6th Airborne Division

Colonel John Waddy: Preparations for D-Day Spring 1944

Colonel John Waddy: Palestine with the 6th Airborne Division 1945

Colonel John Waddy: Counter-Insurgency Operations in Palestine 1946-8

Major-General Deane-Drummond describes his escape from Arnhem

Image

Enlarge Details

Map of 6th Airborne Division Plan in Caen

1 Image

Image

Enlarge Details

Map of Palestine (1: 250,000)

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Map of Convoy Routes in Palestine (Ratio 1: 500,000)

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

General Gale's Horsa glider in Normandy at landing zone W.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Many parachutes and a a Horsa glider landing north-east of Caen.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Anti-glider posts in Caen.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Operation Rob Roy, the re-supply operation on 7th June on drop zone N.

1 Image

Image

Enlarge Details

Group photo of those who won medals at Normandy with Montgomery. 1/9/1944.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Commandos of 1st Special Service Brigade with captured Germans

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Airborne troops talk to French civilians between Ranville and Amfreville.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Airborne troops help put out a tank fire.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

British troops engaged with enemy troops in fight for Caen bridges.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Four paratroopers stand with a burned out Hotchkiss tank chassis.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Gliders cross the Channel above ships of the Royal Navy.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Members of 6th Airborne Division outside Breville church.

1 Image Buy Prints

Message reminding military staff not to discuss operations with outsiders.

Letter from Maj-Gen Gale to Lt-Gen Browning about parachute training support troops.

Points raised at Overlord planning meeting including battle dress and leave.

Minutes of conference planning Operation Overlord.

Gale's take on conduct of battle including tactics, care of men and equipment.

Image

Enlarge Details

Gliders on landing zone near Ranville.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Gale addresses men of 6th Airborne Division.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Airborne soldiers load a Horsa glider.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Map of 6th Airborne Division on D-Day.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial photo showing Ranville and landing zone N.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Secret D-Day briefing photo for RAF aircrews for Ops Tonga and Mallard.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Airborne troops load bikes into a glider for Normandy landing.

2 Images Buy Prints

6th Airborne Division admin plan for Operation Overlord, part 1.

6th Airborne Division admin plan for Operation Overlord, part 2.

Image

Enlarge Details

Ariel view of parachutes on drop zone at dawn on D-Day.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial view of drop zone N covered with gliders.

1 Image Buy Prints

6 Airborne Division operation instructions no. 1, part 1.

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial photo showing gliders on landing zone N.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Map showing HQ 3 Parachute Brigade and 8th Parachute Battalion.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Map showing 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Map showing general area of operations from June 5th-August 16th 1944.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Map showing positions of 12th Parachute Battalion in Normandy.

1 Image Buy Prints

Operation instruction about chemical warfare in Operation Overlord.

List of requirements for SAS troops.

Instructions about the holding of rum by units.

Report on operations of 6 Airborne Division on D-Day and day after.

Napier Crookenden's memories of D-Day.

Appreciation of the situation by Brigadier Kindersley.

Special instructions for Major J Drummond.

Special instructions for Major M Derrell-Brown.

Kindersley's rousing final instructions before Operation Overlord.

6th Airborne Divison prepares for Normandy

6th Airborne Division in Normandy (resupply and other scenes).

6th Airborne Division Report on Operation Overlord, part 1.

6th Airborne Division Report on Operation Overlord, part 2.

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial photos of Merville Battery.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial photos of Merville Battery.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial photos of Merville Battery.

1 Image Buy Prints

Role of conscientious objectors with the RAMC in the assault on Normandy.

Record of 224 Parachute Field Ambulance, 5-14 June 1944.

3rd Parachute Brigade's story and personal experience of D-Day.

Instructions issued to 3 Parachute Brigade commander from Maj-Gen Gale.

Personal accounts of Normandy operations by 5 Parachute Brigade.

Appreciation of an attack on a Battery.

Appreciation of situation and 3 Parachute Bde operation orders by James Hill.

Report on Operation Tonga.

Main ops from Tarrant Rushton airfield in 1944/1945.

Image

Enlarge Details

Photos shows Pegasus Bridge, German anti-tank gun and Gondree cafe.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial photo showing assault party gliders.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Group photo of HQ 6 Airborne Division Royal Engineers prior to Normandy.

2 Images Buy Prints

Report on 6 AB Div engineers on D-Day.

War diary for 6 AB Division medics on D-Day and aftermath.

