welcome
BBC

BBC

World

World

RAF Rivenhall event remembers 'forgotten' WW2 airborne operation

BBC
Summary
Nutrition label

84% Informative

Operation Varsity was the largest single airborne operation in history.

More than 16,000 men were dropped into western Germany on the same day .

Paratroopers and gliders were dropped directly on top of the German lines at the River Rhine .

80 people from RAF Rivenhall alone lost their lives in the battle.

At least 1,070 members of the U.S. and British 6th Airborne Division died on 24 March 1945 .

Danny Mason , now 98 , joined the Parachute Regiment aged 19 just a week earlier .

A memorial service will be held at RAF Rivenhall , Shropshire , 23 March .