Category Archives: Archive Documents

Archive documents buttonPosts and articles that reproduce original archive documents in full or in part.

Italian Cavalry Attack British Glider Troops on the Ponte Grande Bridge

Posted on 12/10/2017 by Ian Murray

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 →

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The Story of Glider 70 – Disaster for Medics in Operation Ladbroke

Posted on 08/11/2016 by Ian Murray

Waco glider 70 landed in the sea off Sicily. So did the other two gliders full of medical men attached to 1 Border Regiment in Operation Ladbroke. This was a disaster not just for the medics, but also the men … Continue reading →

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Glider Pilots to Blame for Operation Ladbroke Disaster? Part 2

Posted on 08/10/2016 by Ian Murray

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 →

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The Story of Glider 26 – Combat Medics in Operation Ladbroke

Posted on 04/09/2016 by Ian Murray

Glider 26 carried a surgical team in the invasion of Sicily. According to contemporary reports, the medics not only saved lives, but they also fought to do so. Glider: CG4-A Waco 26, serial no. 243811. Tug: C-47 or C-53, serial 41-18418, nose (squadron) … Continue reading →

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Unseen US document reveals impact of glider battle at Maleme

Posted on 28/06/2016 by Ian Murray

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 an airborne assault. The Allies drew the opposite lesson, as a previously unseen American document shows. “Stand … Continue reading →

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The Story of Glider 126 – Operation Ladbroke

Posted on 07/01/2016 by Ian Murray

Glider 126 made a good landing not far from the LZs, a rare occurrence in Operation Ladbroke. This is the story of the men who flew in her and fought for the Ponte Grande bridge. Glider: Waco 126, “Lil Miss-Take”, serial no. … Continue reading →

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Battle plans for Staffords glider troops in Operation Ladbroke in Sicily

Posted on 14/11/2015 by Ian Murray

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 →

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German predictions for Operation Ladbroke & airborne landings in Sicily

Posted on 16/08/2015 by Ian Murray

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 →

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