17th Airborne Division

Upon his return to the United States in September 1943, General Swing establishes a special evaluation committee known as the “Swing Board”. Its task is to stage a large-scale airborne exercise to definitively assess the viability of division-sized airborne deployments. For the exercise, named “Knollwood Manoeuvre,” the 11^th Airborne Division, still held in reserve domestically, is selected as the principal attacking force. Opposing it is a combined force drawn primarily from the 17^th Airborne Division, including one battalion from the 541^st Parachute Infantry Regiment. The exercise aims to test whether a division-sized airborne operation is feasible and effective.

The manoeuvre begins with the airborne assault force tasked to capture the airfield at Knollwood in North Carolina, defended by troops from the 17^th Airborne Division. Lieutenant General Lesley J. McNair observes the entire operation, and his conclusions are critical for determining the future structure and deployment of airborne units. On the night of the operation, 85 per cent of airborne troops land accurately within their designated zones, transported by hundreds of gliders and transport aircraft from multiple airfields. Following their successful landings, the airborne troops engage in coordinated combat scenarios, aerial resupply, and casualty evacuation missions. Lieutenant General McNair and other senior observers judge the exercise an outstanding success, substantially influencing future American airborne strategy. Thus, the continuation of divisional-sized airborne formations receives official approval.

Following this pivotal exercise, known as the Knollwood Manoeuvre, the 17^th Airborne Division participates in further training during U.S. Second Army exercises in Tennessee from February 6^th, 1944. After completing this training on March 27^th, 1944, it moves to Camp Forrest and later stages at Camp Myles Standish, departing from Boston Port of Embarkation on August 20^th, 1944. The division arrives in Britain on August 26^th, 1944, joining the XVIII Airborne Corps under Major General Matthew Ridgway’s command. This corps subsequently becomes part of the First Allied Airborne Army under Lieutenant General Lewis H. Brereton. Although stationed in Britain, the 17^th Airborne Division is not selected for Operation Market Garden, the airborne assault on the Netherlands, due to logistical unreadiness. During this period, it incorporates the battle-experienced 507^th Parachute Infantry Regiment from the 82^nd Airborne Division.

The division’s first significant combat experience occurs during the Battle of the Bulge, beginning on December 16^th, 1944, when the German Army launches its major offensive in the Ardennes region of Belgium. Initially held in reserve in Britain, the 17^th Airborne Division is urgently deployed to France once poor weather clears on December 23^rd, 1944. Arriving in the vicinity of Rheims, the division is swiftly moved to the Meuse River near Charleville on Christmas Day under the command of General George S. Patton’s 3^rd Army. By early January 1945, the division moves again, this time to Morhet, southwest of Bastogne, relieving the 11^th Armored Division. There, it engages in fierce combat alongside the 87^th Infantry Division against German forces west of Bastogne, defending positions at a location later nicknamed “Dead Man’s Ridge”. After sustaining nearly a thousand casualties in three days, the division breaks through German lines by late January, capturing several towns before linking up with the British 51^st Infantry Division and being withdrawn from combat shortly thereafter.

Following its Ardennes experience, the 17th Airborne Division is withdrawn for replenishment and preparation for future operations. Originally earmarked for Operation Eclipse, a large airborne assault intended to capture Berlin, this ambitious operation is abandoned when General Eisenhower decides against attempting to seize the German capital ahead of Soviet forces. Instead, by February 1945, the division is assigned to participate in Operation Varsity, the airborne component supporting Operation Plunder, Montgomery’s planned crossing of the Rhine.

