Abandoned gliders after the crossing of the Rhine, March 1945

Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, North West Europe, 1945.

On 24 March 1945 over 1,300 American and British gliders crossed the river in support of 21st Army Group's drive into Northern Germany. The British 6th Airborne Division and the US 17th Airborne Division were dropped by parachute and glider behind German lines near Wesel. Their primary objective was to secure a foothold and disrupt German defences. This image show one of the Hamilcar gliders that were used to transport smaller vehicles, which were loaded and unloaded through a hinged nose section.

From an album containing 222 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).