a strand of this was cut by flak and the glider was cast-off, making a successful landing in a potato field near Tilburg, in the south of Holland. The following is Bennett’s M.I.9 evasion report, jointly given with 6408485 Private Albert William James Baker and 14340278 Private Norman Charles Price, also of No.12 Platoon.
We took off from Manston in a glider aircraft at 1030 hours on 17 Sep 44. Our destination was Arnhem. About 15 miles North of Tilburg the tow rope broke and we were forced to make a landing near Loop-op-Zand (N.W. Europe, 1:250,000, Sheet 2a, E 14). There were no casualties and as soon as we landed we were contacted by members of the underground movement who moved the whole platoon to an island on the River Maas.
You can read more about their escape here: https://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem/reginald_edwin_bennett.htm
Members of 1 Batallion, 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, RA took off from Manston, and elsewhere from Blakehill Farm, Down Ampney and Keevil.
For the total operations, there were some casualties however; of the 320 gliders that had taken off from England, 283 landed on or close to the landing zones, including the four Wacos with US radio parties not due until the next day. Eleven men of the British side of “Market”, mostly glider pilots were killed or died as a result of landing incidents. One Para died when his parachute failed to open properly, one from a firearm incident and four from enemy action. US air units carrying the 82nd and 101st were not as fortunate, with no less that 35 C47-s being lost. Amongst those were 27 from the 53rd Troop Carrier Wing caught by flak mostly after dropping their parachutists near Eindhoven.
Thought to be at Manston during Operation Market Garden
The video above (© IWM (AMY 130)), from the Imperial War Museum collection shows various sequences of the initial airlift. If you look closely for the twin-engined Albemarles with their easily identifiable tails, you should be able to spot several sequences at Manston, including a sweep over the runway. Edit (20/03/2018): The IWM withdrew all their films in 2017 making all the officially endorsed embedding broken. If the film is not available above, you can watch it here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060020734
Hawker Tempests from No.80 and No.274 Squadrons (from the Manston Tempest Wing of 80, 274 and 501 Squadrons), led by Wing Commander Wray, successfully attacked flak positions in the Dutch Islands of Walcheren and Schouwen, over which the flights to Arnhem would travel. By midday, damaged aircraft started to return. No.80 Squadron’s Tempest EJ519 piloted by 21 year old W/O Peter Leopold Godfrey (1318229) was hit by flak and seen to crash into the sea with no bale out. The Squadron’s diary records “Flak was plentiful and Tempest EJ519 piloted by W/O P.L. (Pete) Godfrey was hit. He was not seen to bale out and aircraft was seen to crash into the sea.” He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
The Tempest Wing and the West Hampnett Wing which had been forward deployed to Manston, flew again in the afternoon on armed reconnaissance and to protect the returning aircraft. The remainder of No.80 Squadron returned to Manston to re-arm and refuel before leaving again at 1825 hrs for an armed recce on Hague, Wassener and Leiden, hitting 3 barges and other targets.
The West Hampnett Wing of Spitfires took off at 1250 hrs to provide close fighter cover escort and to neutralise the flak for a force of sixty-seven Sterlings. Led by Wing Commander John ‘Johnny’ Milne Checketts DSO, DFC, seven Spitfire Mk.IXFs of 303 (Polish) Squadron reached Arnhem at 1410 hrs. Flying Officer Witold Aleksander Herbst was hit by flak and baled out over northern France. Witold completed a total of 141 combat missions in a Spitfire and survived being shot down several times.
No.504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron RAF helped to provide close escort to the airborne operation. Twelve Spitfires left Manston at 1125 hours and patrolled between a point 30 miles off the Suffolk coast and Walcheren. Blue Section saw three gliders ditch and passed their location back to North Weald, resulting in all the troops being picked up by high speed launches. Another glider was seen to ditch west of Schouwen. Four aircraft attacked a gun position at a radar post on the North West side of Schouwen. They returned back to Manston between 1325 and 1345 hours with no casualties.
No.118 Squadron (To be added)
No.296 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
This time there was no postponement. Final briefing took place at 08.00 hours, and crews left immediately for their aircraft. Gliders were marshalled at the end of the 3,000 yards long emergency landing strip and aircraft along one side. Over 2,000 yards run was still available for take off and the prospect of take off with a fully loaded HORSA was faced with much less trepidation than at our base airfield. The runway was into wind and at 10.30 the first combination took off.
The ground crews excellent work stood us in good stead. Every aircraft was serviceable at take off. The first 50 combinations were airborne in 45 minutes. There were no delays and, after a pause, the remaining 6 combinations, this time all with WACO gliders, took off at 12.00 hours. Aircraft formed up over South East England and set course from North Foreland. At a point in the North Sea with the code name TAMPA the ALBEMARLE combinations took their place in the enormous stream. Ahead the Dakotas could be seen and behind the Halifax and Stirling formations. As the stream approached the coast more of the fighter cover could be seen above and below. The islands and large areas of the mainland were flooded. There was no sign of life, except for a very little flak, which was very soon dealt with by the watchful fighters. The flight to the L.Z. at ARNHEM was over 70 miles of enemy occupied territory, but there was no interference from fighters and little from ground defences. At the L.Z. although our formation seemed rather loose in the air, the concentration of gliders was excellent. The squadron released 3 WACO gliders at L.Z. “N” which was neared NIJMEGHEN, 4 HORSAS at L.Z. “S” and 16 HORSAS and 4 WACOs on L.Z. “Z” near ARNHEM. One HORSA, in which the glider pilot made an error in map reading, cast off prematurely, but made a safe landing. Weather conditions were mainly good. There was some cloud round about 2,500 ft. which was the height to fly given at briefing, but it was easy to avoid and no difficulties were encountered.
After release, tug aircraft flew on a little to clear the L.Z. area and drop ropes, and climbed to 6,000 ft. above the cloud to return to base on a reciprocal route. Above cloud tug aircraft of all types could be seen heading for home in small formations, with several machines flying singly, but at no great distance from other groups. The return flight was uneventful and at MANSTON a very speedy landing was effected. Aircraft were parked at the edge of the runway ready for remarshalling and crews reported well satisfied for interrogation. It was found that one aircraft had been hit by flak fragments, but there was no serious damage done.
On this phase of the operation, W/CDR. MUSGRAVE, who lost a leg in a glider accident in August, 1943, carried out his first tow since the mishap in an Albemarle tug. The glider was a WACO. On the following day, he took off a fully loaded HORSA on the second phase.
Preparation for this second phase began immediately on landing. Aircraft were refuelled, fitters checked and inspections carried out ready for “the same again”. After interrogation, and a meal pilots marshalled their aircraft and crews reported for briefing. A few hours postponement, on the ground of bad visibility expected early on the following day, allowed briefing to be put off until the following morning, and crews went off for rest. FLYING TIME. DAY. 99hrs 40mins. NIGHT. NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
Final briefing at 08.45 hours. 28 aircraft which included 2 attached from O.R.T.U. Hampstead Norris of 297 Squadron and 28 of 296 Squadron started taking off from Manston at 10.40 hours. 26 aircraft towed Horsa and 2 Wako gliders. F/O Milroy's tow-rope pulled out 10 miles after take off. F/O Shortman's tow rope broke 40 miles from L.Z. his glider landed O.K. on land. All the others were successful and returned O.K. Two had slight flak holes
It was a perfect day with no cloud. About 2000 carrier planes were taking part. 1000 British of 38 Group and 46 Group. Our L.Z. was 5 miles E.N.E. of ARNHEM, Holland. There were various other L.Z. in the area and the Americans landed about 6 miles South of NIJMEGEN. The night before Bomber Command bombed the German Airfield and enemy fighter were seen. Fighter cover was provided and low flying fighters to straff what little flak opened up.
The whole operation was a complete success. Marshalling for tomorrow started at 18.30 and then an early night."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Arnhem) - WO 171/1234:
1040 - 1st Lift takes off from Manston on Operation "MARKET". Weather excellent over base and sea. Cloudy over Holland. L.Z. located and all landed within area without casualties except of S/Sgt. Hopkins and Sgt. Hooper who were wounded by M.G. fire after landing. Two Gliders failed to arrive. Lieut. Barclay and Lieut. Millar rope broke over TILBURG. S/Sgt. Geary and S/Sgt. Bristow rope detached from tug over U.K. Combination flew over on second day. No opposition on L.Z. South Staffs and G.P's. rendezvous at REIJERS CAMP. Quiet night after digging in.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
0730 - Personnel of 181 Fd Amb and HQ 1st Landing Bde left camp for the airfields.
1030 - A large number of gliders and C47s flew over the camp, and so the 1st phase of operation "MARKET" had started. The weather is glorious today and should be ideal for flying.