Following its engagement in the Battle of the Bulge, the division is withdrawn behind the front lines to serve as a strategic reserve while the Allied forces continue their push into Germany. Even as reinforcements arrive and intensive training is conducted, plans are developed for the division to participate in a highly ambitious airborne operation named Operation Eclipse. The detailed planning reaches an advanced stage, involving the American 17^th Airborne Division and the 82^nd Airborne Division and a brigade from the British 6^th Airborne Division. The intended daylight airborne drop aims to secure Berlin. Although the operation garners support from General Henry H. Arnold, Chief of the United States Army Air Corps, planning ceases on March 28^th, 1945, after General Eisenhower informs Joseph Stalin that Allied forces will not attempt to capture Berlin, thus rendering Operation Eclipse redundant. Despite the abandonment of Eclipse and similar ambitious airborne proposals, in February the division is informed of its role in another airborne mission set for March, supporting the Anglo-Canadian 21^st Army Group in crossing the River Rhine.

By March 1945, Allied forces have reached the Rhine, a significant natural defensive barrier blocking entry into northern Germany. Overcoming the Rhine would open the route to the North German Plain, leading towards Berlin and other key northern German cities. Following General Eisenhower’s “Broad Front Approach,” multiple crossing points are targeted. Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery, commander of the 21^st Army Group, develops Operation Plunder, approved by Eisenhower, aiming to cross the Rhine near Rees, Wesel, and areas south of the Lippe Canal. Montgomery insists that an airborne component be included, resulting in Operation Varsity. Initially, the British 6^th Airborne Division, U.S. 13^th Airborne Division, and the 17^th Airborne Division are assigned to the US XVIII Airborne Corps. However, insufficient transport aircraft necessitate the removal of the inexperienced 13^th Airborne Division from the operation. Thus, the 6th and 17th Airborne Divisions are selected, landing around Hamminkeln to secure strategic points including the Diersfordter Wald, vital roads, bridges across the Issel, and the town itself. These airborne units will hold their positions awaiting link-up with ground forces to prevent isolation and heavy casualties like those suffered at Arnhem during Operation Market Garden.

At 21:00 on 23 March, Operation Plunder commences after an intense week-long aerial bombardment targeting Luftwaffe airfields and German transport infrastructure, involving over ten thousand Allied aircraft. By early 24 March, units of the 21st Army Group successfully establish bridgeheads across the Rhine amid strong German resistance. Shortly after, aircraft transporting the airborne divisions depart from airfields in England and France, joining together over Brussels before heading northeast towards their Rhine drop zones. The airlift includes 541 transport planes carrying troops and an additional 1,050 aircraft towing 1,350 gliders. At 10:00 on 24 March, the initial airborne forces begin landing east of the Rhine.

Following its engagement in the Battle of the Bulge, the division is withdrawn behind the front lines to serve as a strategic reserve while the Allied forces continue their push into Germany. Even as reinforcements arrive and intensive training is conducted, plans are developed for the division to participate in a highly ambitious airborne operation named Operation Eclipse. The detailed planning reaches an advanced stage, involving the American 17th and 82nd Airborne Divisions and a brigade from the British 6th Airborne Division. The intended daylight airborne drop aims to secure Berlin. Although the operation garners support from General Henry H. Arnold, Chief of the United States Army Air Corps, planning ceases on 28 March after General Eisenhower informs Joseph Stalin that Allied forces will not attempt to capture Berlin, thus rendering Operation Eclipse redundant. Despite the abandonment of Eclipse and similar ambitious airborne proposals, in February the division is informed of its role in another airborne mission set for March, supporting the Anglo-Canadian 21st Army Group in crossing the River Rhine.

By March 1945, Allied forces have reached the Rhine, a significant natural defensive barrier blocking entry into northern Germany. Overcoming the Rhine would open the route to the North German Plain, leading towards Berlin and other key northern German cities. Following General Eisenhower’s “Broad Front Approach,” multiple crossing points are targeted. Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery, commander of the 21st Army Group, develops Operation Plunder, approved by Eisenhower, aiming to cross the Rhine near Rees, Wesel, and areas south of the Lippe Canal. Montgomery insists that an airborne component be included, resulting in Operation Varsity. Initially, the British 6th Airborne, US 13th Airborne, and 17th Airborne Divisions are assigned to the US XVIII Airborne Corps. However, insufficient transport aircraft necessitate the removal of the inexperienced 13th Airborne Division from the operation. Thus, the 6th and 17th Airborne Divisions are selected, landing around Hamminkeln to secure strategic points including the Diersfordter Wald, vital roads, bridges across the Issel, and the town itself. These airborne units will hold their positions awaiting link-up with ground forces to prevent isolation and heavy casualties like those suffered at Arnhem during Operation Market Garden.

