WW2 Nation Podcast

In Episode 27 of the WW2 Nation Podcast, it is our concluding instalment looking at Operation Varsity - the airborne element of the Rhine Crossings of March 1945 - with battlefield guide Alex Collins. We discover more about the resupply mission, delve into the remarkable actions that saw the awards of both the VC and Medal of Honor decorations during this operation, as well as discuss the relief of, and casualties incurred by the those men of British 6th Airborne and US 17th Airborne Divisions who jumped the River Rhine into Germany.

Music Featured: Hearts & Flowers by Jeff Kaale (SoundCloud/Instagram)

*Please note this episode may contain some explicit language / content, parental guidance advised.*

In Episode 26 of the WW2 Nation Podcast we mark the anniversary of Operation Varsity - 24th March 1945 - by speaking with battlefield guide Alex Collins to learn more about one of the largest Allied airborne operations of the war, as well as the experiences of those men of British 6th Airborne and US 17th Airborne Divisions who jumped the River Rhine into Germany. 

Music Featured: Hearts & Flowers by Jeff Kaale (SoundCloud/Instagram)

*Please note this episode may contain some explicit language / content, parental guidance advised.*

To mark the 75th Anniversary Commemorations of VE Day, we spoke with a few of the veterans we know about their experiences on 8th May 1945 and hear their advice for future generations.

During the Second World War, Rusty joined the RAF. He was selected for Pilot training and learned to fly in Canada as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme. Having completed his training and gained his wings, he was eventually posted to Bomber Command’s 101 ‘Special Duties’ Squadron where he flew a Lancaster over Germany and France, including raids over Berlin and the ill fated Nuremberg Operation of March 1944. Surviving numerous night fighter attacks, German flak and even a mid-air collision with another Lancaster over Belgium, Rusty and his crew completed their full tour of 30 operations. Amazingly after the war Rusty then went on to fly Dakota’s during the Berlin Airlift 1948-49.

*Please note this episode may contain some explicit language / content, parental guidance advised.*

To mark the 75th Anniversary Commemorations of VE Day, we spoke with a few of the veterans we know about their experiences on 8th May 1945 and hear their advice for future generations.

Ken served in 3 Troop, C Squadron of the 1 Northamptonshire Yeomanry. His unit arrived in Normandy a few days after D-Day and its Sherman Tanks were thrown into the thick of the action as an independent armoured brigade. Ken operated as a gunner, but due to his taking / passing the initial test for officer training before the unit left for oversea operations, he was promoted to a tank commander and frequently utilised in this role, taking over from other tank co’s when they were wounded. Ken served the whole way through the fierce fighting of the Normandy Campaign including in and around Caen, then the breakout towards Falaise and the Seine. This included Operation Totalise and the fierce battle to take and hold the bourguebus ridge in August 1944. Following the break out he took part in the capture of Le Havre before eventually going onto fighting into and through Holland. But in October 1944 Ken’s war was over, his tank overturned and he sustained a serious leg injury, he was evacuated by Dakota back to the UK to undergo an operation and recover.

*Please note this episode may contain some explicit language / content, parental guidance advised.*

To mark the 75th Anniversary Commemorations of VE Day, we spoke with a few of the veterans we know about their experiences on 8th May 1945 and hear their advice for future generations.

Bob Sullivan (MBE) served with the 6th Airborne Division’s 3rd Parachute Squadron R.E. during the Second World War. Jumping into Normandy on D-Day and helping blow the bridge across the River Dives at Robehomme, Bob saw action the whole way through the Normandy Campaign, in the Ardennes and in Holland, before being wounded in the left leg by mortar fire near his RV on Drop Zone A during the drop over the Rhine, Op Varsity in March 1945.

*Please note this episode may contain some explicit language / content, parental guidance advised.*

To mark the 75th Anniversary Commemorations of VE Day, we spoke with a few of the veterans we know about their experiences on 8th May 1945 and hear their advice for future generations.