2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1375:
0730 - Last minute check of kit. Morale very high but owing to so many cancellations, troops still fear postponement.
0900 - Troops embussed for runway, weather still perfect.
1030 - First glider took off to time. (CO) Perfect take off followed by remaining gliders. Troops, immediately prior to take off, extremely cheerful.
1101 - Tug was seen returning to airfield without glider. Glider No.298 B Coy HQ reported to have made forced landing near CANTERBURY [Note: This was probably No.296 instead, as the glider referred to below at 1430 hrs was definitely No.298]. All a/c to take off with second lift 18th.
1430 - Tug planes returned, reporting good landings of gliders. 1 Glider 296 Pl B Coy reported to have made forced landing 40 miles from LZ. German radio reports heavy landing at this point. Pl having fun?
1600 - BBC announced landing in Holland by 1st Airborne Army.
Place: Holland
Bn 1st lift consisting of BHQ, B & D Coys, one pl Vickers and HC Pl Mortars, landed at RIJERS CAMP (662815). One Pl B Coy did not arrive, and B Coy HQ glider cast off over England. Bn took up defensive posn round L.Zs.1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery, RA (Thought to be at Manston)
Bty (less 5 Gliders) emplaned for area Arnhem - Exercise Market - Weather brilliant sunshine - successful landing 1400 hrs.No.296 Sqn ORB - Form 541 (Detail) - AIR 27/1645:
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1646.
Crew: F/O A. McKENZIE FRASER, F/O F.G. MILLS, Sgt UPWARD D.O., F/SGT BURGON J.K., F/SGT GATES A.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 10.55. Time Down: 14.51.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "S" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.17¼.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle VI V.1866.
Crew: F/L N. CROWE, W/O BURGESS G.H., P/O A. CHATTERLEY, F/O WINTON C.D., F/O F.J. TREASURE.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 10.57. Time Down: 14.30.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "S" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.18.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1387.
Crew: W/O LEACH D., F/O W.E. BARFOOT, F/SGT MATES J.R., SGT ROSS J., F/SGT COFFEN R.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.00. Time Down: 14.31.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "S" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.20½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1818.
Crew: F/O H.S. PRIEST, W/O ALLEN M.E.N., F/SGT ROGERS K., F/SGT BROTHWOOD R., F/SGT HOLMES G.E.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.00. Time Down: 14.40.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "S" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.19½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1432.
Crew: S/LDR R.W. JAMIESON, F/O G. FARRAR, F/O W.J. HUDSON, F/LT C.R. STANLEY, F/O R. McKEE.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 10.59. Time Down: 14.47.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.19½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1435.
Crew: F/O A.S. BAGLOLE, F/O E.M. BOWEN, SGT CROOKS H., SGT WILDMAN G.W., F/SGT GRIFFITHS.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 10.59½. Time Down: 14.35.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.19½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1632.
Crew: W/CDR T.C. MUSGRAVE, F/LT A.G. HUMPHRYES, W/O BLACKHURST K., P/O G. McGREGOR, F/O G.A.C.H. FOSTER.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.00. Time Down: 14.45.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with signal equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.22½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V V.1785.
Crew: F/LT S.F. HORN, W/O WICKS W.E., F/O H.A. TAYLOR, F/SGT JONES J.E., F/SGT LIVINGSTONE L.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.02. Time Down: 14.42. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.25.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1813.
Crew: F/SGT BRETHAM J., F/SGT BRANTINGHAM C., F/SGT ELLIS W.G., F/SGT ROSS B., F/SGT GOLD P.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.02. Time Down: 14.42.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with signals equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.24.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1844.
Crew: P/O N.E. DURACK, F/SGT IVELL K., F/O R.D. ROACH, SGT WHATLEY W.G., F/SGT JACKSON F.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.04. Time Down: 14.42.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.25.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle VI V.1847.
Crew: F/O J.E. STEWART, F/SGT BORROW R.H., F/SGT COLLINS A.C., SGT BRYANT R.G., F/SGT JACKSON J.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.05½. Time Down: 14.42.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with American signals equipment to support the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.21.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1775.
Crew: F/O J.A. NICHOLLS, W/O COOKE F.R., SGT HOPKINS L.W., F/SGT JAMES F.C., F/SGT HUTCHINGS T.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.07. Time Down: 14.43.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.22.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1698.
Crew: F/LT A. CHOLMONDELEY, F/O C.H. HAYMEN, W/O McDONOUGH T., SGT CRICKMORE A.D., F/SGT JEFFERY D.P.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.08. Time Down: 13.35 [should read 14:25?].
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with American signals equipment to support the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.25.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1752.
Crew: F/O R/J. WOOD, F/O H. ARMSTRONG, SGT GODLEY R., SGT VICKERS L.V., F/O F. ELIASSON.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.08. Time Down: 14.30.
Details of Sortie or Flight: The Horsa glider towed by this aircraft was loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division. The glider pilot made an error in map reading and released prematurely 2 miles North of OSS, Holland.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle VI 1871.
Crew: F/LT D.A. LEE, W/O PROCTER H., W/O WHITMORE R.R., F/O GARLAND J.J., F/SGT OXBOROUGH A.T.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.10½. Time Down: 14.45.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.20.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I 1704.
Crew: F/O G.S. VARNAM, F/O E. PAPP, SGT COX L.G., F/SGT DREVER E., F/SGT HORNELL W.H.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.11. Time Down: 14.43.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.20½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1388.
Crew: F/O M. TOCKER, F/O J.E. SCHOLES, F/SGT WHITBREAD T., F/O BAILEY M.C., F/SGT HOYLE J.H.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.12. Time Down: 14.44.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.21.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1696.
Crew: F/LT H. SCOTT, W/O COLE J.H., W/O SHARPLES R., F/O BOYD J., F/SGT MITCHELL J.F.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.13. Time Down: 14.48.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.20½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1630.
Crew: F/LT M. JACKSON, P/O A.E. BLADON, F/SGT BATES C.D., F/SGT BROWN J.H., F/SGT WARRINER R.R.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.12. Time Down: 14.40.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.20.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1774.
Crew: S/LDR E.L. ARCHER, P/O R.P. MASTERS, F/LT H. LANNING, F/SGT RESTALL J., F/O J.C. WHELAN.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.14½. Time Down: 14.40. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.20.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I V.1391.
Crew: W/O BARLOW C., F/SGT EDYVEAN E., F/SGT ROGERS H., W/O WOOD R.B., F/SGT BROWN B.A.J.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.16. Time Down: 14.45.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.21.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle VI 1862.
Crew: F/SGT BUTLER N., F/SGT SAWYER H., F/SGT DEATHRIDGE L., F/SGT HOLBROOK H., F/SGT MACAULAY L.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.17. Time Down: 14.35.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.19½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1629.
Crew: P/O R.C. LAMSHED, F/O D.M. WARNER, W/O STEWART J., W/O GREENAN H., SGT McGHAN.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.16. Time Down: 14.45.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.24.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1779.
Crew: F/LT H. BULL, F/SGT BARRATT W., F/SGT HOWARD F.J., F/SGT TESTER C.W., SGT HIBBERT S.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.18. Time Down: 14.46. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.24.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1616.
Crew: F/LT D.J. BOYER, F/LT F.T. CROKER, W/O HANSEN J.W., F/SGT LAWSON H., F/SGT STUART B.A.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.19½. Time Down: 14.46½.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.25½. On return to base it was found that the aircraft had been hit and very slightly damaged by flak fragments.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1394.
Crew: F/LT J.V. SNELL, P/O J.R. HEYES, P/O W.J. STARRETT, F/SGT BORWELL G., F/SGT THEODORE A.L.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.05. Time Down: 15.11.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "N" near NIJMEGEN, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.57.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V V.1815.
Crew: W/O SAWARD A.B., SGT IRVINE C.P., SGT GURNEY G.V., SGT DONOGHUE D.P., F/SGT GROSCH E.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.05½. Time Down: 15.13.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "N" near NIJMEGEN, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.57.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle VI 1855.
