Into Action on Operation DOOMSDAY
The British 1st Airborne Division was decimated at Arnhem but was still called upon for two operations flown at the end of the war from South Kesteven – Operation DOOMSDAY and Operation ECLIPSE.
With around 350,000 German troops gathered in Norway anticipating an Allied invasion from Scotland, who could anticipate their reaction to the German capitulation in Europe?
Despite the chaos within the fluid situation of the German defeat, 1st Airborne Division prepared and launched the Norwegian mission within four days of receiving orders.
Under the command of Maj Gen Roy Urquhart, advance parties flew into Norway on 9 May 1945 as part of Operation DOOMSDAY, one day after Germany unconditionally surrendered its military forces to the Allies.
Around 6,000 troops of the British 1st Airborne Division were called upon to disarm the entire German force and preparation was not without its challenges. The Division's 1st Parachute Brigade had been despatched to Denmark as part of Operation ECLIPSE on 5th May, and the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade was on route to Germany for occupation duties. The Special Air Service Brigade (SAS), then in Germany, was attached to the Division to compensate.
The available Airborne troops flew from Barkston Heath, Saltby and Folkingham to Norway, assisting in the recovery of Allied prisoners of war, apprehending war criminals, and employing German troops to disarm their own minefields.
The 1st Airborne Division retained control of Norway until the arrival of HQ Allied Land Forces. In June 1945, it conducted the welcoming ceremony for the return of the King of Norway from exile.
For more about Operation DOOMSDAY, see here:
For more about Operation ECLIPSE, see here: