WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk VE Day: Operation VARSITY (Part 3)
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Apr 22, 2025 Discover the chaos of Operation VARSITY as Allied forces forge ahead against intense German resistance. Relive the harrowing landings near Wiesel, where soldier resilience faced overwhelming challenges. Explore the unpredictable nature of warfare as brave troops cross the Rhine amidst artillery fire and operational chaos. Uncover the complex dynamics of Allied cooperation, particularly the tensions between French and American forces. Finally, delve into the psychological landscape as the final stages of WWII unfold, revealing the absurdities of Nazi propaganda and impending surrender.
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Derek Glacester's Wounded Heroics
- Sergeant Derek Glacester was wounded by a bullet right before landing near an 88mm German gun during Operation Varsity.
- Despite his left arm being useless, he managed to kill five approaching Germans before being shot and captured.
Devastation of Wesel Town
- The town of Wesel was utterly destroyed by the Allied bombing, leaving it unrecognizable with rubble and huge craters.
- This level of destruction rendered maps useless and made ground operations extremely difficult for the commandos.
Artillery Controls the Battlefield
- Allied artillery dominance was crucial; once the guns were online, the Allies controlled the battlefield.
- The pause in artillery fire during airborne landings created dangerous windows for ground troops without artillery support.