Crew: F/O W.H. LACEY, F/SGT CLARKE J.J., SGT STREET L., SGT DUNFORD L.J., F/O L.A.T. HAWKEY.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.06. Time Down: 15.14.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "N" near NIJMEGEN, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.57.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 541 (Detail) - AIR 27/1648:
28 aircraft took off from Manston with fully laden Horsa Gliders. Courses were:- Tamper (Should read "Tampa") 51° 55" N, 02° 04' 00" E. Bermuda 51° 43' 14" N, 03° 41' 30" E. Columbia 51° 38' 50" N, 04° 05' 52" E. R.V. 51° 38 15N, 05° 18' 40 E. DZ 52° 01 00, 05 47 00 E. Speed out 120 m.p.h. at 2500'. Returned on same course at 180 m.p.h. at 6500'. All except the following cast off their gliders according to plan. F/O Shortman's tow rope broke 40 miles from the L.Z. The glider landed O.K. on land in Holland. F/O Milroy's rope pulled out of his aircraft when the glider changed from high to low tow position about 10 miles from take off. It was a perfect day - no cloud. No enemy fighters were seen but quite a few of ours, giving cover and ground straffing flak posts. There was very little flak and none of our aircraft were hit. The fighters dealt very effectively with what little there was. F/O E.D. Halpin had one .303 bullet through the perspex near his head. This turned out to be a British bullet presumably from one of our fighters.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I 'F' 1651.
Crew: F/O C.S. Brott, Pilot (NZ), F/S Davies W.L., Nav (BR), F/S Mills E., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Griffith R.J., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Pearson J., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1040. Time Down: 1425.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.45 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I 'G' 1383.
Crew: P/O W.A. Rickard, Pilot (BR), W/O Escott E.R., Nav (BR), F/S Buist J., W/Op Air (BR), F/Lt P.J.R. Lee, A/Gnr (BR), F/S Hinksman F.., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1040. Time Down: 1425.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.45.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V 'M' 1716.
Crew: F/O W.H. McCutcheon, Pilot (CAN), W/O J.F. Bowers, Nav (BR), F/Lt T.F. Baylis, W/Op Air (BR), F/S Sanders F.O., A/Gnr (BR), W/O Perkins E., B/A. (AUS).
Time Up: 1045. Time Down: 1445.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.45.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V 'A' 1769.
Crew: F/O J.C. Garnett, Pilot (BR), F/S Porteous T., Nav (BR), Sgt Morris D.G., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Clarke L.A., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Bromley D., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1045. Time Down: 1445.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 4.00.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.1 'X' 1381.
Crew: F/O K. Garnett, Pilot (BR), F/S Tubbs-Merrick A., Nav (BR), F/S Peacock H., W/Op Air (BR), F/O C.A. Shaw, A/Gnr (BR), F/S Anderson R., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1050. Time Down: 1440.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.1 'P' 1409.
Crew: F/O R. Wharmby, Pilot (BR), F/S Cooper R., Nav (BR), W/O Marsh F.J., W/Op Air (AUS), F/S Smith J.E., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Waters E.J., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1050. Time Down: 1440.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.6 ‘G’ 1864.
Crew: F/S Taylor D.J., Pilot (BR), F/S Strachan W., Nav (BR), Sgt Bunker W.F., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Lutz K., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Smith R.A., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1055. Time Down: 1435.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.40.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.2 'T' 1841.
Crew: F/Lt R.H. Thomson, Pilot (CAN), F/O A. Ludwick, Nav (CAN), F/S Flynn P., W/Op Air (BR), F/O L.E. Blundell, A/Gnr (CAN), W/O Taylor D.R., B/A. (CAN).
Time Up: 1055. Time Down: 1445.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.2 'H' 1700.
Crew: F/Lt I.W. McCall, Pilot (BR), W/O H.W. Kidd, Nav (BR), F/O A.W. Crouch, W/Op Air (BR), F/S McCormick T., A/Gnr (BR), F/O J. Irvine, B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1130. Time Down: 1445.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.15.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI 'I' 1852.
Crew: F/Sgt Hart L.R., Pilot (CAN), F/O T.L. Webster, Nav (CAN), Sgt Todd M., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Keough R.L., A/Gnr (CAN), F/O Davlin R.J., B/A (CAN).
Time Up: 1130. Time Down: 1445.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.15.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.5 'R' 1772.
Crew: W/C J.R. Grice, Pilot (BR), F/O W.J. Arnott, Nav (BR), P/O J.B. Dawson, W/Op Air (BR), F/O D.M. Spencer, A/Gnr (CAN), F/O H.W. Hill, B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1040. Time Down: 1430.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.1 'C' 1460.
Crew: P/O D.M. Richards, Pilot (BR), F/O A. Reitzner, Nav (BR), F/S Howells M., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Ward J.E., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Webster L., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1040. Time Down: 1430.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.5 'B' 1812.
Crew: S/L G.K. Brownrigg, Pilot (BR), F/O B.C. Halley, Nav (BR), W/O Sutton M., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Edgington A., A/Gnr (CAN), F/O Richardson, B/A. (AUS).
Time Up: 1040. Time Down: 1430.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.1 'G' 1395.
Crew: F/O A.W. Milroy, Pilot (BR), F/S Ashdown K.F., Nav (BR), F/O F. Cundell, W/Op Air (BR), W/O Oliver J.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Richards H., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1045. Time Down: 1150.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 1.05 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.6 'C' 1849.
Crew: F/L B. Cowderoy, Pilot (BR), F/S Fletcher H.M., Nav (BR), W/O Thomson A., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Worsley D.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Wood W.J., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1045. Time Down: 1430.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.45 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.6 'Q' 1858.
Crew: F/S Flavell E.J., Pilot (BR), F/O D. Russell, Nav (BR), Sgt Layden J.F., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Clancy W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Edwards, B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1050. Time Down: 1435.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.45 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.5 'J' 1778.
Crew: F/S Flavell J., Pilot (BR), F/O G.L. Scott, Nav (CAN), F/O I. Jacques, W/Op Air (CAN), F/S Rhodes G.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Richardson, B/A. (BR).
Time Up: . Time Down: .
Details of Sortie or Flight:
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI 'P' 1848.
Crew: F/Lt W. Watkins, Pilot (BR), F/O G.L. Scott, Nav (CAN), F/O L. Jacques, W/Op Air (CAN), F/S Rhodes G.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Richardson K., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 14.40.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.5 'U' 1838.
Crew: F/O J.G. Hodge, Pilot (BR), F/S King D.A., Nav (BR), Sgt Yorke J.G., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Stephenson L., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Jenkins A., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 14.40.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.5 'S' 1823.
Crew: F/Lt E.D. Halpin, Pilot (BR), F/S Sloan C.H.P., Nav (BR), F/S Smith J.H., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Sharpe R.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Taylor P., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 14.35.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.45 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.6 'F' 1860.
Crew: F/S Wilkinson H., Pilot (AUS), F/S Marsden H.W., Nav (BR), Sgt Wood R.J., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Coulson A.G., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Dobbyn F.L., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 11.25. Time Down: 14.40.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.15 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.2 'Z' 1695.
Crew: F/O J. Coxell, Pilot (BR), P/O J.W. Challis, Nav (BR), F/S Jones G.T., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Wiles L.E., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Coley R.R., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 11.25. Time Down: 14.45.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.20 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.5 'W' 1825.
Crew: W/O Miller I., Pilot (BR), F/L Heffernan C., Nav (BR), F/S Beddow E.R., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Page W.A.R., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Hodges F., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 11.30. Time Down: 14.50.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.20 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.6 'L' 1860.
Crew: F/S Tucker W.H., Pilot (BR), Sgt Goodwin T.R., Nav (BR), Sgt Fisher H.E., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt McGeehie G.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/O E. Daly, B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 12.05. Time Down: 15.10.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.05 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.2 'S' 1738.
Crew: F/O L.S. Price, Pilot (BR), F/O E.H. Trevens, Nav (BR), F/S W.G. Alpin, W/Op Air (BR), F/S Moss B.P., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Harrison R., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 11.30. Time Down: 14.45.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.15 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.
Crew: P/O Curtis-Hayward, Pilot (BR), W/O Marshall T., Nav (CAN), F/S Lillywhite F., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Watson J.N., A/Gnr (BR), Sgt Grenville M., B/A. (CAN).
Time Up: 1210. Time Down: 1515.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.05 “MARKET”
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI 'K' 1861.
Crew: F/O G.E. Sharp, Pilot (BR), Sgt Rowland D.B., Nav (BR), Sgt Hollick G.D., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Ball H.H., A/Gnr (BR), F/O Anderson D.W., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 12.10. Time Down: 15.15.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.05. EXERCISE ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI 'R' 1846.
Crew: F/O T.R. Shortman, Pilot (BR), F/S Clements V., Nav (BR), F/S Jenkins T.C., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Peppitt J.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/O B.C. Easton, B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1050. Time Down: 1400.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.10. EXERCISE ‘MARKET’The Second Lift
18th September 1944
The second lift, held up for nearly five hours because of fog in England, saw No.296 Squadron bring in 21 Horsas (to be confirmed) to LZ-X although 2 failed to arrive at the landing zone. Again, no losses were sustained which was fortunate, as the Luftwaffe were waiting for the lift at 1000 hrs, after the plans for “Market Garden” had been found in an abandoned glider, which should never have left England.
