National WWII Glider Pilots Association

Legacy Organization of veterans National WWII Glider Pilots Association.



National WWII Glider Pilots Association emblem 1971-2018    Troop Carrier Command     Tweleth Air Force Wings of WWII Glider Pilots Association                  




SICILY   BURMA   NORMANDY   SOUTHERN FRANCE   HOLLAND   BASTOGNE   RHINE CROSSING   LUZON
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HOLLAND GLIDER SERIALS:
Market September 17 - September 23, 1944

HOLLAND GLIDER SERIALS ONLY:
Mission DateSerialTC GroupsubMissionAir Field# CG-4A# HorsaInf. Div.LoadLanding ZoneNotes
Mission DateSerialTC GroupsubMissionAir Field# CG-4A# HorsaInf. Div.LoadLanding ZoneNotes
1944-09-17A2843916332482-Balderton 50082A/80 AA-AT Bn. & variousN
1944-09-17A2943716332469-Ramsbury 350101Various elementsW
1944-09-17A3043716332469-Ramsbury 350101Recon Pl. + Regiment jeepsW
1944-09-18A3543416333467-Aldermaston 4001011/401s GIR & HQ/327 GIRW
74th TCS Diary: 18 September 1944 - Tactical Glider Tow Mission - Twenty (20) planes of this squadron towed a like number of gliders piloted by members of the 72nd TC Sq. Serial A-35 of “Market” Operations. LZ’s were located in the vicinity of Eindohoven, Holland.
1944-09-18A3643916333482-Balderton 50082B/80th AA&AT Bn., jeepsN
1944-09-18A3743516333474-Welford Park 300101Elms 326 Md CoW
1944-09-18A3831316333484-Folkingham 42082307th A/B Med. Co., 307th A/B Engr. Bn. and Btry. A, 320th GFABN
SERIAL A-38: 313TH TC GROUP: 40 C-47’s, 2 C-53’s, and 42 CG-4A Gliders. Glider tow and release on LZ “N”. TOT 1109 D Plus 1. TOD 1431 to 1435. Load: 172 troops of the 82nd A/B Div., and 73,780 lbs. of equipment of the 307th A/B Med. Co., 307th A/B Engr. Bn. and Btry. A, 320th Glider FA Bn. Haze was encountered along the entire route. One A/C became separated from the formation, rejoined an unknown formation of A/C and gliders, and proceeded to LZ “W”. Where glider was given signal to cut loose with rest of formation. Aids were good. Rebecca in lead A/C burned out at March. One Rebecca picked up Antiqua 85 miles out. GEE worked well to Coast of Holland; A/C proceeded on pilotage thereafter. Aids on LZ were as anticipated, but no reception on the radio compass. Forty-one gliders were released at or in vicinity of LZ “N”. One A/C is missing, reported to have been seen to crash and explode. 7 A/C hit by ground fire.
1944-09-18A3943816333486-Greenham Common 400101HQ/377 PFaW
1944-09-18A406116333483-Barkstone Heath 40082B/320th GFAB -109 troops for the 82nd A/B Div., 17 jeeps, 7 trailers, 1 75 mm. howitzer and 33,301 lbs. of other combat equipmentT
SERIAL A-40: 61ST TC GROUP. 40 C-47 ’s and 40 CG-4A Gliders. Glider tow and release on LZ “T”. TOT 1130 D Plus 1. TOD 1437. Load: 109 troops for the 82nd A/B Div., 17 jeeps, 7 trailers, 1 75 mm. howitzer and 33,301 lbs. of other combat equipment. All A/C released gliders on LZ “T”. Two A/C were shot down. One crashed on the LZ; the other was seen going doan at railroad between LZ “N” and LZ “T”. Twelve AC hit by ground fire.
1944-09-18A4144216333404-Chilbolton 400101HQ & Sv Co + A/326 EngW
When the crews of the power planes returned some five and a half hours later, this was the way the story fitted togethe:
One glider had aborted over England when the tow rope broke about five minutes after leaving Chilbolton, but the pilot and 2nd. Lt. Ryser, landed safely with glider and cargo intact. The remaining 79 tow ships and gliders of the two Serials flew in by the northern route, encountering very little enemy fire in contrast with the previous day. There was but a single misadventure. About 3 miles from LZ-W, a random flak burst struck the wing of the Glider flown by Flight Officer Noel McCann, of the 306th TC squadron. The Glider literally disintegrated in mid air, caring flight officer McCann and to airborne troopers to an almost certain death. He is at present listed as missing in action.

