Operation Varsity

Veterans relax before a moving ceremony

In a clearing in the woods, we stood in silence, staring at the distant tree line and watched and waited. Despite this vigil, we were all taken by surprise when a lone glider appeared from behind the trees and flew silently overhead. Behind it, four helicopters skimmed the treetops in formation.

Last week saw the 62^rd Anniversary of Operation Varsity, when 440 gliders flew to Hamminkeln to drop 3,380 men and vehicles behind German lines in a bid to capture and hold the town and 3 bridges across the River Issel. Such was the danger of this one-way mission that only 88 gliders remained undamaged and 204 pilots were killed or wounded.

The bravery of the Glider Pilot Regiment can only be marvelled at. To go on such a mission, flying gliders full of men and machinery into a heavily defended area knowing that your chances of survival were slim is very humbling.

The Service of Remembrance last week was a truly moving occasion. It was attended by the band and soldiers of the Army Air Corps, a detachment of Cadets from Colfe’s School, veterans, families of veterans and members of the public.

The quiet dignity of the service, the thoughts of all us towards those who served, the beauty of the setting and awe inspiring grace of the solitary glider caused a few tears to be shed. Standing there shivering in the bitter cold meade me think of the horror of war, the courage of those who fight in wars and the impact this operation had on people’s lives. One of the civilians came forward and laid flowers on the memorial. He comes every year in memory of his father who died in the battle.

Many good people died fighting that day in 1945. They are not forgotten.