No.297 Squadron towed 21 Horsas (to be confirmed) to Arnhem, but two did not arrive. One glider become disconnected from its tug (Albemarle II V.1696. piloted by F/LT H. Scott), five minutes after take off with the tow rope became disconnected from the Albermarle, causing the glider to stagger while the tow rope coiled up and lashed back at them. The glider made a safe landing in a field (although often indicated to actually be a fighter strip, near Ashford, Kent, but sometimes referred to as near Canterbury), bumping over the rough ground and ripping through a fence before coming to a standstill. The glider pilot remarked that the same thing had happened to him on D-Day. It is thought the Albemarle landed at the same location and may have had engine trouble. Aboard the glider was Major Robert Henry Cain (129484) with “B” Company, 2nd Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment, who described it as a terrible anti-climax.
We can’t help but divert for a moment to mention the leadership and bravery of Major Robert Henry Cain. After successfully making their way to Arnhem the next day, Major Cain would be awarded the Victoria Cross in November for his display of gallantry. On 19th September Major Cain was and his company were cut off from the rest of the battalion and during the next six days were closely engaged with enemy tanks, self-propelled guns and infantry. The Germans made repeated attempts to break into the company position by infiltration and had they succeeded in doing so the whole situation of the Airborne Troops would have been jeopardised. The next day a Tiger tank approached the area held by his company and Major Cain went out alone to deal with it armed with a Piat. Taking up a position, he held his fire until the tank was only 20 yards away when he opened up. The tank immediately halted and turned its guns on him, shooting away a corner of the house near where this officer was lying. Although wounded by machine gun bullets and falling masonry, Major Cain continued firing until he had scored several direct hits, immobilised the tank and supervised the bringing up of a 75 mm. howitzer which completely destroyed it. Only then would he consent to have his wounds dressed. The next morning he drove off three more tanks by the fearless use of his Piat, on each occasion leaving cover and taking up position in open ground with complete disregard for his personal safety.
Company Sergeant Major William Robinson (4909235) was awarded the Military Cross, recommended by Major Cain for his bravery during the same encounters after travelling out together. More here: https://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem/william_robinson.htm
Major Cain, by his outstanding devotion to duty and remarkable powers of leadership, was to a large extent personally responsible for saving a vital sector from falling into the hands of the enemy. You can read more here: https://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem/robert_cain.htm
Ten of the No.297 Squadron Horsas carried the first element of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade, under General Sosabowski – five anti-tank guns and a small Brigade HQ advance party, twenty-six men in total. Again, the Tempest Wing carried out anti-flak patrols and 42 Albermarles returned to Manston.
Staff-Sergeant Charles Rollett Watkinson (809931) was the first pilot of a Horsa glider, Chalk No.878, carrying a 75mm Pack Howitzer, Jeep, ammunition trailer and four men of No.2 Battery, 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, with the Second Lift. Towed by an Albemarle of 297 Squadron from Manston, the Horsa was hit by flak over the city of Middelburg, located on one of the islands off the Dutch coast, and an aileron was damaged. Watkinson wrote:
Hit with flack near Middelburgh, which cut the aileron control wire and air pipes, making ailerons and most of instruments, including the Air Speed Indicator useless. No person injured, but a fair number of holes in fuselage and load.
I regained as much control as possible, without ailerons, but the glider continued to swing, pendulum fashion, behind the tug. Kept in contact with the tug pilot, who suggested we turn around and make our way back to the English coast, to “ditch”. I declined and said, “If we can go back, we can go on”.
We carried on towards Arnhem for about another 20 minutes, when the tow rope broke. The glider was easier to control in free flight, but the landing gear would not jettison, (found out later that the locking wires had not been removed), we had no airspeed indicator or altimeter and the flaps were not working, as well as the ailerons.
I managed to get it down close to a farm, near the village of Dinteloord [or Fijnaart], in the province of Brabant. The nose wheel broke and came into the cockpit, but no-one injured.
A host of Dutch men and women came out to greet us, (none spoke English). After embracing us we all set to to unload the glider. We then had problems, the flack had buckled the metal troughs that the wheels should have run in and the glider was at an awkward angle. This meant that the jeep, gun and trailer had to be virtually lifted out, and this was achieved, mainly due to Dutch brawn. After getting all the gear out it was found that the hitches on the jeep, gun and trailer had been damaged by the flack. It was at this point, whilst we were trying to improvise some means of connecting our equipment, that we were attacked by German troops. We put up a fight and whilst doing so, we broke the dial sight, dismantled the breech and threw them into a dyke. My 2nd Pilot, Arthur Jones, was severely hit and one of the Gunners took a bullet through his face and we were captured whilst attending their wounds.
The Germans took the wounded into the farmhouse and let us talk to them, before the remaining four of us we marched off to Dordrecht and then P.O.W. camps.
After the war, I visited Arthur Jones step parents and found out that he had died of his wounds the next day and was buried in the Dinteloord Cemetery.
In April 1946 I received the Distinguished Flying Medal. I have not been able to visit Holland since and have often yearned to return to Dinteloord, to see Arthur’s grave, to see the grand Dutch folk who helped us unload and looked after Arthur’s grave.
From https://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem/charles_rollett_watkinson.htm https://www.paradata.org.uk/people/charles-r-watkinson
Arthur Jones’ Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12727232/arthur-lander-jones).Staff-Sergeant Watkinson was interrogated at Dulag Luft before being sent to Stalag Luft VII. He spent the remainder of the war here until liberated by the Red Army. After his return to Britain he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in recognition of his efforts to control his damaged glider. Parts of his crashed glider was salvaged and were displayed at Seppe Flying Museum in 2004. Watkinson became a civil servant after the war, but continued to fly with the RAFVR. He died in Lincoln in 1994.
No.296 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
There were several changes to begin this day's work. Our headquarters at MANSTON had moved from the cinema to the church, and as briefing began a change in route was received. Final briefing followed immediately on the navigation brief, and a very depressing met. forecast promised us more difficulty in battling with the weather than with the enemy in the air. Eventually, crews reported to their aircraft for take-off at 11.45. Much low cloud still covered the area from about 400 feet above the highest ground, but no combinations had any difficulty with it, or with the occasional showers. After leaving the English coast, weather conditions improved over the sea, and over enemy territory the cloud was of an amount small enough to allow aircraft to maintain the briefed height of 2,500 feet.
The route followed was the same as that on the previous day, and in all respects the operation was very similar. Crews of aircraft later in the stream reported a little more flak, and just before the L.Z. area, which like those of the previous day was near ARNHEM, one light A.A. position put up enough fire to be dangerous to a close formation. However, our aircraft managed to avoid it and make an effective release. On the 21 squadron aircraft which took off from MANSTON, 19 released successfully on L.Z. "X". The other two were victims of unserviceability, in the one case when the tug, flown by F/LT. SCOTT, had engine failure, and had to make a forced landing on a fighter strip near ASHFORD, and in the other when the glider, towed by F/LT. HORN, developed trouble in the aileron control. In the second case, in spite of lack of control, the glider pilot managed to hang on to his tug, although frequently well out of position, until far into Holland, but at last the rope broke under the strain. The glider made a safe landing near a village and F/LT. HORN dived low above it and saw villagers helping the crew unload the Horsa, and its pilots signalling that all was well.
On the nineteen successful combinations, one had a harassing experience. The tug, flow by F/LT. BOYER, was hit by flak and control surfaces badly damaged when crossing the coast. Although extreme difficulty was experienced in maintaining control and the pilot had to call his navigator, F/LT. CROKER, to his assistance. The combination flew on to the L.Z. and the glider landed successfully. Pilot and navigator pooled their physical resources to bring the aircraft back to base and make a safe landing.
After release, aircraft flew on, dropped ropes, climbed to 6,000 ft. and returned to base as on the previous day. The landing was even more rapid than before and impressed even the well hardened flying control of MANSTON.
Interrogation followed and as the squadrons' services were not required for the next day's lift, many crews made appropriate celebration of the two very successful phases of operation "MARKET". FLYING TIME. DAY. 80 hrs 50 mins. NIGHT. NIL.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
Briefing 08-15 hours. The same LZ as yesterday but a more southerly course was laid on. However at 1010 hours this was cancelled and yesterdays course used. 11-40 hours. 24 aircraft with loaded Horsa Gliders took off from Manston. A bad Met report. The weather suddenly changed to low cloud 3/10 at 1500' and rain patches. The weather improved slightly during the operation and the tugs were able to tow at 2,500 ft. only going through about 1/10th cloud. All the aircraft completed their sorties without incident. No enemy fighters were seen and very little flak. The landing at Manston was spectacular. Both 296 and 297 Squadrons coming in together - up to three abreast with as many as 7 aircraft on the runway at once. After the return to Manston everyone was released till 1000 hours tomorrow. Liberty Coaches went to Margate.
