[timbo]

Originally Posted by jim

True to a point but a dangerous occupation piloting those gliders. So many of them broke up on landing and killed the crews.

I suppose they were expendable in the big picture but I think those men deserve a mention. Often they had to grab a gun and join in the fighting after landing.

On the contrary - they were considered very valuable by high command, and were the only troops after D-Day that got an automatic ticket home to England once the regular ground forces joined up. I would not consider that expendable.

[jim]

Originally Posted by timbo

On the contrary - they were considered very valuable by high command, and were the only troops after D-Day that got an automatic ticket home to England once the regular ground forces joined up. I would not consider that expendable.

I agree but they still took high casualties on ops.

They would fit well along with their gliders very near the top of the underated thread.

[timbo]

Originally Posted by jim

I agree but they still took high casualties on ops.

They would fit well along with their gliders very near the top of the underated thread.

Agreed

[Shawn 507]

Many glider pilots were told to land and make thier way to the coast on D-Day. Though many chose to stay and fight until they were ordered to the rear and England.
And while the gliders did bring in supplies to the Airborne Divisions, it doesn't help much if they are cracked up from the landing. Remember the 101st lost its DCG / 2IC because his glider was overloaded and couldn't stop properly. Then there are stories of gliders falling apart enroute to Holland, probably recycles from Normandy.
The gliders did their best work in the CBI with the 1st Air Commandos.
- Shawn

[MoMo]

I think that the gliders worked best in situations where there was a real demand for precision and speed. Pegasus Bridge is a fine example, but remember that the German Army also used them in the attack on the West in 1940. Their ability to drop in on the Belgian forts surprised the defenders and confounded their attempts to defend.

I think that where the gliders were misused, was when they were used in mass to try and swamp defences.

I don't think that we should award the gliders with the " Worst Piece.." award just yet!

[timbo]

From what I've read that was directly the 2IC's fault as he stupidly ordered that plate be put it the bottom to give some sort of protection from ack-ack. (I think that was in Mr Ambrose's Band of Brothers book), but I'm probably wrong on that one as I'm going from memory.

Not all troops in the Airborne divisions were parachute qualified by a long shot and unless you have an airfield there is no alternative to get them and the heavy equipment in. I would think it's preferable to have some loss of resources due to landing accident rather than having none at all to support you. Dropping a jeep with a 6 pounder out the rear door of a C47 isn't really practical now is it?

[MoMo]

Re: Worst Piece of WW2 Kit!

---

From what I've read that was directly the 2IC's fault as he stupidly ordered that plate be put it the bottom to give some sort of protection from ack-ack. (I think that was in Mr Ambrose's Band of Brothers book), but I'm probably wrong on that one as I'm going from memory.

You may be correct about BOB, Timbo, but they refer to that incident in " Saving Private Ryan ". It comes at the sequence where they come across many casualties. A glider pilot explains to the guys that his boss insisted that the plate was welded on, and what the horrific results were. Just after that they start to count dog-tags.

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by timbo

From what I've read that was directly the 2IC's fault as he stupidly ordered that plate be put it the bottom to give some sort of protection from ack-ack. (I think that was in Mr Ambrose's Band of Brothers book), but I'm probably wrong on that one as I'm going from memory.

Not all troops in the Airborne divisions were parachute qualified by a long shot and unless you have an airfield there is no alternative to get them and the heavy equipment in. I would think it's preferable to have some loss of resources due to landing accident rather than having none at all to support you. Dropping a jeep with a 6 pounder out the rear door of a C47 isn't really practical now is it?

Yes I'm well familiar with the TO&E of a WW2 Airborne Division, and I've done 12 yrs between the 82nd and 10worst. If the ends justify the means then I guess its alright. But having that jeep and 57mm in a flipped glider does noone any good. And yes a glider has a better chance than door bundles, but not by much. The glidermen and pilots are great soldiers, I've drank more than my fair share with a 77 yr old vet, and danced with his very single and very attractive granddaughter ( who owned a Virginia horse farm ) during a reunion at Ft. Bragg. They are still hard as nails and full of energy, but even they admit it wasn't the best idea going.
But as a 20 something, its all about the fun an adventure. Their words not mine. And yes. Gen Pratt or his staff screwed the glider by adding armor plate. Too afraid to jump and too lazy to walk!! Jion the gliders, no flight pay, no jump pay. But never a dull moment!
- Shawn

[timbo]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

Yes I'm well familiar with the TO&E of a WW2 Airborne Division, and I've done 12 yrs between the 82nd and 10worst. If the ends justify the means then I guess its alright. But having that jeep and 57mm in a flipped glider does noone any good. And yes a glider has a better chance than door bundles, but not by much. The glidermen and pilots are great soldiers, I've drank more than my fair share with a 77 yr old vet, and danced with his very single and very attractive granddaughter ( who owned a Virginia horse farm ) during a reunion at Ft. Bragg. They are still hard as nails and full of energy, but even they admit it wasn't the best idea going.
But as a 20 something, its all about the fun an adventure. Their words not mine. And yes. Gen Pratt or his staff screwed the glider by adding armor plate. Too afraid to jump and too lazy to walk!! Jion the gliders, no flight pay, no jump pay. But never a dull moment!
- Shawn

I take it you prefer the 82nd???

I have to take my hats off to anyone that "joined" the airborne. it really was a high risk adventure, either comming in hot for a controled crash or juming out of a plane takes some nerve.

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by timbo

I take it you prefer the 82nd??? I have to take my hats off to anyone that "joined" the airborne. it really was a high risk adventure, either comming in hot for a controled crash or juming out of a plane takes some nerve.

Yeah you can say that. The only good things I can say about my 101st time are:

1. The soldier in that Platoon were the best to date.
2. My fellow Plt NCOs knew how to be NCOs
3. And the Old Glider Rider Regiment I was assigned to (327th) originally belonged to the 82nd Division in WW1.
- Shawn