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The Last Drop: Operation Varsity, March 24-25, 1945 Hardcover – January 15, 2008

by Stephen L. Wright (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 63 ratings
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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.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Stackpole Books
  4. Publication date
    January 15, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    6.38 x 1.23 x 8.97 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    081170310X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0811703109
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen L. Wright is co-author of One Night in June (978-1-8403-7183-3).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Stackpole Books; First Edition (January 15, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 081170310X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0811703109
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.39 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.38 x 1.23 x 8.97 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 63 ratings

About the author

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Stephen L. Wright

Stephen L. Wright

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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. The book was updated and republished in 2014 as 'Operation Tonga: The Glider Assault 6th June 1944'.

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.

I have now turned to scriptwriting and you can find more information about this new venture on my webiste - www.stephenlwright.uk

Thanks for stopping by.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
63 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Retarmyaviator
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Choice
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2010
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Very much enjoyed this book and its coverage of an operation that has received little in the way of books about it. The detailed writings about the glider operations were most enjoyable to me. What made it even more enjoyable is that I had visited the area of the drops during a visit to Germany in 2007. I highly recommend this book to those interested in airborne operations and the battles of the closing days of WWII in Europe.
3 people found this helpful
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Karen R.K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2013
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This book was a wonderful description of Operation Varsity, a Battle in which my father-in-law fought and earned a bronze star and purple heart. Because he was never able to speak about his experience in this bloody operation, it is good to be able to read about it and understand what drove his behavior afterward.
4 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive Coverage of the last - and least needed WWII Airborne operation
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2013
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The author covers the operations in support of Montgomery's crossing of the Rhine River in late March 1944.

The operations overall were very sucessful - paratroops and glider troops were landed generally close to their projected LZ/DZ, they sucessfully captured their major objectives and relief by ground forces proceded in a timely manner.

The work, by necessity, covers much on the pre-operation phase: the attitudes and actions of troops preparing for the operation, the drafting of aircraft pilots to cover the lack of glider pilots, the planning of the operation, etc.

There is little coverage on the action post-drop, and for the good reason that the German forces were in collapse. There was a very thing crust still holding the east bank of the Rhine across from Montgomery. The German army however had already been punctured by the Patton's and Patch's armies to the south.

The ability of the depleted German forces to oppose the water-borne crossing of the Rhine was weak and these forces were able to force a crossing and establish an every expanding bridgehead rapidly.

What the author does not address is the question "should have this operation been conducted"?

Was Varsity a sucess? Yes. Was Varsity a needed operation that justified the operational losses as well as the losses of men and material to the anti-aircraft fire? That is much more difficult to say but note that these operations were basically over the second day. The ground forces pushed ahead without major opposition and German counter-attacks against the airborne forces had little of the power or tenacity seen in France or Holland. The men who participated, for the most part, were eager to take part in the most massive airborne operation of WWII. However from the vantage of almost 70 years later the lives lost were for scanty returns.
3 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Heros all
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2019
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Well written, thoroughly enjoyed the book. Also very informative. Learned a great deal about U.S. and U.K. joint ops.
2 people found this helpful
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Linda
5.0 out of 5 stars WWII History
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2018
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Nice historical account for the price. Glad I purchased it.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
s always, very pleased
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ron_barnes
4.0 out of 5 stars Varsity
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2013
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This is a quite detailed look at Operation Varsity, largely from a European perspective. Though it just covers two days, there is a great amount of information. The story is told by combining the recollections of those who were there. This book is a must for WW2 aficionados.
2 people found this helpful
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HAROLD FINGERHUT
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2014
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Riveting. Gained lots knowledge about fiascos.
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Top reviews from other countries

Dave Hillier
5.0 out of 5 stars A great insight into Operation Varsity.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
Nicely written using many personal recollections of those who took part. I bought this as additional research material into a family member who was kia during Operation Varsity. The sense of epic scale and chaos certainly comes across.
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Angela Davie
4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
Asked to do a lecture on Varsity
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Mr M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book and arrived early
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2021
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It was the account of Varsity op WWII
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linda perkinst
5.0 out of 5 stars A really great book. My father was in 6th airlanding brigade ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
A really great book. My father was in 6th airlanding brigade and took part in Operation Varsity flying in by glider - 2nd Ox & Bucks. He would have looked this book. I have read it and will keep it as a family history.
4 people found this helpful
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m murray
5.0 out of 5 stars First class read, my uncle took part as a ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2016
Verified Purchase
First class read,my uncle took part as a medical officer with 224 PFA,sadly not mentioned in the book,but well worth the money
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