Alan served in ‘B’ Squadron the 1st East Riding Yeomanry as a wireless operator on a Sherman Tank. Landing in Normandy on D-Day on 6th June 1944 as part of 27th Armoured Brigade, Alan and his crew fought all the way through Normandy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and into Germany. He took part in Operation Charnwood, Goodwood, Astonia, Operation Alan in the Netherlands, the Battle of the Bulge and subsequent Rhine Crossings. Alan had been incredibly lucky in Normandy as he and his crew had 3 tanks shot out from under them. On 8th July 1944 during the engagement at Galmanche, Alan sadly lost his close friend Corporal Louis Wilkes – every year Alan visits and pays his respect to his former tank commander.

*Please note this episode may contain some explicit language / content, parental guidance advised.*

To mark the 75th Anniversary Commemorations of VE Day, we spoke with a few of the veterans we know about their experiences on 8th May 1945 and hear their advice for future generations.

Denzil had initially joined the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) during the early stages of the war, before going on to join the Glider Pilot Regiment. Trained to fly the British Horsa Glider, Denzil went on to take part in Operation Mallard in Normandy on D-Day in June 1944. He and his fellow co-pilot then transported troops into battle around Arnhem as part of Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands in September 1944. Denzil found himself fighting for his life as he and his colleagues faced overwhelming odds and became embroiled in bitter house-to-house street fighting.

*Please note this episode may contain some explicit language / content, parental guidance advised.*

To mark the 75th Anniversary Commemorations of VE Day, we spoke with a few of the veterans we know about their experiences on 8th May 1945 and hear their advice for future generations.

Jeff joined up before the war with the territorials 1/7th Middlesex Battalion which was equipped with Vickers Machine Guns, and saw service with the ‘Die Hards’ the whole way through the war, from its very start to its end. Jeff fought in France as part of the BEF in 1940 where he was evacuated at Dunkirk, he went on to fight in North Africa taking part in the Battle of El Alamein, then Sicily, before landing in Normandy and battling all the way through into Germany where he was on VE Day.

Jeff was one of those caught up in the fierce fighting in the Reichswald Forest in Feb 1945. He was awarded an MM for his role during this battle – which was later personally awarded by Montgomery himself. Sadly though, it was also in this same encounter that he lost his close friend and comrade, Sgt. Frank Dollin, on this day 75 years ago.

*Please note this episode may contain some explicit language / content, parental guidance advised.*

To mark the 75th Anniversary Commemorations of VE Day, we spoke with a few of the veterans we know about their experiences on 8th May 1945 and hear their advice for future generations.

Having witnessed some of the events of the Hull Blitz, Jim joined the Merchant Navy at 15 serving onboard the Empire Larch Tug, where he and his crew-mates took part in D-Day assisting in the construction of the Mulberry Harbour – Port Winston – just off Arromanches near Gold Beach. There they stayed off the coast of Normandy acting as a rescue vessel assisting other crafts, men and crews in distress. Many of you will have no doubt heard Jim’s incredibly powerful account of his memories of these days in the form of his song – ‘The Shores of Normandy’ – which cannot help but bring a tear to your eye.

*Please note this episode may contain some explicit language / content, parental guidance advised.*

To mark the 75th Anniversary Commemorations of VE Day, we spoke with a few of the veterans we know about their experiences on 8th May 1945 and hear their advice for future generations.

Mervyn Kersch served with the RAOC from D-Day through to Germany. Nearly not making it to Normandy due to being put on a charge by an officer for not eating the supplied meat in army meals as it wasn’t kosher, that was quickly sorted and Mervyn continued in the training ahead of Operation Overlord. He would land on Gold Beach a few days after the 6th June, where he was part of setting up the vital vehicle parks to maintain the supply and demand of the land army from motorbike to tanks. He even managed to ‘borrow’ a jeep to drive around in. From the breakout of Normandy, Mervyn was part of the advance that moved across Belgium and the Netherlands. Mervyn spent time in Celle and would encounter many of the liberated Jews from Bergen Belson who were awaiting transport. He was able to speak to some of the survivors in broken English, French, German and Yiddish. He recalls many he spoke to wanting to travel to Eretz. On the 7th May, Mervyn embarked a train to Brussels, they were to prepare to go to the Far East. The train arrived on the 9th May where they were then informed the war in Europe was over and hostilities had ceased.

*Please note this episode may contain some explicit language / content, parental guidance advised.*