Sale Price:
£335.00
Original Price:
£450.00
1944 D-Day American Glider Fuselage Framework – Operation Chicago
Original American glider fuselage framework from Operation Chicago, the glider-borne reinforcement mission carried out by the 101st Airborne Division in the early hours of 6 June 1944.
Recovered near the landing zone adjacent to Hiesville, this piece remained in a private collection until June 2023.
A large and striking wooden and metal structure, it retains extensive original paint and is preserved in exceptional condition—an outstanding, museum-grade artefact.
Historical Significance
Operation Chicago (“Mission Chicago”) was the second of three operations conducted by the 101st Airborne Division during the Normandy invasion, following Operation Albany. Its objective was to reinforce paratroopers already behind enemy lines with critical personnel and equipment, significantly enhancing their firepower and mobility.
Gliders delivered artillery, light vehicles, radio equipment, machine guns, ammunition, and explosives.
The main unit transported was the 81st Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion, deploying 44 Waco gliders with two full batteries (A and B). A further eight gliders carried elements of the 101st Signal Company, 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion, a surgical team from the 326th Airborne Medical Company, and the anti-tank section of the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment.
In total, the Waco gliders transported 155 personnel, 25 light vehicles, 16 anti-tank guns (57mm), approximately 11 tonnes of equipment (including an SCR-499 radio), and 2.5 tonnes of ammunition.
Landing Zone “E” – Hiesville
Landing Zone “E” was located on the northwestern outskirts of Hiesville, alongside Drop Zone “C” (assigned to elements of the 506th and 501st Parachute Infantry Regiments). The zone formed a triangular area approximately 1 km long and 1.5 km wide, centrally positioned within the division’s area of operations for rapid reinforcement.
Unlike the more open British landing zones near Caen, this area was highly compartmentalised, with orchards and fields enclosed by dense Norman hedgerows and tree lines reaching up to 15 metres. Despite these obstacles, fields here were generally larger than elsewhere on the Cotentin Peninsula.
Come with laminated information card.
1944 D-Day American Glider Fuselage Framework – Operation Chicago
Original American glider fuselage framework from Operation Chicago, the glider-borne reinforcement mission carried out by the 101st Airborne Division in the early hours of 6 June 1944.
Recovered near the landing zone adjacent to Hiesville, this piece remained in a private collection until June 2023.
A large and striking wooden and metal structure, it retains extensive original paint and is preserved in exceptional condition—an outstanding, museum-grade artefact.
Historical Significance
Operation Chicago (“Mission Chicago”) was the second of three operations conducted by the 101st Airborne Division during the Normandy invasion, following Operation Albany. Its objective was to reinforce paratroopers already behind enemy lines with critical personnel and equipment, significantly enhancing their firepower and mobility.
Gliders delivered artillery, light vehicles, radio equipment, machine guns, ammunition, and explosives.
The main unit transported was the 81st Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion, deploying 44 Waco gliders with two full batteries (A and B). A further eight gliders carried elements of the 101st Signal Company, 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion, a surgical team from the 326th Airborne Medical Company, and the anti-tank section of the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment.
In total, the Waco gliders transported 155 personnel, 25 light vehicles, 16 anti-tank guns (57mm), approximately 11 tonnes of equipment (including an SCR-499 radio), and 2.5 tonnes of ammunition.
Landing Zone “E” – Hiesville
Landing Zone “E” was located on the northwestern outskirts of Hiesville, alongside Drop Zone “C” (assigned to elements of the 506th and 501st Parachute Infantry Regiments). The zone formed a triangular area approximately 1 km long and 1.5 km wide, centrally positioned within the division’s area of operations for rapid reinforcement.
Unlike the more open British landing zones near Caen, this area was highly compartmentalised, with orchards and fields enclosed by dense Norman hedgerows and tree lines reaching up to 15 metres. Despite these obstacles, fields here were generally larger than elsewhere on the Cotentin Peninsula.
Come with laminated information card.
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