Operation Varsity

Allied Forces

• XVIII Airborne Corps
  • 6^th Airborne Division
  • 17^th Airborne Division
  • Office of Strategic Services Teams

Axis Forces

• 6. Fallschirmjäger-Division
• 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division
• 84. Infantrie Division
• 116. Panzer-Division, Windhund
• 180. Infantrie-Division

Operation

After the German Ardennes Offensive, nearly all Allied forces commence their push towards the Rhine along a 400-kilometre front in February 1945. In the central sector, General Bradley’s 12^th Army Group makes steady advances beyond the Siegfried Line but encounters severe difficulty establishing a foothold across the River Sauer. Heavy casualties result from intense German resistance and the powerful current, which repeatedly frustrates crossing attempts and destroys pontoon bridges. Further south, General Patton’s 3^rd Army, facing the greatest distance to cover, achieves rapid progress against more disorganised enemy forces, giving Patton ample opportunity to demonstrate his talent for aggressive pursuit.

On February 9^th, 1945, the 21^st Army Group, incorporating the US 9^th Army, begins its offensive from the Nijmegen bridgehead. Progress is particularly challenging due to determined German opposition from fortified defensive positions and deliberate flooding of the terrain, severely restricting Allied manoeuvres. Despite harsh conditions, British forces gradually push forward towards the Rhine. Simultaneously, clearing the Reichswald Forest presents even greater difficulties. The terrain restricts movement to narrow corridors, impassable for tanks, and the area is staunchly defended by skilled German paratroopers in depth. British troops require a month of brutal fighting, among their toughest since Normandy, to secure the forest, incurring substantial losses.

By March 10^th, 1945, the leading units of General Dempsey’s 2^nd Army reaches the western bank of the Rhine. Rather than immediately exploiting German disorganisation by rapidly crossing, Allied forces halt for two weeks to consolidate strength and meticulously prepare a large-scale assault, involving both the British 2^nd and the US 9^th Armies. This forthcoming operation will be the final significant set-piece attack by the Western Allies in Europe, and Montgomery is resolved to deliver an impressive display of military capability.

Over ten days, a continuous smokescreen along the Rhine conceals extensive Allied preparations. Without this cover, German observers positioned on the eastern bank would witness considerable activity. The British 2^nd Army stockpiles approximately 118,000 tonnes of supplies, while the adjacent US 9^th Army accumulates another 138,000 tonnes. Included in these preparations are 30,000 tonnes of bridging material and 60,000 tonnes of artillery ammunition intended for a massive bombardment involving 1,300 Royal Artillery guns, marking the largest British artillery barrage of the entire war. Additionally, both armies have 59,000 engineers ready to oversee assault crossings and swiftly construct pontoon bridges once initial objectives are secured.

These meticulous preparations support Operation Plunder, encompassing a 32-kilometre front and involving four assault divisions: the American 30^th Infantry Division and the 79^th Infantry Divisions, along with the British 15^th (Scottish) Infantry Divisions and the 51^st (Highland) Infantry Divisions. These divisions form just the initial wave, with numerous infantry and armoured divisions positioned to rapidly follow and penetrate deep into Germany. The assembled force is remarkable, rivalling the Normandy landings in scale and complexity, despite the operation primarily involving a river crossing.

Unbeknownst to observers, two additional airborne divisions, the American 17^th Airborne Division and British the 6^th Airborne Division, are also committed to the offensive. Operating under Lieutenant-General Ridgway’s XVIII US Airborne Corps, these airborne units will support the ground assault by landing east of the Rhine. Their operation, designated Operation Varsity, will complement the main attack and further ensure the success of the Rhine crossings.

Operation Varsity

Operation Varsity marks a significant departure from previous airborne operations. Historically, airborne troops would land and secure their objectives prior to any ground offensive, thus ensuring complete surprise. However, for the Rhine crossing, the airborne drop occurs 12 hours after the initial ground forces cross the river. Aware that German forces anticipate an airborne assault, Allied planners hope this delay will prompt the enemy to withdraw from their deeper defences near the drop zones to counter-attack the bridgeheads. Consequently, airborne divisions will land behind the main German forces, cutting off escape routes and opening the area east of the Rhine for rapid exploitation. Another advantage of this delayed landing is that Montgomery retains the option to cancel the airborne component if the ground forces fail to secure a viable bridgehead, preventing a repeat of Arnhem, where airborne troops became trapped.

Lessons learned from Operation Market Garden ensure that Varsity will feature just one concentrated airlift, delivering all 17,300 troops within a single hour, making it the largest single airborne lift ever conducted. Originally planned to involve three airborne divisions, the limited availability of aircraft leads to the exclusion of the 82^nd Airborne Division from the operation. Even with two divisions involved, the British 6^th Airborne Division and U.S. 17^th Airborne Division, aircraft are still insufficient to carry all supporting units, so only frontline infantry deploy initially, with supporting units joining via ground routes when conditions allow.

Operation Varsity introduces a new tactical concept, with troops landing directly onto their objectives rather than miles away, as in previous operations. Although this approach makes airborne troops extremely vulnerable upon landing, planners conclude that initial heavy casualties will be fewer in the long term compared to landing safely but then confronting a fully prepared and entrenched enemy. Arnhem demonstrated that lightly armed airborne units have limited effectiveness against determined defenders supported by artillery and armour. Landing directly atop objectives, coupled with the shock of thousands of troops appearing suddenly around enemy positions, could offset this vulnerability. To further support the airborne troops, the 2^nd Army plans an intense artillery bombardment immediately before the landings, aiming to disorient and weaken enemy forces.

The XVIII US Airborne Corps’ main objective is to seize the Diersfordterwald, a wooded ridge overlooking crucial crossing points. The 6^th Airborne Division and 17^th Airborne Division land on either side, denying German Forces access and facilitating rapid progress for the ground forces.

6th Airborne Division

The British 6^th Airborne Division lands across five designated zones along the northern edges of the Diersfordterwald.

The 3^rd Parachute Brigade drops first on Drop Zone A, near Bergen village on the north-west edge of the Diersfordterwald, approximately three kilometres from the main division. Their role is to secure roads leading into the woodland, protecting both the division’s rear and the northern flank of the 2^nd Army. The 8^th Parachute Battalion lands first, securing the drop zone, followed closely by the 1^st Canadian Parachute Battalion and 9^th Parachute Battalion, tasked respectively with capturing key road junctions and elevated terrain around Schneppenberg and Ellersche Heide. They are supported by anti-tank, engineer, medical, workshop, and provost detachments. Pathfinder units precede them slightly, visually marking landing zones instead of setting up beacons as previously done.

The 5^th Parachute Brigade follows on Drop Zone B, north-west of the main division. The 13^th Parachute Battalion and 12^th Parachute Battalion land first, capturing crucial road junctions to prevent counter-attacks from the north. Uniquely, the 7^th Parachute Battalion, tasked with defending the zone, is the last to land and must withstand enemy counter-attacks while the others consolidate their positions. Supporting elements include anti-tank batteries, medical units, and engineer detachments.

The third wave, the 6^th Airlanding Brigade, lands around Hamminkeln, each battalion with its own landing zone. The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on Landing Zone O secure two bridges over the River Issel to the north. Similarly, the Royal Ulster Rifles land on Landing Zone U, securing another pair of bridges. The Devonshire Regiment arrives last on Landing Zone R to the southwest, cutting off escape routes before capturing Hamminkeln itself. Unlike previous glider operations, these units land in compact formations directly on objectives, enabling immediate engagement. Support includes additional anti-tank, medical, and engineering units.

Divisional support units land on Landing ZoneP, west of Hamminkeln, near Diersfordterwald. Due to aircraft shortages, many secondary units remain west of the Rhine, waiting for safe ground crossings. Troops conceal their distinctive red berets until the airborne assault begins to maintain operational secrecy. Key support units landing here include Divisional Headquarters, signals, artillery units, and reconnaissance assets with tanks and mortars.

Forward Observation Officers embedded across the division facilitate rapid and substantial artillery support from the 2^nd Army. The 3^rd Parachute Brigade alone receives direct support from three field artillery regiments, with medium and heavy artillery available for other division sectors. This massive fire support is expected to significantly ease the airborne units’ task until ground reinforcements arrive.

With advanced airborne positions only six kilometres from the Rhine, it is anticipated that leading elements of the 15^th (Scottish) Infantry Division will make contact by the first day, fully linking by March 25^th, 1945. The entire 6^th Guards Tank Brigade supports the XVIII US Airborne Corps, crossing as soon as feasible. The Scots Guards specifically aim to connect rapidly with the 6^th Airborne Division, while Grenadier and Coldstream Guards assist American forces.

