The First Allied Airborne Army in Operation Varsity: Applying the Lessons of Arnhem.
Abstract
This extended essay describes the Allied planning and preparation for the final and most successful large-scale airborne operation of World War Two: Operation VARSITY. Often overlooked by military historians, this operation was critical to the success of Montgomery's Rhine crossing offensive in March 1945. Operation VARSITY is especially interesting because the First Allied Airborne Army, the responsible headquarters for this assault, made a determined effort to avoid the errors committed during Operation MARKET-GARDEN. The underlying theme of this essay is that Allied planners applied the painful lessons of Arnhem to almost every stage of planning for Operation VARSITY. Haunted by the decimation of the British 1st Airborne Division near Arnhem Bridge, First Allied Airbome Army commanders instituted changes in organization, command and tactics which secured the success of this final operation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 03, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA302856
Entities
People
- John J. Abbatiello
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology