Douglas E Jilks | ParaData

Douglas Edward Jilks volunteered for parachute duties with airborne forces while serving with the Royal Artillery during World War II.

He undertook his training on course 139 from 28 October-9 November 1944 at RAF Ringway. The course report states: “Gnr Jilks has made satisfactory progress, very quiet but confident”.

After qualifying he joined No 2 (Airborne) Forward Observation Unit (FOU) RA and took part in the subsequent campaigns in North West Europe in 1945.

By Wendy George

Date not known
2 Forward (Airborne) Observation Unit, RA (Bombardier)

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

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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Bombardier Douglas E Jilks

Service History

Operations

Advance to the Baltic

Ardennes

Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity)

Latest Comments

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Bombardier Douglas E Jilks

Service History

Operations

Advance to the Baltic

Ardennes

Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity)

Latest Comments

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