Pre D-Day inspection by 6th Airborne Division Commander Maj-General Gale

Pre exercise speech by Maj-General Gale to 6th Airborne Division

Pre Normandy Training: Typical briefing using sand table model

Lt-Col Ken Mead decribes the preparations for D-Day

Tony Leake describes hearing the amphibious assault on D-Day

Eric Richard describes the training for D-Day and inter-divisional rivalry

Dennis Edwards describes his fear prior to emplaning for D-Day

Dennis Edwards describes fighting German tanks

Dennis Edwards describes the relief at the last moment when sea-borne reinforments arrive

Lt-Col Ken Mead decribes the glider take-off for D-Day

Parachute insertion into Pre D-Day exercise including drop.

Troops advance under live fire of 3-inch mortar during pre D-Day exercise

Extraction of troops under tough conditions during training

6th Airborne Division at Pegasus Bridge

Troubled operations in Palestine

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial view of Ardennes battle sector.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

British troops move north from Echt and a crocodile flame-thrower in action.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Field Marshal Montgomery visits 6th Airborne Division in the Ardennes.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Recce patrol of B Coy, 9th Parachute Battalion near Maiche.

Enlarge Details

Recce patrol of B Coy, 9th Parachute Battalion near Marche-en- Famenne, 1945.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

A patrol comes under enemy mortar fire.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Members of 6th Airborne Division don white camo suits before patrolling.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Lance Corporal Newton searching for enemy mines in the snow.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Only survivor of the Bande atrocity talks to Sgt Lawrie of 6th AB Division.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

British Paras lift coffins of civilians executed in the Bande atrocity.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Final check of maps before assault across the Rhine.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial photo showing aircraft dropping parachutes carrying containers before men drop.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial photos showing Dakota with right engine on fire.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Montgomery and his Russian conterpart Rokossovsky in Wismar, May 1945.

Enlarge Details

Montgomery and his Russian counterpart Rokossovsky in Wismar, May 1945.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

A Horsa glider is unloaded on the landing zone of the Rhine Crossing operation.

1 Image

Image

Enlarge Details

Halifaxes tow Horsa gliders over the French coast.

1 Image

Image

Enlarge Details

British Airborne troops with a Russian telegraphist near Wismar.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Gliders on the ground after airborne landing in the area of Hamminkeln.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial photo of Rhine battle area taken on April 18th, 1945.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial photo of Issel Bridge, objective of 6 Airlanding Brigade in Rhine Crossing.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Gliders on the ground after the British airborne landing in Rhine battle area.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Gliders on the ground after the British airborne landing in the Rhine battle area.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Aerial photo of the River Rhine and surrounding land.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Large scale Rhine reheasal. Dakotas fly over drop zone dropping troops and supplies.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Glider pilots with German prisoners near Hamminkeln railway station, March 1945.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

A British para takes the details of one of the first Germans taken prisoner in the Rhine operations.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Group photo of J section Signals, 3rd Parachute Brigade in Wismar May 1945.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Royal Ulster Rifles (6th Airborne) on the banks of the river Issel.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Two British airborne men by the sign for Hamminkeln the day the took the town.

Enlarge Details

Two British airborne men by the sign for Hamminkeln the day they took the town.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Soldier receiving treatment in an airborne dressing station. March 25th, 1945.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

German POW receives treatment at an airborne dressing station in a German village.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

A British paratrooper looks out of the window as his Dakota approaches Germany.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Paratrooper looks contemplative in a Dakota aircraft en route to the Rhine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Group photo of Montgomery, Maj-Gen Bols and members of the division. January1945.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Montgomery talks to Maj-Gen Bols, Brig Flavell, Brig Hill and Brig Poett. January 1945.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Radio operators at 6th Airborne Divisional headquarters.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Troops go into action after their gliders have landed during operation in the Rhine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

A burned-out Horsa glider near Hamminkeln during the Rhine crossing.

1 Image

Image

Enlarge Details

Under a parachute draped over telephone wires, a paratrooper carries a wounded man to aid.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Inside of camoflaged chemical factory near Melbeck, Germany. April 1945.

Enlarge Details

Inside of camouflaged chemical factory near Melbeck, Germany. April 1945.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Paratroopers commandeer civilian transport for push from Rhine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Airborne signaller at his post under a camoflaged parachute.

Enlarge Details

Airborne signaller at his post under a camouflaged parachute.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Airborne troops prepare to make a dash into the burning village of Hamminkeln. March 1945.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Brigadier James Hill, commander of 3rd Parachute Brigade during the Rhine Crossing.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Hamminkeln railway station on D-day plus one. March 25th 1945.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

5th Parachute Brigade listen to Field Marshal Montgomery at HQ near Osnabruck, 1945.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Gliders try to land through smoke of a German barn while under enemy fire.

1 Image Buy Prints

6th Airborne Division Operation Order for Rhine Crossing.

Narrative of Operation Varsity.

