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A bit more information before the REPULSE resupply tweets come in.
The aerial resupply of the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne and elements of the 106th Inf Div at Marcouray would NOT have been possible without the round-the-clock hard work of the 490th Quartermaster /1
The aerial resupply of the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne and elements of the 106th Inf Div at Marcouray would NOT have been possible without the round-the-clock hard work of the 490th Quartermaster /1
Depot Company (QDC) who were based at RAF Greenham Common.
Due to the nature of the missions, air-landing supplies other than in Gliders was not an option, it had to be delivered from the air under canopy, and this meant packing all of the supplies into padded or wicker drop /2
Due to the nature of the missions, air-landing supplies other than in Gliders was not an option, it had to be delivered from the air under canopy, and this meant packing all of the supplies into padded or wicker drop /2
containers. This was no mean feat, as each aircraft was capable, and would be expected, to drop 10.
The 490th worked shifts with as little as 4 hours sleep in between to make sure the supplies were available.
The US Army adopted and deployed 8 different types of /3
The 490th worked shifts with as little as 4 hours sleep in between to make sure the supplies were available.
The US Army adopted and deployed 8 different types of /3
delivery container that carried different items depending on their size. The most common, those seen slung under the aircraft for a combat mission, were the Type A-5 Aerial Delivery Container, which consisted of a padded matt that was rolled up to contain the load, and two end /4
pieces to secure it. Finally, a parachute pack, typically type G-1, was attached to the end containing a parachute that was coloured to indicate the load (what colours meant what depended on the Division and often the Operation).. Apologies to Phillipe Capill for stealing his /5
photograph but this is one of the best I can find showing the container and what WAS (once) a red cargo parachute. Typically, Red meant Ammunition or Ordnance.
These sort of containers were used for deploying .30cal MG's, Bazookas, Mortars etc, but for the Bastogne resupply /6
These sort of containers were used for deploying .30cal MG's, Bazookas, Mortars etc, but for the Bastogne resupply /6
were often filled with cans of .30cal ammo, or crates containing small arms ammo of varying sorts. These are the sort of containers that might, depending on the load, make a bang if the Pacachute failed to open.
As for the aircraft, as many as possible were retrofitted with /7
As for the aircraft, as many as possible were retrofitted with /7
rails, as shown in this image.
They need no explanation really, the loads were heavy, had to be deployed quickly, and using the rails the Crew Chief could dump the load using his little finger if he wanted to. The Parachutes would be connected to the static line just like /8
They need no explanation really, the loads were heavy, had to be deployed quickly, and using the rails the Crew Chief could dump the load using his little finger if he wanted to. The Parachutes would be connected to the static line just like /8
Paratroopers would be.
These sort of pictures truly demonstrate the flexibility of the C-47.
Here, members of the 490th are shown demonstrating the deployment of the British Panier container which was often used for delivering Howitzer Ammunition. After which, especially /9
These sort of pictures truly demonstrate the flexibility of the C-47.
Here, members of the 490th are shown demonstrating the deployment of the British Panier container which was often used for delivering Howitzer Ammunition. After which, especially /9
around Bastogne, it would find itself on a fire somewhere.
This picture, taken in June showing an aerial resupply in Normandy, shows just how low the aircraft might be flying for a resupply mission. For Bastogne, serial heights varied from 300ft to 2,000ft. Actually, there /10
This picture, taken in June showing an aerial resupply in Normandy, shows just how low the aircraft might be flying for a resupply mission. For Bastogne, serial heights varied from 300ft to 2,000ft. Actually, there /10
was only one reason for this, and this was to hamper German AA crews who had to make height alterations between serials. As opposed to gradually getting higher, they would go up and down, 300ft - 2,000ft - 1,500ft - 500ft, all over a relatively short period of time.
This /11
This /11
was not as easy as it sounds, as it meant those flying higher had to release earlier (or later) to account for drift, depending on wind conditions.
At Bastogne, this appeared to work, as although the Germans managed to damage a great number of aircraft with small arms fire, /12
At Bastogne, this appeared to work, as although the Germans managed to damage a great number of aircraft with small arms fire, /12
not too many were fatally hit by flak and forced down, in the scheme of things.
