I am fascinated in trying to match glider chalk markings to the Troop Carrier Groups. Some are easier than others due to photographs taken at their home base e.g. Greenham Common and Upottery. Serial 34 of Mission Galveston was flown by the 437th TCG where the most notable event was the crash of the Holdy Horsa. Signal Corps footage of the crash reveals it had a chalk marking of R5 on the side of the Horsa. The 'font' is quite distinctive and I think I've found a few others. The Horsas at the D14/D913 have a very similar style chalk marking. This unidentified Horsa sports the same style chalk marking. The 437th TCG war diaries states that the LZ for serial 34 was moved to 1 mile west of St. Marie du Mont due to intense ground fire at LZ W. So I'm thinking that these could well Serial 34 Horsas. What do you guys think? Neil.
Hi Neil, Can't see your images from my work PC, but I have often wondered if the large number of gliders on the Boutteville Marshes were natural spillage from a congested LZ W or were diverted there on the morning of the 7th. Are you sure of the R5 chalk marking on the Holdy crash glider? Its a while since I looked at it but I though the only identifying mark was the RAF serial number LJ 135? Regards, Pat
Neil, Apologies, I have a screenshot done already from the footage in 'DZ Normandy', which we used in the closed 'Green Room' thread: Regards, Pat
That's the one I used too as I'm also on a works machine but was using my mobile phone to post my message.
Neil, The photos in the 'Confirmed Mission 'Hackensack' Photos' thread may help isolate Serial 34 / 437th TCG 'fonts'. Regards, Pat
Or 'Letter - one digit number' ! And it's the same for gliders of the 441st, also during Hackensack mission