22 aircraft towing fully laden Horsa Gliders took off from Manston for the same L.Z. as yesterday flying on exactly the same course. The morning had been bad with low cloud at 1,500', but improved later and towards the target. The tow was at 2,500 ft. and only about 1/10 cloud at this height troubled us. All were successful. No enemy fighters were seen although plenty of ours were about the L.Z. There was very little flak and none of our aircraft were hit."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Arnhem) - WO 171/1234:
19 Flight have moved off with their loads (No.1 A/Tk. Bty.) the previous day and nothing further has been heard of them. 20 Flight move off with S/Staffs towards the bridge at ARNHEM to relieve the 1st Para Bde. F.W. 190's shoot up L.Z. at approx. 1030 hours. Many snipers en route. By evening 20 Flight put under command of Major Timothy of 1st Para Bn. with the remainder of his men to act reserve and rearguard of 2 Coys. of S. Staffs. After nightfall we moved up the road by the river towards ARNHEM Bridge. High ground on N. of this road held strongly by enemy.
"B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Arnhem) - WO 171/1234:
0900 - Final briefing for 2nd Lift.
1215 - 2nd Lift took off on Operation "MARKET". S/Sgt. Proctor forced landed near ASHFORD.2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Brize Norton) - WO 171/1375:
Owing to "Met" report take off put off until 1015 hrs. Rain at Manston, low light cloud Brize Norton. Take off on time, 1 A Coy glider broke tow rope while circling airfield made good landing, hitched up and took off again. All our gliders at LZ OK. Newspapers full of airborne landing on Holland. Photographs.1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery, RA (Thought to be at Manston)
Remaining 5 Gliders took off for Arnhem - Weather bad - Visibility bad. All arrived safely 1500 hrs.No.296 Sqn ORB - Form 541 (Detail) - AIR 27/1645:
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1632.
Crew: W/CDR T.C. MUSGRAVE, F/LT A.G. HUMPHRYES, W/O BLACKHURST K., P/O G. McGREGOR, F/O G.A.C.H. FOSTER.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.46. Time Down: 15.50.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.38½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1698.
Crew: F/LT A. CHOLMONDELEY, F/O C.H. HAYMEN, W/O McDONOUGH, SGT CRICKMORE A.D., F/SGT JEFFERY D.P.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.46½. Time Down: 15.57.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.40.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1774.
Crew: S/LDR E.L. ARCHER, P/O R.P. MASTERS, F/LT H. LANNING, F/SGT RESTALL J., F/O J.C. WHELAN.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.48. Time Down: 15.55.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.40.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1822.
Crew: F/SGT BRETHAM J., F/SGT BRANTINGHAM L., F/SGT ELLIS W.G., F/SGT ROSS B., F/SGT GOLD P.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.48½. Time Down: 15.48.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.39½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1646.
Crew: F/O A. McKENZIE FRASER, F/O F.G. MILLS, Sgt UPWARD D.O., F/SGT BURGON J.K., F/SGT GATES A.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.50. Time Down: 15.54.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.39.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1696.
Crew: F/LT H. SCOTT, W/O COLE J.H., W/O SHARPLES R., F/O BOYD J., F/SGT MITCHELL J.F.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.51. Time Down: 12.41.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Took off with a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment for the 1st Airborne Division, but was compelled to ask glider to release when the starboard engine cut while the combination was still forming up. Both tug and glider made successful forced landings on a fighter strip near ASHFORD, Kent.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1394.
Crew: F/LT J.V. SNELL, P/O J.R. HEYES, P/O W.J. STARRETT, F/SGT BORWELL G., F/SGT THEODORE A.L.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.53. Time Down: 15.55.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.42.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1630.
Crew: F/LT M. JACKSON, P/O A.E. BLADON, F/SGT BATES C.D., F/SGT BROWN J.H., F/SGT WARRINER R.R.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.53½. Time Down: 15.44.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.40½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1391.
Crew: W/O BARLOW C., F/SGT EDYVEAN E., F/SGT ROGERS H., W/O WOOD R.B., F/SGT BROWN B.A.J.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.57. Time Down: 15.48.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.40½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1813.
Crew: F/SGT IGGULDEN H., W/O SPARKES J.H., W/O SMEED A., W/O CORLESS J., P/O J.G. HAYDEN.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.58. Time Down: 15.55.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.43.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1818.
Crew: F/O H.S. PRIEST, W/O ALLEN M.E.N., F/SGT ROGERS K., F/SGT BROTHWOOD R., F/SGT HOLMES G.E.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.00. Time Down: 15.50.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.39.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle VI 1853.
Crew: F/O A.C. TATTERSALL, F/SGT RICHARDSON K., SGT ROBERTS D.V., SGT EVANS T., F/SGT WARREN C.L.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.01. Time Down: 15.50.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.42.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1779.
Crew: F/LT H. BULL, F/SGT BARRATT W., F/SGT HOWARD F.J., F/SGT TESTER C.W., SGT HIBBERT J.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.02½. Time Down: 15.51.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.42.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1616.
Crew: F/LT D.J. BOYER, F/LT F.T. CROKER, W/O HANSEN J.W., F/SGT LAWSON H., F/SGT STUART B.A.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.33. Time Down: 16.02.
Details of Sortie or Flight: This aircraft and crew were "Spare" for the operation. When an aircraft piloted by F/LT LEE went u/s at the take-off point, the glider was placed at the end of the stream and taken off by F/LT BOYER. On crossing the enemy coast, light flak was encountered and the tug aircraft badly hit. Among other damage the starboard aileron and aileron trimmer was damaged with the resultant loss of control. F/LT BOYER told his glider to hang on and managed to keep the aircraft on an even keel while his navigator came back to the second pilot's seat, braced himself sideways and took the strain of holding the control wheel over while the captain made the smaller corrections necessary to keep on course. In this way F/LT BOYER and F/LT CROKER flew on with their glider to the L.Z., where a successful release was effected at 14.44. In the D.Z. area evasive action was taken from light flak and the aircraft was flown back to base to land safely.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V V.1785.
Crew: F/LT S.F. HORN, W/O WICKS W.E., F/O H.A. TAYLOR, F/SGT JONES J.E., F/SGT LIVINGSTON.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.06. Time Down: 15.05.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division to Holland. After crossing the English coast the glider pilot reported that his aileron control was unserviceable and was instructed by F/LT HORN to hang on however much out of position he found himself. The glider pilot made a valiant effort to keep in correct position but could not avoid pulling the tug aircraft about and jerking the rope. For all that the combination flew on until 40 miles inside Holland, when the rope gave way under the strain. The glider made a safe landing, and F/LT HORN flew low over the area and saw the crew of the glider signal that all was well, and watched them, aided by villagers, begin to unload the Horsa. He then returned to base.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1775.
Crew: F/O J.A. NICHOLLS, W/O COOKE F.R., SGT HOPKINS I.W., F/SGT HUTCHINGS T, F/SGT JAMES F.C.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.07. Time Down: 15.53.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.41.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1844.
Crew: P/O N.E. DURACK, F/SGT IVELL K., F/O R.D. ROACH, SGT WHATLEY W.G., F/SGT JACKSON F.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.27. Time Down: 15.51.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.40½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1704.
Crew: F/O G.S. VARNAM, F/O E. PAPP, SGT COX L.G., F/SGT DREVER E.E., F/SGT HORNELL W.H.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.28. Time Down: 16.00.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.42.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle 1847.
Crew: F/O S.E. STEWART, F/SGT BORROW E.H., F/SGT COLLINS A.C., SGT BRYANT R.G., F/SGT JACKSON.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.29. Time Down: 15.51.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.42.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1627.
Crew: F/O K.H.B. FRERE, F/O B.L. PORTER, F/SGT BLUNDELL R.W., F/SGT ELIAS G., F/SGT BUCKELY K.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.30. Time Down: 15.50.
Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.42.No.297 Sqn ORB - Form 541 (Detail) - AIR 27/1648:
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI 'G' 1849.
Crew: F/L B. Cowderoy, Pilot (BR), F/S Fletcher H.M., Nav (BR), W/O Thomson A., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Worsley D., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Wood W.J., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1140. Time Down: 1540.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 4.00 ‘MARKET’.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V 'S' 1823.