The remaining 78 Glider is landed in LZ-W without mishap. Three C-47’s failed to return to base at the completion of the mission. One landed at Gosfield in the U.K. with one engine out and a flat tire, while a second landed at Woodbridge as a result of flak damage. The third plane number 43-15139, Piloted by first Lieutenant William J McCormick, Jr was obliged to ditch in the channel on route home. The crew was picked up after about 18 minutes by Air-Sea Rescue, and came through with only minor injuries.

The leader of the first glider serial, A-41, was 1st Lt. Lloyd A West, Ass't Group Glider Officer, while the lead glider of the second serial, A-53 was piloted by 1st Lt. Robert Neville. The contribution which had been made to the First Airborne Army's operations on D plus 1 by the 442nd T.C. Group could be broken down into the following statistics:
---314 Troops of the 306th Engineer Bn and the 506th Glider Unit carried into battle.
---25 jeeps delivered.
---81,830 pounds of combat equipment and rations delivered.

1944-09-18A4231616333489-Cottesmore 42082HQ/319th GFAB & 175 troops of the 82nd A/B Div. 2 photographers, 21 jeeps, 2 75 mm. howitzers, 4,266 lbs. of ammunition and 13,532 lbs. of combat equipmentT
SERIAL A-42: 316TH TC GROUP. 40 C-47 ’s, 2 C-53 ’s, and 42 CG-4A Gliders. Glider tow and release on LZ “T”. TOT 1135 D plus 1. TOD 1441 to 1450. Load: 175 troops of the 82nd A/B Div. 2 photographers, 21 jeeps, 2 75 mm. howitzers, 4,266 lbs. of ammunition and 13,532 lbs. of combat equipment. One CG-4A broke lose 16 minutes out over the English Channel and ditched. The glider pilot and all five passengers were picked up within 2 minutes by Air Sea Rescue Service. The power pilot reports sudden prop wash encountered. The glider pilots’ reports that he experienced extreme difficulty in keeping the glider under control as it swerved off course at a severe angle necessitating a release. The ditched glider carried 5 troops and 2, 075 lbs. of combat equipment. One squadron reports all gliders cut loose of their own accord immediately south of DZ “O”. The error was due to the lead glider pilot who saw gliders from previous serials on LZ “O” and cut loose thinking he was at the correct LZ. Following glider pilots cut loose at the same time. Several pilots neared of formation seeing glider ahead cut loose gave the green light to their own gliders. Two pilots informed gliders the LZ “T” was 8 miles East but to go ahead and release. Similar land marks (Bridge,, town and bend of river) may have contributed to the error although the markings observed on LZ “O” were not the same as those which were supposed to have been on the correct LZ. The lead pilot reports that an amber 5-minute warning light was given approximately 1 minute before the gliders cut loose, but no green light. Since the interplane communication system was out, the only communication was by the light which could have been missed by the glider pilots. One A/C is missing from this serial. It was last seen over the coast of Holland. Thirteen A/C were unserviceable due to flak; 6 others were slightly damaged by flak.
1944-09-18A4343616333466-Membury 4001012/327 GIRW
1944-09-18A4444016333488-Fulbeck 40082 B/319th GfaW
1944-09-18A4543716333469-Ramsbury 400101Div HQ + Div Signal + 1/401 GIRW
1944-09-18A4644116333490-Langar 40082Signal Co. & 307th Med & jeepsN
1944-09-18A4743416333467-Aldermaston 400101327 GIR + 401 GIRW
1944-09-18A4831316333484-Folkingham 40082137 troops of the 82nd A/B Div., and 97280 lbs. of equipment of the 320th Glider FA Bn., and 307th A/B Engr. Bn. N
SERIAL A-48 313TH TC GROUP: 39 C-47's, 1 C-53 and 40 CG-4A gliders. Glider tow and release on LZ “N”. TOT 1209 D plus 1. TOD 1532 to 1535. Load: 137 troops of the 82nd A/B Div., and 97280 lbs. of equipment of the 320th Glider FA Bn., and 307th A/B Engr. Bn. Thirty-nine A/C released their gliders on the LZ. One glider was abortive. It cut loose at approximately 1316 hours. the pilot of the glider returned to the station at 1700 hours an reported as follows: About 10 miles after passing MARCH, he was flying glider in formation behind tow plane when an airborne soldier who was in the co-pilot, suddenly began to yell, “Flak! Look at it”, and then yanked the glider tow release, cutting the glider loose from its tug plane. The glider pilot landed the glider in a field and put the airborne private under arrest, later turning him over to MP's at Station 484. One C-47 was hit in each wing and in gas tank by small arms fire, and one of the crew was slightly wounded. 4 other A/C received minor damage.
1944-09-18A4945316333474-Welford Park 300101Elms 326 Med Co.; Pltn 50th Field Hospital; 502 PIR jeepsW
1944-09-18A506116333483-Barkstone Heath 40082Load: 108 troops of the 82nd A/B Div., 319th GFAB, 17 jeeps, 7 trailers, 1 75 mm. howitzer, 3 105 mm. Howitzers, and 33,300 lbs. of other combat equipment.T
SERIAL A-50: 61ST TC GROUP: 40 C-47's and 40 CG-4A Gliders. Glider tow and release on LZ “T”. TOT 1237 D plus 1. TOD 1537. Load: 108 troops of the 82nd A/B Div., 17 jeeps, 7 trailers, 1 75 mm. howitzer, 3 105 mm. Howitzers, and 33,300 lbs. of other combat equipment. Thirty A/C released their gliders on LZ “T”. Of the remaining 10 gliders the lead glider cut off at 51° 37' 30" N - 04° 57' 00" E due to enemyu hits by AA. The tug plane returned to its home station. the next plane in the formation, without navigator and radar equipment, led the remaining 9 A/C with gliders to the IP. leaving the IP he flew slightly south of the prescribed course and released the gliders 12 miles southeast of LZ “T”. there were no A/C losses.
1944-09-18A5231616333489-Cottesmore 40082HQ/320th GFABN
SERIAL A-52: 316TH TC GROUP; 38 C-47's and 40 GC-4A Gliders. Glider tow and release on LZ “N”. TOT 1235 D plus 1. TOD 1434 to 1552. Load: 209 troops of the 82nd A/B Div., 17 Jeeps, 11 trailers, 3 75 mm. howitzers, and 26,160 lbs of ammunition and combat equipment. GEE equipment was jammed and the Eureka-Rebecca at LZ could not be picked up. Beacons in the UK and at “TAMPA” were effective. The lead glider released without signal when flak position opened up on the formation NW of GENNEP. The gliders following, 17 in number, released at the same time and landed 4 to 5 miles southeast of LA “T”. The location of 9 gliders is unknown, pilots either MIA, or hospitalised and unretunred. It was reported that one glider was seen to crash into a house; another glider was seen to receive a direct hit, knocking off a wing [glider was flown by F/O Noel C McCan of the 306th TC Squadron with two airborne troopers] and causing the glider to dive straight into the ground. Six gliders landed on or bordering the LZ. One glider hit by flak cut loose and landed on DZ “O”. Four gliders landed 4 miles from LZ. Two gliders released from 20 to 25 miles SW or LZ: one because of glider hitch failure; the other because its tug plane was shot don. One glider landed within Germany. The glider pilot has returned. Four C-47's were lost due to Flak.
1944-09-18A5344216333404-Chilbolton 400101B/326 Eng + 506 jeepsW
When the crews of the power planes returned some five and a half hours later, this was the way the story fitted togethe:
One glider had aborted over England when the tow rope broke about five minutes after leaving Chilbolton, but the pilot and 2nd. Lt. Ryser, landed safely with glider and cargo intact. The remaining 79 tow ships and gliders of the two Serials flew in by the northern route, encountering very little enemy fire in contrast with the previous day. There was but a single misadventure. About 3 miles from LZ-W, a random flak burst struck the wing of the Glider flown by Flight Officer Noel McCann, of the 306th TC squadron. The Glider literally disintegrated in mid air, caring flight officer McCann and to airborne troopers to an almost certain death. He is at present listed as missing in action.

