Operation Varsity was the last major airborne offensive of World War II and remains the largest and most successful single-lift drop in history. Conducted by the British 6th and the American 17th Airborne Divisions, the goal of the operation was to cross the Rhine River and gain a foothold in Germany. Drawing on war diaries, unit histories, after-action reports, and interviews with veterans, The Last Drop details the horrors of parachuting through flak-filled skies, the dangers of piloting a glider safely to the ground, and the struggles of infantry combat, and shows how thorough training, extensive planning, solid execution, and sheer guts combined to make Operation Varsity a stunning victory.
My interest in WW2 comes from my uncle, S/Sgt Billy Marfleet, who was a British Glider Pilot. He died when his glider crashed into the Channel on the night of 5/6 June 1944. I wanted to know more about Billy's experiences as a Glider Pilot, so I started my research. This led to 'One Night In June', which tells the story of the operation in which he was involved.
My interest in Airborne Forces grew and my continued research led to reading about Operation Varsity. There wasn't a great deal of information on this pivotal event, and the only book on the whole operation was in German. So, I continued my research, contacted archives and veterans and 'The Last Drop' is the result.
My research and reading continues and there may yet be another book.