Crew: F/Lt E.D. Halpin, Pilot (BR), F/S Sloan C.H.P., Nav (BR), F/S Smith J.H., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Sharpe R.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Taylor P., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1145. Time Down: 1540.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.55 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V 'J' 1778.
Crew: F/S Flavell E.J., Pilot (BR), F/O D. Russell, Nav (BR), Sgt Layden J.F., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Clancy J., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Edwards R.O.J., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1150. Time Down: 1540.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I 'Z' 1365.
Crew: F/O J. Coxell, Pilot (BR), P/O J.W. Challis, Nav (BR), F/S Jones D.T., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Wiles L.E., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Coley R.R., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1200. Time Down: 1550.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V 'U' 1828.
Crew: F/O J.G.Y. Hodge, Pilot (BR), F/S King D.A., Nav (BR), Sgt Yorke J.G., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Stephenson L., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Jenkins A., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1205. Time Down: 1550.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.45 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V 'B' 1812.
Crew: S/L G.K.A. Brownrigg, Pilot (BR), F/O B.C. Halley, Nav (BR), W/O Sutton M., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Edgington A., A/Gnr (CAN), F/O L. Richardson, B/A. (AUS).
Time Up: 1205. Time Down: 1550.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.45 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI 'Q' 1858.
Crew: F/S Flavell J.T., Pilot (BR), F/S Campbell J., Nav (BR), F/S Graynoth R., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Entwhisle J., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Breingan M., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1205. Time Down: 1555.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50 MARKET
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V 'R' 1772.
Crew: W/C J.R. Grice, Pilot (BR), F/O W.J. Arnott, Nav (BR), P/O J.B. Dawson, W/Op Air (BR), F/O D.M. Spencer, A/Gnr (CAN), F/O H.W. Hill, B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1210. Time Down: 1600.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V 'W' 1825.
Crew: W/O Miller I.E., Pilot (BR), F/L C. Heffernan, Nav (BR), F/S Beddow E.R., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Page W.A.R., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Hodges F., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1215. Time Down: 1610.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.55 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I 'C' 1460.
Crew: P/O D.M. Richards, Pilot (BR), F/O A. Reitzner, Nav (Czech), F/S Howells M., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Ward J.E., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Webster L., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1215. Time Down: 1615.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 4.00 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI 'P' 1848.
Crew: F/Lt W. Watkins, Pilot (BR), F/O G.L. Scott, Nav (CAN), F/O L. Jacques, W/Op Air (CAN), F/S Rhodes G.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Richardson K., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1225. Time Down: 1615.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.50 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.2 'H' 1700.
Crew: F/Lt I.W. McCall, Pilot (BR), W/O H.W. Kidd, Nav (BR), F/O A.W. Crouch, W/Op Air (BR), F/S McCormick T., A/Gnr (BR), F/O J. Irvine, B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1200. Time Down: 1600.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 4.00 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I 'P' 1409.
Crew: F/O R.G.E. Wharmby, Pilot (BR), F/S Cooper R., Nav (BR), W/O Marsh F.J., W/Op Air (AUS), F/S Smith J.E., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Waters J.E., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1205. Time Down: 1545.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.40 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.2 'S' 1738.
Crew: F/O L.S. Price, Pilot (BR), F/O E.H. Trevan, Nav (BR), F/S Aplin W.G., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Moss B.P., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Harrison R., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1205. Time Down: 1550.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.45 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI 'D' 1857.
Crew: F/O W.R. Wallace, Pilot (BR), F/S Keaton G.T., Nav (BR), Sgt Hann D., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Clift L.A., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Bellingham L.W., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 12.10. Time Down: 16.05.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.55 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I 'G' 1383.
Crew: P/O W.A. Rickard, Pilot (BR), W/O Escott E.R., Nav (BR), F/S Buist J., W/Op Air (BR), F/Lt P.J.R. Lee, A/Gnr (BR), F/S Hinksman F.., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1215. Time Down: 1600.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.45 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I 'X' 1381.
Crew: F/O K. Garnett, Pilot (BR), F/S Tubbs-Merrick A., Nav (BR), F/S Peacock H., W/Op Air (BR), F/O C.A. Shaw, A/Gnr (BR), F/S Anderson R., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1215. Time Down: 1600.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.45 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V 'A' 1769.
Crew: F/O J.C. Garnett, Pilot (BR), F/S Porteous T., Nav (BR), Sgt Morris D.G., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Clarke L.A., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Bromley D., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1215. Time Down: 1550.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.35 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI 'R' 1846.
Crew: F/O T.R. Shortman, Pilot (BR), F/S Clements V., Nav (BR), F/S Jenkins T.G., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Peppitt J.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/O B.C. Easton, B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1220. Time Down: 1600.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.40 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I 'F' 1651.
Crew: F/O C.S. Brott, Pilot (NZ), F/S Davies W.L., Nav (BR), F/S Mills E., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Griffith R.J., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Pearson J., B/A. (BR).
Time Up: 1220. Time Down: 1600.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.40 ‘MARKET’
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.II 'T' 1841.
Crew: F/Lt R.H. Thomson, Pilot (CAN), F/O A. Ludwick, Nav (CAN), F/S Flynn P., W/Op Air (BR), F/O L.E. Blundell, A/Gnr (CAN), W/O D.R. Taylor, B/A. (CAN).
Time Up: 1200. Time Down: 1600.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.40 ‘MARKET’.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.II 'M' 1716.
Crew: F/O W.H. McCutcheon, Pilot (CAN), W/O Bowers J.F., Nav (BR), F/L T.F. Baylis, W/Op Air (BR), F/S Sanders F.O., A/Gnr (BR), W/O Perkins E., B/A. (AUS).
Time Up: 1220. Time Down: 1555.
Details of Sortie or Flight: 3.35 ‘MARKET’.Ten Hawker Tempest Mk V of No.80 Squadron took off from Manston at 1240 hrs, detailed to attack flak positions around Flushing (Vlissingen) in Netherlands, protecting the day’s airborne troops who were flying in above them. F/O Peter Struan (Lofty) Haw (53101), aged 25 in Tempest EJ713 (according to No.80 Sqn records, but listed elsewhere as EJ668) was hit by flak and thought to have crashed into the sea. He was thought to have baled out at 1200 feet but his parachute only half opened. He was listed as missing, believed killed and is listed on the Runnymede Memorial. F/O Robert (Bob) Hawksley Hanney (152254) RAFVR, aged 19 in Tempest EJ607 initially disappeared without trace, but was found and recovered. He is buried in Strijen Protestant Cemetery, Strijen, Strijen Municipality, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands. You can read more about him here: https://www.dmlohw4045.nl/qr34-e-f-o-robert-h-hanney-age-19/
The rest of the squadron landed back between 1420 and 1450 hours, with one aircraft EJ659 flown by F/O A.D.S. Anderson (Australian), returning 10 minutes after leaving base.
Five minutes after No.80 Squadron, nine Tempest Mk. Vs of No.274 Squadron took off from Manston to attack flak positions between Schouwen and Breda in Netherlands, a more northerly mission than No.80 Squadron, but still on support of Market Garden. One returned early, five minutes later, but the remainder landed back at 1425 hours.
In the afternoon two aircraft took from No.80 Squadron off for air tests, then in the evening, five Tempests took off at 1705 hrs to escort Halifax and Lancasters bombing flak positions on Walcheren Island, again on the operation’s flight path, near their morning’s destination. With no sight of their bombers and in bad weather, they returned to base, arriving back at between 1740 and 1750 hrs. Despite heavy flak, no injuries were sustained, but after landing, two aircraft were found to be badly holed by enemy gunfire.
Twelve Spitfires of No.504 Squadron RAF took off at 1520 hours to escort tugs and gliders with airborne troops for “Market”. They returned at 1735 hours.
No.118 Squadron (to be added)
Also on 18th September, No.456 Squadron RAAF armed with Mosquito XVII were ordered to use Manston as a Forward Operating Base, from their main base at RAF Ford. On the 18th, two aircraft patrolled over the Allied Airborne landing areas in Holland without contact, but were both fired at when returning over the Dutch coast, without damage. No.456 Squadron RAAF would continue operations from Manston until larger fuel tanks would allow them to operate from RAF Ford entirely from the 22nd September.
No.456 Squadron RAAF (R.A.F. Station, Ford) ORB - Form 540 (Summary):
No activity last night. At lunch time today however things took a brighter turn. No.11 Group rang to say that they want eight aircraft to be at MANSTON daily at 17.00 hours until further notice. These aircraft together with 29 Squadron and 125 Squadron are to keep a continuous patrol about an Allied airborne landing carried out in HOLLAND on Sunday (17th). Everyone is in high hope that we may meet some opposition again after so long.