The remaining 78 Gliders landed in LZ-W without mishap. Three C-47’s failed to return to base at the completion of the mission. One landed at Gosfield in the U.K. with one engine out and a flat tire, while a second landed at Woodbridge as a result of flak damage. The third plane number 43—15139, Piloted by first Lieutenant William J McCormick, Jr was obliged to ditch in the channel on route home. The crew was picked up after about 18 minutes by Air-Sea Rescue, and came through with only minor injuries.

The leader of the first glider serial, A-41, was 1st Lt. Lloyd A West, Ass't Group Glider Officer, while the lead glider of the second serial, A-53 was piloted by 1st Lt. Robert Neville. The contribution which had been made to the First Airborne Army's operations on D plus 1 by the 442nd T.C. Group could be broken down into the following statistics:
---314 Troops of the 306th Engineer Bn and the 506th Glider Unit carried into battle.
---25 jeeps delivered.
---81,830 pounds of combat equipment and rations delivered.

1944-09-18A5444016333488-Fulbeck 40082B & C/456 Pfa & Div. Arty HQT
NINETY-EIGHTH TC SQUADRON: September 18 found us prepared for the Glider Mission which departed Fulbeck at 1205 with twenty- of our aircraft participating in a Group formation of eight planes. To the Officer and Enlisted Men back at Fulbeck, things began to look bad when we accounted for only nineteen planes returning, but much to our surprise and through the skillful Piloting of 1st Lt Richard R LUNDREN, we later learned that our missing plane had landed safely at an airport in England with one Engine and the Hydraulic system shot out. Our record of not having lost any aircraft or personnel had not yet been broken
1944-09-18A5543616333466-Membury 400101 2/327 GIRW
1944-09-18A5644116333490-Langar 40082A & B/456th PfaN
1944-09-18A5743716333469-Ramsbury 3001011/401 GIRW
1944-09-19A7243416334467-Aldermaston 41010181 AA/AT BnW
1944-09-19A7343516334474-Welford 3101011/401 GIRW
2 Losses
1944-09-19A7443816334486-Greenham Common 40010181 AA/AT BnW
1944-09-19A7444216334404-Chilbolton 4001011/327 GIRW
2 loses
1944-09-19A7544216334404-Chilbolton 4001011/327 GIRW

Status of A-75 and A-81


1944-09-19A7643616334466-Membury 4101011/327 GIRW
1944-09-19A7843416334467-Aldermaston 400101HQ/321 GfaW
19 September 1944 from the 74th TCS Diary: Tactical Glider Tow Mission - Twenty-three (23) planes of this Squadron towed eighteen (18) gliders piloted by members of the 74th TC Sq., and 2 gliders piloted by members of the 72nd TC Sq. IN this same Serial the 72nd TC Sq towed twenty (20) glider piloted by glider pilots of the 74th TC Sq. Serial A-78 of “Market” Operations - LZ’s were located in the same vicinity as those in Serial A-35.
1944-09-19A7943516334474-Welford 310101377 Gfa & 81 AA/AT BnW
1944-09-19A8043816334486-Greenham Common 400101321 Gfa & HQ/907 GfaW
1944-09-19A8144216334404-Chilbolton 410101B/907 Gfa + HQ/907 GFaW

