Category Archives: Archive Documents

Archive documents buttonPosts and articles that reproduce original archive documents in full or in part. See also Veteran’s Accounts and Glider Stories.

The Story of Glider 88 – the Battle for LZ 2

Surrounded by enemy positions, with many wounded at risk, a small group of glider troops overcame the odds. Glider: Waco CG-4A number 88, ‘Powder River Montana’, serial no. 245697.Glider carrying: part of 11 Platoon of B Company, 1st Battalion of … Continue reading

Posted in All Posts, Archive Documents, Glider Stories, Operation Ladbroke - Sicily 1943, Veterans' accounts | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Tommy Grant’s Operation Beggar – Horsas for Sicily Invasion

In Operation Beggar, Horsa gliders desperately needed for the invasion of Sicily were flown all the way from England to Tunisia, through skies patrolled by German aircraft. RAF Flight Lieutenant D A ‘Tommy’ Grant was one of the key men … Continue reading

Posted in All Posts, Archive Documents, Operation Ladbroke - Sicily 1943, Veterans' accounts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

3 Commando – the Storming of Torre Cuba

3 Commando’s capture of the Italian strongpoint at Torre Cuba helped prepare the ground (literally) for the surrender of Italy and the signing of the Armistice. Major Peter Young had a disappointing start to Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of … Continue reading

Posted in All Posts, Archive Documents, Operation Husky - Sicily 1943 | Tagged | Leave a comment

Lt J S D Hardy, RSO of 1 Border Regiment in Operation Ladbroke

Lt J S D Hardy was Regimental Signals Officer of the 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment in Operation Ladbroke. This is his account. Lt J S D Hardy was part of the Battalion HQ team of 1 Border Regiment … Continue reading

Posted in All Posts, Archive Documents, Operation Ladbroke - Sicily 1943, Veterans' accounts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Italian Cavalry Attack British Glider Troops on the Ponte Grande Bridge?

The source was impeccable: the BBC. The news was incredible: Italian cavalry had charged British airborne troops holding the Ponte Grande bridge. In the middle of WW2, could it possibly be true? The thunder of hooves, clods of earth flying, weapons … Continue reading

Posted in All Posts, Archive Documents, Operation Ladbroke - Sicily 1943, Veterans' accounts | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Glider Pilots to Blame for Operation Ladbroke Disaster? Part 2

The CO of the glider pilots blamed their ‘limitations’ for the ‘near disaster’ of Operation Ladbroke. That was later. What did he say at the time? In Part 1 we saw how Operation Ladbroke, the glider assault that opened the invasion of … Continue reading

Posted in All Posts, Archive Documents, Operation Ladbroke - Sicily 1943 | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unseen US document reveals impact of glider battle at Maleme

Glider troops of Germany’s airborne forces landed around Maleme Bridge in Crete in May 1941. They were decimated. The Germans decided never again to mount a major airborne assault. The Allies drew the opposite lesson, as a previously unseen American document shows. … Continue reading

Posted in All Posts, Archive Documents, Battlefield Visits, Gliders in WW2 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Battle plans for Staffords glider troops in Operation Ladbroke in Sicily

The 2nd battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment was chosen as the leading glider assault troops for Operation Ladbroke, the opening move of Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily. These are the orders they were given just days before the battle. … Continue reading

Posted in All Posts, Archive Documents, Operation Ladbroke - Sicily 1943 | Tagged , , , , , , | 70 Comments

German predictions for Operation Ladbroke & airborne landings in Sicily

German General Kurt Student’s June 1943 report reproduced in full.  One month before Operation Ladbroke, the opening glider assault in Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily, the leader of Germany’s airborne forces produced an intelligence report. It predicted with startling … Continue reading

Posted in All Posts, Archive Documents, Operation Ladbroke - Sicily 1943 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment