William G MacKenzie

William MacKenzie was enlisted into The Black Watch during World War II and volunteered for Airborne Forces.

He qualified as a military parachutist on Course B150 which ran at RAF Ringway from 24 January to 8 February 1945 and subsequently served with the 12th (Yorks) Parachute Battalion.

He deployed with the 12th Battalion on operations to Germany (Rhine Crossing and the Advance to the Baltic),the Far East and Palestine.

By ParaData Editor

1944
The Black Watch (Perth) (Private)
1945
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)

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".

Decorations

Latest Comments

David Woods said:

14775599 Private W. G. MacKenzie
Palestine
5th Parachute Battalion
08.08.46 to 07.01.47
GSM Palestine WO 100/533 page 672 (Ancestry.com)

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Private William G MacKenzie

Service History

Operations

Advance to the Baltic

Far East

Palestine

Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity)

Decorations

Latest Comments

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Private William G MacKenzie

Service History

Operations

Advance to the Baltic

Far East

Palestine

Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity)

Decorations

Latest Comments

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