The Operation VARSITY composite report is an overview of the glider pilots reports. As the reports work up the chain of command, more personal details are eliminated and more of a birds eye view of the mission is discussed. While each glider pilot tells his own experience, when combined with the Squadron, Group or Wing reports we can see the overall challenges and successes of a mission. The report is paraphrased below.
The 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron had gliders that landed on one LZ “N” and one DZ “X” south of “N”. They also landed “at 2 between these two general areas”. Although glider pilots had complaints in previous missions about the tow pilots getting them to and releasing them over the designated spot. This will not be the case in in Varsity.
Landing Zone “N” had a designated area for 314th TCG gliders to land. This was because of the assignment of gliders hauling equipment that was used together to land near each other. Landing within a TCG designated area would make perfect sense for this. However because of automatic and small arms fire and the designated area “already being clogged with a great many gliders on the ground” some of the gliders were forced to land on DZ “X”. The glider pilots chose this DZ to give the greatest chance for their cargo to be delivered intact and in close proximity to the 17th A/B troops.