Once firmly established beyond the Rhine, the 6^th Airborne Division, supported fully by the 6^th Guards Tank Brigade, will spearhead the Allied advance deeper into Germany.

17th Airborne Division

The 17^th Airborne Division is planned to land on three designated zones along the southern edges of the Diersfordterwald.

Landing by parachute at Drop Zone W, located north-east of Wesel, is the 507^th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The 1^st Parachute Battalion is tasked with swiftly capturing vital crossings over the Issel River near the town of Diersfordt, while establishing a strong defensive perimeter eastward against potential German counterattacks. The 2^nd Parachute Battalion is responsible for seizing and holding strategic high ground just south of Diersfordt, neutralising enemy positions threatening the division’s drop zone, and ensuring effective communication with nearby British airborne units from the 6^th Airborne Division. The 3^rd Parachute Battalion has to secure key road junctions and wooded areas north-east of Diersfordt, effectively blocking any German reinforcements attempting to enter or disrupt the operational area.

The 513^th Parachute Infantry Regiment parachutes into Drop Zone X, north-west of Diersfordt, with specific missions assigned to each battalion. The 1^st Parachute Battalion has the primary responsibility of capturing and holding important bridges over the Issel River near the hamlet of Hagen, critical for enabling rapid British armoured advances from across the Rhine. The 2^nd Parachute Battalion aims to secure vital defensive positions near Hamminkeln, particularly focusing on blocking key routes and intersections to halt enemy reinforcement attempts. Meanwhile, the 3^rd Parachute Battalion is tasked with taking control of the strategically important Hamminkeln railway station and surrounding infrastructure, denying German forces access to crucial transportation and logistical hubs.

Landing by glider at Landing Zone N, near Hamminkeln, the 194^th Glider Infantry Regiment has objectives closely tied to supporting airborne operations and securing the immediate area against enemy threats. The 1^st Glider Battalion is given the urgent mission of quickly securing territory around the landing zone, specifically neutralising German artillery and anti-aircraft positions threatening the arrival and deployment of additional gliders. The 2^nd Glider Battalion is directed to capture and hold the village of Mehrhoog, establish roadblocks, and prevent German forces from reorganising or launching counterattacks from the northern flank. The 3^rd Glider Battalion has to occupy strategically significant terrain south-east of Hamminkeln, creating a defensive buffer zone to block German reinforcements from reaching Hamminkeln or attacking from the direction of Wesel to the south.

In addition to infantry battalion tasks, divisional artillery and engineer units landing by gliders had crucial support roles. Artillery batteries quickly establishes firing positions on Landing Zone N to deliver immediate fire support for the infantry battalions, suppress enemy artillery, and secure the captured objectives. Engineers hav to rapidly set up communications, assisted in clearing and securing bridgeheads, and enabled the swift passage of advancing Allied ground forces across the Rhine.

Like the 6^th Airborne Division, the 17^th Airborne Division was specifically intended to make early contact with advancing British infantry and armoured units, primarily from XII Corps, notably the 15^th (Scottish) Infantry Division and XXX Corps, particularly Guards Armoured Division, within hours of the initial airborne drop. This rapid link-up was vital to the overall strategic success of Operations Varsity and Plunder, creating a strong foothold east of the Rhine River for subsequent Allied operations into Germany.

Office of Strategic Services Teams

Alongside conventional airborne troops and glider forces, the Office of Strategic Services deploys a special detachment to undertake covert intelligence gathering and sabotage operations behind German lines. The Operation Varsity, Office of Strategic Services unit is led by Captain Stephen Vinciguerra, an Office of Strategic Services special operations officer attached to the 1^st Allied Airborne Army.

Office of Strategic Services Mission Objectives in Operation Varsity Captain Vinciguerra’s detachment consists of sixteen Office of Strategic Services operatives tasked with providing critical intelligence and conducting covert actions to disrupt German defences. Their primary mission involves immediate infiltration behind enemy lines after landing, real-time intelligence collection on German troop movements, identification of enemy positions, and limited sabotage operations to create disorder during the initial hours of the Rhine crossing. The Office of Strategic Services team’s operational approach prioritises deception and mobility rather than direct confrontation. Two members, Helmut Steltermann and Robert Staub, even adopt German Wehrmacht uniforms and plan to use a captured Volkswagen Kübelwagen to blend into enemy-held territory. Equipped with long-range radios, the team is prepared to relay vital intelligence back to Allied command and sabotage enemy communications during the confusion of the invasion.

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