Report on the Rhine Crossing from the New York Herald Tribune.

Image

Enlarge Details

Map showing 6th Airborne Divisions route from the Rhine to the Baltic.

1 Image Buy Prints

5 Parachute Brigade Operations during Rhine Crossing.

6th Airborne Division intelligence summary for Operation Varsity.

Synopsis of Operation Eclipse by Major Tony Hibbert.

Image

Enlarge Details

Blown up oil tanks north of Haifa 1947.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Glider lands at airstrip near Tel Aviv, 1946.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Member of 3rd Parachute Battalion takes illegal immigrant back on board ship at Haifa docks, 1947.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

View of Haifa taken from 6th Airborne Division Signals HQ.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Pestell's wings presentation at Ramat David parachute school, Palestine 1947.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Two paratroopers on security operations in Palestine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Air car contact unit in Palestine, 1947.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Three members of B Coy, 3 PARA with Halifax. Palestine, 1946.

Enlarge Details

Three members of B Coy, 3rd Parachute Battalion with Halifax. Palestine, 1946.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Members of B Coy, 3 PARA. Sarafand, Palestine, November 1945.

Enlarge Details

Members of B Coy, 3rd Parachute Battalion. Sarafand, Palestine, November 1945.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Airborne soldiers help get immigrants ashore from illegal ship.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Immigrant ship with plea from Jews to remain in Palestine.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

HQ 3rd Parachute Brigade, Nazareth, Palestine.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Paratrooper faces camera with barbed wire and civilians in the background. Palestine 1948.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Armoured cars of 6th AB Div await orders to begin patrols in Tel Aviv.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Attempt to blow Lake Huleh/Lake Tiberius bridge, Palestine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Remains of car that blew up as police car was passing.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Airborne soldiers take a rest while driving in Palestine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Group photo of men from 6th Airborne Division in Palestine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Maj-Gen Bols, Officer Commanding 6th Airborne Division with staff in Palestine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Group photo of 3 PARA outside billets in Palestine.

Enlarge Details

Group photo of 3rd Parachute Battalion outside billets in Palestine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Four members of S Company, 3 PARA have a moment's rest in Haifa, 1947.

Enlarge Details

Four members of S Company, 3rd Parachute Battalion have a moment's rest in Haifa, 1947.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Group photo of HQ Company, 1st Royal Ulster Rifles, 1944

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Group shot of B Company, 8 PARA ouside billets in Palestine.

Enlarge Details

Group shot of B Company, 8th Parachute Battalion outside billets in Palestine.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Sgt Bill Williams from 3 PARA at a road block north of Haifa.

Enlarge Details

Sgt Bill Williams from 3rd Parachute Battalion at a road block north of Haifa.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Captain Bill Wilson, adjutant 3 PARA on refresher course Aquin, 1947.

Enlarge Details

Captain Bill Wilson, adjutant 3rd Parachute Battalion on refresher course Aquin, 1947.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

A corporal brings a German light machine gun from the inside of a chicken hut, Palestine 1947.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

General Crocker talks to airborne soldiers in Palestine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

General Crocker talks to a Paratrooper in Palestine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Paratroopers guard a huge arms cache found in a school basement in Tel Aviv.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

One paratrooper and two RAMC soldiers pose for the camera in Palestine, 1946.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Group shot of 10 Platoon, T Company, 1 PARA in Palestine 1945.

Enlarge Details

Group shot of 10 Platoon, T Company, 1st Parachute Battalion in Palestine 1945.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Two paratroopers remove a box of mortar bombs from a huge arms cache found in Tel Aviv.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Five paratroopers have a tea break on a cobbled street in Palestine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Three men of 3 PARA on King's Way, Haifa.

Enlarge Details

Three men of 3rd Parachute Battalion on King's Way, Haifa.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Airborne soldiers raise their drinks to the camera on Christmas Day in Palestine, 1946.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Four airborne soldiers enjoy a drink in the platoon canteen. Palestine 1946.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Nine members of 8 PARA get ready for cufew patrol in a camp outside Haifa. 1946/47.

Enlarge Details

Nine members of 8th Parachute Battalion get ready for cufew patrol in a camp outside Haifa. 1946/47.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Officers and men on a battalion training exercise in Palestine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Men being briefed for an exercise in Palestine, 1947.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Soldier of 33rd Airborne Light Regiment, RA. Palestine, 1946.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Airborne soldier reads IZL pamphlet found in waste ground in Haifa, 1948.

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Halifax aircraft turns to the DZ over Palestine, 1946.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Shot of paratroopers just before emplaning at RAF Aquir, Palestine 1946.

