James C Hare | ParaData

James Charles Hare enlisted into the General Service Corps in September 1944 before being transferred to The Durham Light Infantry.

In early 1945 he volunteered for airborne forces and undertook parachute jump training on course 154 at RAF Ringway. The course ran from 2 February to 6 March 1945. His course report states: ‘Pte Hare. Very keen, cheerful, good performer.’

After initially being posted to the DSAF Holding Company, he was posted to The 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion.

In April 1945 Pte Hare took part in the Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity) and then the advance across Germany.

After the war in Europe ended the 12th Battalion accompanied 5th Parachute Brigade to the Far East between 1945-6. In 1946 it returned to Palestine to rejoin the 6th Airborne Division.

Pte Hare was demobbed in 1946.

By Wendy George and Craig Royal

Date not known
12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion (Private)

Operations

Event

Advance to the Baltic

The airborne soldiers were well suited to exploit the fluid situation that occurred following the collapse of the Rhine barrier defence. Short fierce actions were fought from the tanks of the 4th Tank Battalion of the Grenadier Guards and whatever transport could be purloined.

Event

Far East

The 5th Parachute Brigade was sent to the Far East in preparation for a potential invasion of Japan. However, only the advance elements of the Brigade had reached the Far East prior to the Japanese surrender.

Event

Palestine

Arab intransigence over the surge of Jewish immigration that followed the Holocaust in Europe led to the forming of extreme dissident Zionist groups such as IZL (Irgun Zwai Leumi) and the Stern Gang, all seeking to promote their aims through violence.

Event

Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity)

Operation Varsity was the largest single airborne operation in history. On a single day, over 16,000 men were inserted by glider and parachute into western Germany. Around 8000 of those came from the British 6th Airborne Division, flying aboard 243 C47 aircraft and 440 gliders.

Group photos_2

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D 5 stick from Parachute course 154 RAF Ringway, March 1945.

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Men of 12th Para Bn, Far East, c1945.

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Private James C Hare

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Service History