At 21:00 on 23 March, Operation Plunder commences after an intense week-long aerial bombardment targeting Luftwaffe airfields and German transport infrastructure, involving over ten thousand Allied aircraft. By early 24 March, units of the 21st Army Group successfully establish bridgeheads across the Rhine amid strong German resistance. Shortly after, aircraft transporting the airborne divisions depart from airfields in England and France, joining together over Brussels before heading northeast towards their Rhine drop zones. The airlift includes 541 transport planes carrying troops and an additional 1,050 aircraft towing 1,350 gliders. At 10:00 on 24 March, the initial airborne forces begin landing east of the Rhine.

The 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), under Colonel Edson Raff, spearheads the 17th Airborne Division’s assault, becoming the first US airborne troops to land during Operation Varsity. Ground haze splits their deployment, with some landing northwest of their intended drop zone near Diersfordt. Raff quickly consolidates his scattered troops, neutralising enemy artillery en route. By 14:00, the regiment has secured its objectives, including eliminating German artillery positions and destroying a tank. Private George J. Peters earns a posthumous Medal of Honour by eliminating a German machine-gun nest single-handedly.

The second unit, the 513th PIR, led by Colonel James W. Coutts, experiences heavy anti-aircraft fire during their flight, resulting in considerable aircraft losses and dispersion. Despite landing in British-designated zones, the regiment rapidly regroups, aids British glider-borne troops, neutralises enemy artillery, and secures Hamminkeln by early afternoon. During the engagement, Private First Class Stuart S. Stryker receives a posthumous Medal of Honour for his bravery in assaulting an enemy machine-gun position.

The division’s third element, the 194th Glider Infantry Regiment under Colonel James Pierce, lands directly into concentrated German anti-aircraft and artillery fire, sustaining significant casualties and aircraft losses. Nevertheless, the glider infantry neutralises numerous German artillery batteries and destroys tanks and armoured vehicles, successfully capturing all their targets.

Operation Varsity achieves all primary objectives within hours, including securing the Diersfordter Wald, capturing bridges over the Issel, and disrupting German reinforcements. By evening on 24 March, British ground forces join airborne units, and by midnight, the first light bridge over the Rhine is operational. Within three days, substantial bridges allow heavy armour to cross, and the Allies advance significantly. Technical Sergeant Clinton Hedrick later earns a posthumous Medal of Honour for bravery during the capture of fortified Lembeck Castle.

In total, the 17^th Airborne Division suffers 1,346 casualties between 24 and 29 March. Following Varsity, the division advances through Germany with XVIII Airborne Corps, engaging enemy forces near Wesel, Essen, and Münster. When Germany surrenders unconditionally on May 7^th, 1945, the division is stationed in northern Germany performing occupation duties.

The 17th Airborne Division is relieved of occupation duties on June 14^th, 1945 by British forces. Following this, the division is disbanded, with its component units reassigned to other airborne formations. Some elements are attached to the 82^nd Airborne Division in Berlin, while others join the 13^th Airborne Division, which is preparing for the anticipated invasion of Japan.

With Japan’s surrender, all units of the division reunite under their original command. The formation relocates to Camp Myles Standish in Taunton, Massachusetts, where it is officially inactivated on September 16^th, 1945. It is later reactivated on July 6^th, 1948, at Camp Pickett, Virginia, as a training division. However, this is short-lived, as the division is permanently inactivated on June 19^th, 1949.