Enlarge Details

Shot of paratroopers just before emplaning at RAF Aqir, Palestine 1946.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Shot of 1st Parachute Brigade Signallers before emplaning at RAF Aquir, 1946.

Enlarge Details

Shot of 1st Parachute Brigade Signallers before emplaning at RAF Aqir, 1946.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

GOC 6th Airborne Division ground training in Palestine.

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Soldier practises simulated parachute landing at Ramat David parachute school, Palestine 1947.

1 Image Buy Prints

Post operation report on Operation Shark, part of operations in Palestine.

Curfew order for operations in Palestine.

Preliminary report on Operation Shark, part of operations in Palestine.

Report on arms caches found at Mesheq Yagur colony including diagrams.

Diary of events on operations in Palestine from May 1st-July 1st 1948.

Image

Enlarge Details

Guide map of Jerusalem.

1 Image Buy Prints

Information on British troops remaining in Palestine after Mandate terminates.

Report on Operation Agatha in Palestine, June 29th-July 1st 1946.

Defiant leaflet from a Jew of Tel-Aviv to men of 6th Airborne Division.

IZL leaflet from Tel-Aviv. December 1946.

Three contemporary news cuttings reporting operations in Palestine.

Facts about Palestine and map for British troops.

Propaganda leaflet from Jews in Palestine to British troops.

David Robinson discusses the organization of the PIAT anti-tank platoon, 1943-4

David Robinson discusses the preparation for D-Day, 6th June 1944

David Robinson discusses defending the Ranville drop zones after D-Day

David Robinson discusses the fighting for Hill 13, Putot-en-Auge, 20th Aug. 1944

D Robinson discusses fighting around Pont L’Eveque, 21st Aug. 1944

David Robinson discusses heavy casualties during the Normandy campaign

David Robinson discusses his experiences in the Ardennes, 1944-5

David Robinson discusses an attack on Bure, January 1945

David Robinson discusses experiences of street fighting in Bure, 1945

David Robinson discusses his experience of street fighting in Bure, 1945 (Continued)

David Robinson discusses jumping with 13th Parachute Battalion under fire

David Robinson discusses the 6th Airborne Division's advance to the Baltic

David Robinson discusses the link-up with the Russians at Wismar, May 1945

Image

Enlarge Details

Parachute Course - RAF Aqir

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Monty with Commanders from 6th Airborne Division

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Equipment for PPN1-1A Eureka Beacon

1 Image

The Sixth Airborne Division (a poem)

Image

Enlarge Details

Members of a Royal Artillery unit of 6th Airborne Division, Palestine

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Pte Kimber outside Lathburys caravan, circa 1946

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

General Montgomery talks to Gen Gale and Brigadier Poett, 1944.

1 Image

6th Airborne Anniversary Service programme, Salisbury Cathedral, c1944.

Image

Enlarge Details

74 Field Hygiene Section, RAMC, 6 AB Div, Palestine, February 1946.

1 Image Buy Prints

5 Parachute Brigade HQ Orders. June 1944.

Message of congratulations from GOC to those involved in Op Shark, dated August 3rd 1946.

Mortar platoon diary for Operation Shark, commencing July 30th 1946.

Report on successful German firing methods in battle.

Text of German and Polish propaganda addresses.

Image

P+

Details

6th Airborne Division Summary of Information No. 1. Feb - May 1944.

72 Images

Image

P+

Details

6th Airborne Division store requirements for Op Overlord.

121 Images

Image

P+

Details

Appreciation of Signals for 6th Airborne Division. Op Overlord.

15 Images

Image

P+

Details

Op Overlord Air & Military Operations Orders

16 Images

Image

P+

Details

6th Airborne Division Stores Bids. Op Overlord.

80 Images

Image

P+

Details

Op Overlord 6th Airborne Medical Operation Instructions

29 Images

Image

P+

Details

Account of Operations 6th Airlanding Brigade. Op Overlord.

24 Images

Image

Enlarge Details

RAF Ringway 28 August 1945

1 Image

Image

Enlarge Details

Maj Gen Bols with family who owned farm used as 6th AB HQ 24-25 March 1945

1 Image

Image

Enlarge Details

Bols And Ridgeway in Wiesmar March 1945

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Bols and Student at the 25th Anniversary of the Rhine Crossing

2 Images Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Bols, Hill, Dempsey and Monty in Windak Smocks

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Details

Pine Coffin, Darling, Bols, Luard, and Crawshaw (in kilt), Wismar

1 Image Buy Prints

Image

Enlarge Enlarge Enlarge Enlarge Enlarge Enlarge Enlarge Enlarge Enlarge Enlarge Enlarge Enlarge Details

First In Last Out exhibition 20 May 2022

12 Images Buy Prints

First In, Last Out Promotional Film