Skip Navigation

Timeline Advance to the Baltic March 26th 1945 – May 2nd 1945

After Operation VARSITY the 6th British Airborne Division took part in a fighting advance across Northern Germany to Wismar east of Lubeck on the Baltic Coast, where they linked up with the Soviet Vanguard.

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.

They advanced past Osnabrück, Minden, Celle and crossed the Elbe. The 3rd Parachute Brigade reached Wismar on 2nd May, racing just ahead of the Russians. Many soldiers had completed the 350 miles on foot. The Russians were deterred from entering Lubeck. On the 8 May 1945 the war in Europe ended.

Three days before, the 1st Parachute Brigade landed at Copenhagen in Denmark to preserve law and order after outbreaks of fighting between Danish civilians and German troops. The last German garrison surrendered in Denmark on 16 May.

At the end of May the 6th Airborne Division returned to its bases at Wiltshire in England.

by Paradata Editor

The dash from the River Weser to the River Leine April 1945

Appendix from 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion War Diary recording the battle to capture Wunstorf airfield and the explosion at Neustadt bridge. Both incidents inflicted heavy casualties on B Company.

Find out more about The dash from the River Weser to the River Leine April 1945

Courtesy of Mark Hickman and the Pegasus Archive.

Clearing of Flak Gun positions on 27/28 March 1945 by 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion

An appendix to the 7th Battalion's War Diary recording the capture of over sixty German prisoners and eight dual purpose anti-aircraft/tank guns.

Find out more about Clearing of Flak Gun positions on 27/28 March 1945 by 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion

Courtesy of Mark Hickman and the Pegasus Archive