Status of A-75 and A-81


1944-09-19A8243616334466-Membury 410101a/907 Gfa + HQ/907 GfaW
1944-09-23A10543616338466-Membury 470101a/907 Gfa + HQ/907 GfaW
1944-09-23A10643816338486-Greenham Common 380101B/907 Gfa + HQ/907 Gfa + elem. DivW
1944-09-23A8831316338484-Folkingham 49082325th GIRO
SERIAL A-88: 313TH TC GROUP; 47 C-47’s, 2 C-53s and 49 GC-4A Gliders. Glider tow and release on LZ “O”. TOT 1210 D plus 6. TOD 1603 to 1610. Load: 403 troops and 72,929 lbs of equipment of the 325th Glider Inf. Twenty-eight gliders were released on LZ. Two gliders towed by A/C which were shot down landed 20 miles southwest of LZ. Three other gliders cut loose prematurely 7 to 8 miles from the LZ because of incorrect signal given by the tug plane. Another glider in this formation was cut loose prematurely by enemy fire which severed the tow rope 7 miles from LZ. The balance of the formation, 15 gliders, then cut loosed landing from 3 to 6 miles from the LZ. All personnel proceeded t the A/B CP. 10 A/C were damaged by enemy fire.
1944-09-23A896116338483-Barkstone Heath 43082325th GIRO
SERIAL A-89: 61ST TC GROUP; 43 C-47’s, and 43 GC-4A Gliders. Glider tow and release on LZ “O”. TOT 1255 D plus 6. TOD 1602 to 1607. Load: 547 troops, 82nd A/B Div., 1,600 lbs. of ammunition, 500 lbs. of signal equipment, jeep and trailers weighing 3,670 lbs., and 50 lbs., of water. One glider was abortive because its tow rope pulled loose over ENGLAND. A second glider cut loose on red light and a third glider cut loos of VEGHEL, when enemy flak disabled the right aileron. One glider was released 10 miles from the LZ because the tow plane was shot down. Thirty-nine A/C released their gliders on LZ.
1944-09-23A9031616338489-Cottesmore 41082325th GIRO
SERIAL A-90: 316TH TC GROUP; 41 C-47’s, and 41 GC-4A Gliders. Glider tow and release on LZ “O”. TOT 1300 D plus 6. TOD 1616 to 1620. Load: 519 troops, 82nd Glider; 18,915 lbs of combat equipment, ammunition, and medical supplies. No aborts. One C-47 last due to flak. Navigational aids worked successfully. Twelve A/C received battle damage. Because of crowded traffic conditions about LZ one glider pilot landed in a good field 2 miles northeast of LZ.
1944-09-23A9144016338488-Fulbeck 40082325th GIRO
1944-09-23A9244116338490-Langar 40082325th GIRO
1944-09-23A9331316338484-Folkingham 49082325th GIRO
SERIAL A-93: 313TH TC GROUP; 48 C-47’s, and 49 GC-4A Gliders. Glider tow and release on LZ “O”. TOT 1310 D plus 6. TOD 1658 to 1703. Load: 621 troops and 31,121 lbs of equipment of the 325th Glider Inf. Forty-six gliders were released on LZ “O”. One glider released 12 miles SW of LZ when its tug plane was hit by flak. One glider released 5 miles SW of the LZ, its tow rope cut by flak. One glider released 1 mile north of EINDHOVEN: when hit by flak the glider got out of control. One C-47 is missing due to flak; 3 A/C were damaged.
1944-09-23A9431616338489-Cottesmore 4808280th AA&AT Bn & Div Recon PltO
SERIAL A-94: 316TH TC GROUP; 46 C-47’s, 2 C-53&dsquo;s and 48 CG-4A Gliders. Glider tow and release on LZ “O”. TOT 1345 D plus 6. TOD 1708. Load: 195 troops, 82nd Glider; 112,085 lbs of combat equipment, 5,325 lbs of ammunition. No aborts. Slight deviation from briefed route. Acting upon advise of several unidentified outbound A/C the element changed its course approximately 15 miles before reaching EINDHOVEN. These A/C reported a heavy concentration of enemy fire in the vicinity of EINDHOVEN. Navigational aid worked successfully. One C-53 A?C was lost due to flak. All gliders landed on the LZ.
1944-09-23A9544016338488-Fulbeck 4808280th AA&AT Bn & Div Recon PltO
NINETY-EIGHTH TC SQUADRON: In preparation for the next Glider Mission which was to tow our Glider Pilots, our Squadron marshaled twenty-two planes on September 20th. Everyone was alerted and was instructed to wait for the weather to clear up. On September 23, when the weather finally cleared, our aircraft departed Fulbeck with gliders in tow at 1245. All of our aircraft returned safely, though a few were shot up, with the exception of one which was later found to have landed near Brussels with the left engine out of commission due to Enemy ground fire. One of our Glider Pilots did not return from this mission, and has since been listed Officially as mission in action, his name is Flight Officer Herbert J Wasson.
Serial Information
1944-09-23A9644116338490-Langar 5008280th AA&AT Bn & 307 EngO
Special thanks to Hans den Brok



