Hi all, My name is Brendan, and my grandfather was a glider pilot in WW2. His name was William Jennings Bryan Sims Jr., and he was a member of the 434th TCG. When I was younger, I spoke with him a few times about his experiences in the war. I also recorded a video interview with him (as part of a Boyscout project), which I may post here later if it proves useful. In a week, my parents will be making a trip to France and are hoping to be able to visit some of the same locations he did. I've offered to help them find out about his role in the war. One specific thing they would like to know is where precisely he landed on D-Day. Through research on this site and others, I have determined that my grandfather flew in the Keokuk Mission on D-Day as Chalk #9. His designated landing zone was on the Western side of Hiesville. However, he stated to me in the past that he noticed that enemy forces were occupying the landing zone and made a 90-degree turn away from it. He stated that the other three gliders next to him (I assume Chalks 10, 11, and 12) did not make the turn and were all captured. Unfortunately, I cannot find a record of whether he said he turned right or left, making finding his landing zone difficult. This is all I know about his role on D-Day. I also know that at another point in the war, he and his comrades met with Gen. Patton, who promised them that if they would keep him supplied with gas, he would keep them supplied with champagne. According to my grandfather, both sides kept their promises. This represents the majority of my knowledge about my grandfather's experience in WW2. If anyone here could help me determine any additional details, I would greatly appreciate it.
Hi Senorbob, Welcome to the Forum and we would be delighted to help where possible. We have quite a few members interested in the American glider missions, so I am sure 6we can narrow the field in the quest to find your granfather's landing site. Any ideas guys? Thanks, Pat
Hi Brendan, I don't know exactly how far you have been involved in your own research, but I will point out a few quick things. One of our members has a website that has a document for the order for the gliders here: http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/aeropus/data/434tcg_04.pdf This indicates that chalk #9 flown by your grandfather William Jennings Bryan Sims Jr was part of the 71st Troop Carrier Squadron (TCS) which included chalk 9 thru 16. Another member has a website listing all the flight crews for operation Keokuk here: http://airbornetroopcarrier.com/normandykeokukmission2.html The top photo shows the Keokuk gliders lined up before takeoff and below is a list of crews for mission Keokuk. The Horsa glider directly behind your grandfather's (2nd echelon, chalk #13) was flown by F/O Steve P. Odahowski and F/O William Jew who were both captured. Most of the Keokuk gliders did land in their Landing Zone (LZ E) Which was north, west and south of Hiesville, so there is a good chance of your grandfather landing there. I don't know if you read many of the current Keokuk topics we have on the forum already, but I will point them out to you, or you can use our forum search. For starters try some of our forum topics on Keokuk below. http://normandy.whitebeamimages.ie/forum/showthread.php?tid=34&highlight=MSG+John+McCarthy%E2%80%99s+Road+to+Lecaudey+Farm http://normandy.whitebeamimages.ie/forum/showthread.php?tid=55&highlight=keokuk http://normandy.whitebeamimages.ie/forum/showthread.php?tid=159&highlight=keokuk You also should become familiar with the "Pond Field" and the "Edna Horsa" The Edna Horsa may be relevant because we discuss whether there is a faint Chalk 16 mark on the side of the Horsa named Edna. this could mean it was part of the 71st TCS with your grandfather, and they may have landed in the same vicinity. We will also try to set you up with some aerial photos of the area. As for what direction did your grandfather turn, gliders were always towed in echelon to the right and rear in groups of 4, they were instructed to always make left hand turns. This was likely to avoid gliding into another's glide path by turning right. John
Hi Brendan, Some leads are already given. I run the Airborne Troop Carrier webpage. I am also closest connected with the ww2 glider pilot Association. Suggest you reach out to them as well. Hans