James(Operation)

Operation Plunder/varsity Operation plunder and Varsity are two very closely related operations, one right after another. Plunder March 23rd, Operation Varsity March 24th. Plunder was the ground assault to cross the Rhine, Varsity was the joint airborne operation of America, Britain, Canada, and French squads mixed in there. Some people thought that it was dumb of Montgomery to go in with the Airborne divisions. But Historians have found support for the operation to cross the Rhine. for his cause. The allies had broken across the river in two other spots. but the reason they wanted to go in was fora three pronged attack. You see Hitler knew that the allies where going to cross the Rhine again. But he also knew that there was a little strife between Montgomery and Eisenhower. Some people say that General George C. Marshall was the only person holding the allies together. And he was hoping for one of two things, that one the strife would dismantle the two armies, or two that his "super weapons" would be ready by the time that they would start there third crossing of the Rhine. March 16th both the US and the British lit huge smoke bombs to cover the preparing allies, but didn't do anything until March 23rd. On March 23rd and 24th Americans, Canadians, and British alike were waiting for the signal "two if by sea". And that was their signal to go. late March 22nd and early March 23rd The Allies started the attack the attack with 4,000 guns firing on Wesel Germany. At 2100 hours March 23rd the Allies started the land assault across the Rhine. The British/ Scottish battalions landed between Rees and Wesel. They didn't meet any resistance at first, but later on they did. From my research I think that The British 1st commando Brigade entered Wesel from the east. The US, 30th and 79th divisions entered Wesel from the south. Although it started very late March 22nd and March 23rd, it went on into March 24th. and by late March 24th the US had a bridge across the Rhine which made it easier for the Allies to get across. A carrier taking troops Across the Rhine.
 * Intro**
 * //Reason for war//**
 * //Operation Plunder//**

The main objective for Operation was to help take Wesel, Hamminkeln,Schnappenberg, and the little village of Diersfordt. The British were to also take three bridges over the Issel river, and clear a forest of all enemies. They were dropped behind Enemy (German) lines, and help operation Plunder however they could. It was also to make sure that they had a good Footing/corner stone in Northwestern Germany. So how long they had been waiting there I can't find. But The Americans would take off from 17 different airfields in France. The British 11 Airfields in southern Britain. In the wee hours of March 24th the 28 airfields got the "if two by sea" signal. It was an all go from there. There is so much to tell you about how they prepared but it would be another eight paragraphs. So ill tell you nice, short and sweet. As the planes where going to there extraction point the men were quiet and solemn, focusing on what they had to do next. They all dropped out of the planes and landed and then regrouped. And within that day March 24th the Allies completed their objectives.
 * //Operation Varsity//**

The Allies of course had casualties. But not as much as they had anticipated. The Germans of course lost. The town of Wesel in Germany was almost completely decimated by all of the gun fire, and all that had gone on. And I am pretty sure the Forest took some damage. But all of this stuff is anticipated in wars. Operation Varsity took the trophy for the largest airborne drop in the worlds history.
 * //Aftermath//**



Well there you go. It was a fun thing to research, and I learned a lot. And I hope you did as well. But we went over Operation Plunder, Operation Varsity, and the aftermath of it. What I didn't tell you which you already know is it helped lead on to the taking of the rest of Germany, and crushing the Nazis.
 * //Ending//**

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