 sidebar




ASSAULT MAP.

FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS.


Otto Lyons 19 - 2019
talks about his experience in Market/Garden.

Full feature documentary.

(0:37:46)

OPERATION “MARKET” The Airborne Invasion of Holland, September 17, 1944



National Archives/NWWIIGPA collection
Back Caption: Credit...Signal Corps Photo.
American Airborne Troops, members of the new airborne allied army, relax beside their decorated glider before the take-off for the assault on Holland and the Nazi-held Sigfried Line. 377th [Glider] Field Artillery [flown in by the 438th TCG / 87th TCS from Greenham Common]



Back Caption:Member of the 9th Troop Carrier Command prepare their gliders for another mission in Holland. 2 Sept. 1944




National Archives/NWWIIGPA collection
The man to the very right is 1st Lt. Martin H. Stutman who was the platoon leader for Battery C of the 81st Anti Aircraft/Anti Tank Battalion. He sat in the copilots seat, because they were short copilots and rather than have the seat empty, and for balance reasons, infantry and usually someone of rank, was put in that seat. The pilot next to him is Flight officer Lt. William.V. Zajac from Buffalo N.Y. Lt.Stutman was from New York City and they are watching Sgt. S. R. Romero, from Nora, New Mexico put on the finishing touches to their glider. The photo was taken on 9/18/44 at their 438th field just prior to Market Garden. D-1. Zajac and Romero were in the 89th TCS 438th TCG, Greenham Common.
This photo shows the tail number and Charles Day said Glider serial is 341613 which is 43-41613 which is a legitimate Gibson Refrig production number likely delivered around middle of 1944.



The route from England.



National Archives/NWWIIGPA collection
Back Caption:The glider pictued here at Best, Holland, was just one of many used in the invasion of Southern Holland, 18 September 1944.



(H. den Brok collection)
In a village just before Eindhoven, civilians cheer and point to the sky while C-47s and gliders pass by.



(National Archives/H. den Brok collection)
A formation of tow planes and gliders of the 37th Troop Carrier Squadron over the inundated Dutch coastal area. The gliders are heading for LZ-T. Half of the squadron’s gliders would overshoot the LZ and the majority of the glider pilots became prisoner of war.



(National Archives - Still Signal Corps film/H. den Brok collection)
Glider landing at Son.




(M. Litton/H. den Brok collection)
Crossing the British coast, heading for Holland.