No.456 Squadron RAAF (R.A.F. Station, Ford) ORB - Form 541 (Detail):
Mosquito XVII KK.248 piloted by S/Ldr G.L. Howitt DFC+ (81057) and Navigator F/Lt. G.N. Irving DFC (121046). Operational Patrol. Up: 19.35. Down 22.35.
Mosquito XVII KK.282 piloted by F/O. S.J. Williams (AUS409635) and Navigator F/O. K.W. Havord (AUS413193). Operational Patrol. Up: 19.30. Down 22.40.
Two of our aircraft patrolled over the Allied Airborne landing in HOLLAND without any contacts. Both aircraft had great difficulty in locating the patrol line owing to the A.I. Beacons not operating. They were both fired at coming out from the Dutch Coast without sustaining any damage.The Third Lift
19th September 1944
The third wave saw 296 Squadron with one aircraft (Albemarle II V.1696. piloted by F/LT H. Scott who piloted the Albemarle the previous day) taking the Horsa that failed to arrive on the previous day and landed near Ashford. The West Hampnett Wing was involved in providing escort to gliders and tugs operating in the Rhine Delta, but because of bad weather the escort was abandoned and the Wing returned to Manston to spend the night.
On glider from Keevil, Chalk No.1026. piloted by S/Sgt. Stocker & Sgt. Allen forced landed at MANSTON – crew OK. This is currently unconfirmed.
Also on the 19th, a Walrus brought back four survivors of a glider crew from an air sea rescue patrol over the Albemarle’s route.
With the Albemarle unsuitable for resupply flights that took over now the airlift was complete, No.296 and No.297 Squadrons played no further part in “Market Garden” and returned to their base of Brize Norton.
Market Garden would prove to be the last large scale airborne operation in which the Albemarle would play a major part, with No.296 and No.297 Squadrons beginning to convert to Halifaxes. Both squadrons stood by to reinforce the ill-fated ground troops but because of the small amount their Albemarle’s could carry, they were not required. In the 296 records they state “The crews found this inactivity irksome while men they had worked with and landed on the operation were in dire straits, and would willingly have gone to their help, but realised the wisdom of the decision which sent aircraft with larger loads to do this work.“
No.296 Sqn ORB - Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1645:
As our services were not required for further phases of Operation "MARKET", the Squadron returned to BRIZE NORTON, with the exception of F/LT. SCOTT, who took off with a glider for ARNHEM. Weather conditions were bad, and shortly after take-off the load in the glider shifted and the combination returned to base. FLYING TIME. DAY. 29 hrs 35 mins. NIGHT. NIL.No.296 Sqn ORB - Form 541 (Detail) - AIR 27/1645:
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V V.1774.
Crew: F/LT H. SCOTT, W/O COLE J.H., W/O SHARPLES R., F/O J. BOYD, F/SGT MITCHELL J.F.
Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 13.20. Time Down: 13.55.
Details of Sortie or Flight: This aircraft took off with a glider loaded with men and equipment from the glider which had made a forced landing at ASHFORD on the previous day. Weather conditions were bad and the combination did not meet the main stream at the R.V. After some hair-raising adventures in and between cloud and a stream of DAKOTA tugs, the load in the glider shifted and the combination returned to base at the request of the glider pilot.No.297 Sqn ORB- Form 540 (Summary) - AIR 27/1648:
A free morning. 15-00 hours. Starting taking off from Manston for Brize Norton. Several took off in echelons of three and one or two who did not mind some slipstream made a fourth. With yesterdays fine mass landing we showed very good airmanship which made the Albemarle look as manoeuvrable as fighters."B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Arnhem) - WO 171/1234:
0300 - Lt. Col. McCardie decides to go for the bridge which he understands is held by Lt.-Col. Frost and 80 men. Road of advance is covered by 20 mm. gun. Zero is 0400 hours. Major Timothy has rejoined 1st Para. Bn. Lt. Col. McCardie released Glider Pilots to return to Div. H.Q. 0330 hrs. 20 Flight return along road under fire and reach Div. H.Q. shortly after dawn.
Work and rest until midday. Capt. Neale reports all well with 2nd Lift and with Lt. Regt. R.A. Sec. first re-supply comes in under heavy Flak. In afternoon take up position round house at S.E. perimeter of Div. Sq. H.Q. within house. Dug in. Slight shelling during night. Mad woman runs through the position just after dusk, singing loudly.
"B" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment (Manston) - WO 171/1234:
Residue of "B" Squadron personnel at MANSTON return to Brize Norton.Twelve Spitfires of No.504 Squadron RAF took off at 1635 hours to escort aircraft taking troops for “Market”. They had to abandon the operation five miles off Nieuport due to deteriorating weather, landing back at 1720 hours.
No.118 Squadron (to be added)
For several days, the weather deteriorated and flying was curtailed.
20th September 1944
Twelve Spitfires of No.504 Squadron RAF took off at 1825 hours for ‘Market’ escort and anti-flak duties again after the low cloud cleared slightly in the afternoon. They returned at 1940 hours without incident and without seeing any flak.
16 Dakotas of No.575 Squadron took off from RAF Broadwell at between 1434 and 1437 hours on a re-supply mission to Market Garden, West of Arnhem, but one aircraft, Dakota III KG.390 crewed by DFL J.W. Atkin, W/O D.J. Britton, F/L T.J. Cunliffe, F/O G. Learmont force landed at Manston due to flak damaged. Time Up: 14.35½. Time Down: Forced landed at Manston due to Flak damage.
No.118 Squadron (to be added)
No.297 Sqn ORB - AIR 27/1648:
During the day 8 aircraft were engaged on collecting Gliders from Netheravon, each aircraft carrying out two lifts. The two remaining aircraft arrived from Manston. There was no more flying activity during the day.21st September 1944
Twelve Spitfires of No.504 Squadron RAF took off at 1550 hours for ‘Market’ escort and ant-flak duties. They returned at between 1825 and 1835 hours.
22nd September 1944
Three Dakotas from No.233 Squadron from Blakehill Farm took No.54 Squadron Spitfire drop tanks from Manston to B56 (Brussels/Evere) as part of the sixth lift. They are though to have remained there overnight and evacuated 44 casualties the next day to Broadwell and Down Ampney.
No.118 Squadron (to be added)
23rd September 1944
Twelve Spitfires of No.504 Squadron RAF took off at 1450 hours to escort Dakotas and Sterlings on another Market operation. They saw no enemy aircraft but did encounter intense and accurate flak from Eindhoven. They returned back to Manston at between 1725 and 1735 hours.
A Short Stirling (LJ622) from No.570 Squadron that had taken off from RAF Harwell, one of 14 aircraft on a re-supply mission for “Market”, force landed at Manston due to flak damage at 1835 hours after completing their mission. Piloted by F/O G.J.H. Burkby (132355), Navigator F/O. M.J.L Murray (J27476), Air Bomber F/S. Browne K. (1546817), Wireless Operator/Air Gunner Sgt. Bond R.F. (1600042), Air Gunner Sgt. Green R.E. (1819859), Flight Engineer Sgt. Holloway V. (1199507) and Air Bomber P/O D.G. Harvey (164115).
13 crews of No.196 Squadron left Keevil between 1400 and 140 hours on a re-supply mission. Short Sterling LK147 crewed by Pilot F/O J.A.Norton, Navigator F/O D.W.Eaves, Air Bomber F/S. H.Ruston, W/A Sgt. J.W. Thomposn, F/E Sgt. F.Gill and Air Gunner Sgt. M.A. Goult landed at Manston at 1915 hours with the Engineer injured after being hit by flak over the drop zone after dropping 24 containers and 4 panniers. A/C cat. A – C. Remainder of crew OK. In the ORB it states “P/O prop. flew off”. They returned to Keevil the next day.
No.118 Squadron (to be added)
25th September 1944
Twelve Spitfires of No.504 Squadron RAF took off at 1550 hours to join with No.118 and No.124 Squadrons that had just arrived at Manston, for a Ramrod providing escort to Bostons and Mitchells bombing flak positions in the Arnhem area. There was moderate inaccurate flak. No.118 Squadron spotted ten Bf109s at 13,000 feet, one of which came down to investigate and was destroyed. They returned at 1800 hours.
