George W Winder | ParaData

George William Winder served with the 10th (East Riding Yeomanry) Battalion of the Green Howards until 1943 when the 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion was formed from the unit.

Private Winder attended Parachute Training course No 69 at RAF Ringway between 21 June and 1 July 1943. His course report states that he ‘Worked hard and jumped well and confidently.’

Pte Winder served in Normandy on Opereation Overlord and the Ardennes, the Rhine Crossing and on the Advance to the Baltic.

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 Winder was demobbed in November 1946.

By Wendy George

1943
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

Ardennes

After the Allied landings in Normandy and subsequent advance through France and Belgium, the German Army had succeeded in stalling the Allied offensive along their line of defence at the German border - the ‘Siegfried Line’.

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

Normandy (Operation Overlord)

Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of occupied Europe commonly known as D-Day, saw the 6th Airborne Division for the first time.

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)

By late January 1945, the Germans' Ardennes offensive was finally defeated. It had been a costly episode for both sides, but more so for the Germans, who now had to retreat across the Rhine greatly weakened and "in no condition to hold fast even in these positions".

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Map showing positions of 12th Parachute Battalion in Normandy.

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Private George W Winder

15 Aug 1917 - 15 Jan 1998

Service History

Operations

Advance to the Baltic

Ardennes

Far East

Normandy (Operation Overlord)

Palestine

Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity)

Maps_1

Latest Comments

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The Airborne Shop

Private George W Winder

15 Aug 1917 - 15 Jan 1998

Service History

Operations

Advance to the Baltic

Ardennes

Far East

Normandy (Operation Overlord)

Palestine

Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity)

Maps_1

Latest Comments

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