No.118 Squadron (to be added)
26th September 1944
No.504 Squadron (to be added)
No.118 Squadron (to be added)
No.124 Squadron (to be added)
The Battle on the Ground
The assault by XXX Corps as part of Operation “Market” which was designed to progress all the way to Arnhem to support the air troops, suffered from unexpected German resistance. Although the bridge at Nijmegen was eventually taken on the 26th September, the attack was costly for the American troops. Nothing then stood in the way to get to Arnhem, but by that time it was too late. German tanks had been moved into Arnhem and were demolishing the houses in which the British troops were fighting at the North end of the bridge and they were desperately short of supplies and ammunition. German artillery controlled the river. Even the attempt by General Sosabowski’s Polish 1st Airborne Brigade on September 22nd to rescue the remaining British forces failed when they met strong resistance from German defence.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, on or around the 24th September, Major Brian Urquhart cannot have been thought to be very ill because he was summoned and flown at short notice to Brussels to join Browning’s headquarters to help sort out the mess he had so vociferously warned about. Urquhart did not know why he was ordered to return at this stage and assumed that in the debacle that Operation Market Garden had become it looked odd for the I Airborne Corps chief intelligence officer to be absent on sick leave. Urquhart was greeted warmly by Browning and his old comrades, but he could not help noticing that talk about the current military situation was kept to a minimum. He noted that the atmosphere was very different from the triumphant and confident tone of the previous weeks.
On 25th September, the withdrawal of the whole 1st British Airborne was ordered. On the 27th, the remaining Poles surrendered to the Germans.
It can be argued that the Airborne Forces at Arnhem did not lose the battle, they were ordered to hold for two or possibly three days, they held out for eight days. They had rations for 48 hours. Some 6,400 of the 10,000 British paratroopers who landed at Arnhem were taken prisoner, a further 1,100 had been killed. British casualties were higher than they suffered on D-Day.
Operation Market Garden had failed to reach its objectives. It would be another four months before the Allies crossed the Rhine again and captured the German industrial heartland. The war dragged on, costing the lives of many thousands of civilians and servicemen. Arnhem was finally and officially liberated on 14th April 1945 by Canadian troops. However it wasn’t a total failure as the corridor served as a route for further assaults on the Germans.
Statistics
First Allied Airborne Army had undertaken 4,852 troop-carrying aircraft sorties of which 1,293 had delivered paratroopers, 2,277 had delivered gliders and 1,282 resupply. 164 aircraft and 132 gliders had been lost with USAAF IX Troop Carrier Command suffering 454 casualties, RAF 38 and 46 Groups another 294 casualties. 39,620 troops had been delivered by air (21,074 by parachute and 18,546 by glider) as had 4,595 tons of stores. Only 7.4% of stores intended for 1st Airborne had reached it. Another 6,172 aircraft sorties were flown in support of Market Garden for the loss of 125 aircraft, against 160 enemy aircraft destroyed.
Whilst figures differ, one historian suggests that 11,920 troops of the 1st British Airborne Division and Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade had landed at Arnhem. This number also includes crews of the Gliders who, once landed would take part in the battle. Some 3,910 were evacuated safely (1,892 from 1st Airborne, 532 from the Glider Pilot Regiment, 1,486 Poles and 75 from the Dorset Regiment) and some 240 later with the help of the Dutch resistance.
The Germans claimed to have taken 6,450 men prisoner.
The 1st British Airborne fatal casualties stood at 1,174, glider pilots 219 and Polish at 92.
US 82nd Airborne casualty figures are reported as 1,432. US 101st Airborne reported as 2,118.
As part of Operation “Garden” XXX Corps suffered 1,480 casualties and VIII and XII corps 3,847 between them.
German forces suffered 3,300 casualties (admitted by FM Model) although other estimates put the figure as high as 8,000.
Units connected to operations from Manston
Divisional HQ and Defence Platoon Based at Fulbeck Hall.
Flew in seven C-47’s from Barkston Heath and Saltby and 29 Horsas from Fairford, Down Ampney and Manston. Went in: 142 men; died: 14; evacuated: 70; captured:58
1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery
Based at Heckington and Helpringham, with newly formed 17-pounder P Troop at Tarrant Rushton. Flew in 30 Horsas from Manston (mostly) and Blakehill Farm, 17-pounder troops in eight Hamilcars from Tarrant Rushton. Went in: 191 men; died: 24; evacuated: 52; captured:115
2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment
Based at Woodhall Spa. Flew in over two days in 62 Horsas from Manston and Broadwell and a Hamilcar from Tarrant Rushton. Went in: 767 men; died: 85; evacuated: 124; captured: 558.
1st Airlanding Light Regiment, Royal Artillery
Based at Boston. The regiment (less No.2 Battery) flew in 57 Horsas from Fairford, Blakehill Farm, Down Ampney, Manston and Keevil on first lift; No. 2 Battery and others flew in 33 Horsas from Manston on second lift. Went in: 372 men; died: 36;evacuated: 136; missing: 200.
The Glider Pilot Regiment No. I WING (HQ Harwell)
A Squadron at Harwell, B Squadron normally at Brize Norton but flying to Arnhem from Manston, D Squadron at Keevil and G Squadron at Fairford.
US Air Support Signals Teams
Two teams, each of five Americans from the 306th Fighter Control Squadron with two British jeep drivers, flew in four Waco gliders from Manston. No fatal casualties; numbers evacuated and missing not known.
Statistics from here: http://www.marketgarden.com/2010/UK/statistics/statis1.html
Units based at Manston during Market Garden and the preliminary period
Add 118 and 124 Squadron
No.80 Squadron RAF (Hawker Tempest Mk.V) – moved to Coltishall on 20th September 1944
No.6080 Servicing Echelon (Serviced No.80 Squadron)
No.143 Squadron RAF (Beaufighters) – Moved to North Coates on 9th September 1944.
No.8143 Servicing Echelon (Serviced No.143 Squadron)
No.274 Squadron RAF (Hawker Tempest Mk.V) – moved to Coltishall on 20th September 1944
No.6274 Servicing Echelon (Serviced No.274 Squadron)
No.501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron RAF (Hawker Tempest Mk.V) – moved to Bradwell Bay on 22nd/23rd September 1944.
No.6501 Servicing Echelon (Serviced No.501 Squadron)
No.504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron RAF (Spitfire Mk.IX)
No.6504 Servicing Echelon (Serviced No.504 Squadron)
No.605 ‘County of Warwick’ (Auxiliary) Squadron RAF (de Havilland Mosquito Mk.VI)
No.6605 Servicing Echelon (Serviced No.605 Squadron)
No.616 Squadron RAF (Gloster Meteor Mk.I) – moved to Bradwell Bay on 22nd September 1944.
No.6616 Servicing Echelon (Serviced No.616 Squadron)
No.1401 Meteorological Flight
No.2715 Anti-Aircraft Squadron, RAF Regiment – Moved to Swanton Morley on 3rd September 1944.
No.155 (General Reconnaissance) Wing – Disbanded 19th September 1944.
No.855 Naval Air Squadron TBC (possibly at Hawkinge) – Moved away on 7th September 1944
Further Reading
The Pegasus Archive: http://www.pegasusarchive.org/
“Arnhem 1944: The Airborne Battle”, by Martin Middlebrook, Penguin, ISBN 978-0-14-014342-3.
“The History of RAF Manston” by Flt Lt Rocky Steadman, ISBN 978-0951129807.
“A Fighter Command Station at War: A Photographic Record of RAF Westhampnett from the Battle of Britain to D-Day and Beyond”, by Mark Hillier, Frontline Books, ISBN 978-1473844681.
Flying Officer Witold Aleksander Herbst: http://www.bluehorizonfilms.net/index.html
Operation Market Garden (60th Anniversary report): https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/30056/ww2_market_garden.pdf
“Arnhem’s Other Urquhart” https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/arnhems-other-urquhart/
Disclaimer
Many of the figures based in this article are quoted differently in the various recognised sources. We have therefore based on figures we believe correct, but will amend if new certifiable information can be obtained. Other details may also be corrected as any issues are found.
Alterations
17th February 2018 – Added reference to No.456 (RAAF) Squadron using Manston as an FOB.
30th March 2018 – Updated video link/embed.
3rd September 2018 – Added two new photos at Manston.
18th December 2022 – Added “Albemarle towing Horsa glider” photo, reconfigured dated paragraphs, started to add 296 Squadron records.
August/September 2024 – More additions of 296/297 Squadron records, details on aircraft in use, various updates and amendments.
I remember this quite well standing out side my mothers house and watching them go over . but before then as a young lad I used to ride out to manston with my mates and we got talking to some of the air crew and troops . I remember the albermarles all lined up on the north grass with gliders I can tell a few stories .
Thanks Ray. If you want to share any of your stories or recollections, please let us know.
I got here by accident. I’ll stay here. A very professional website. Congratulations!
I lead a scout team named after the Polish Armed Forces in the West.