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80th ANNIVERSARY OPERATION VARSITY
23/24 MARCH 2025
On 24th March 1945, 60 gliders flown by the Glider Pilot Regiment, towed by 2 RAF Squadrons, carried elements of 6th Airborne Division to land
directly on top of the German defences. Nearly 80 from Rivenhall died within minutes of arriving; WW2 ended just 6 weeks later.
AIM – To remember and commemorate all of those that took part in the operation. This will be open to the public.
The History of RAF Rivenhall is vast & it would be nice to visualise this as much as possible on the day.
Current plans are:
Saturday 22nd March 2025 - NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The event area will be open for contributors to arrive and set-up if required. If you are a contributor and wish to attend, please contact [email protected]
Sunday 23rd March 2025
Contributors to be in place by 10:30 - If you are a contributor and wish to attend, please contact [email protected]
11:00 - Event opens to the GENERAL PUBLIC
The event is at the former RAF Rivenhall site (CO5 9DF) and can be accessed from Park Gate Road/Hollow Road. Large vehicles should approach from Rivenhall/Silver End direction as opposed to Kelvedon. There is NO direct access from the A120.
There will be plenty of public car parking next to the event area. Depending on numbers, there will also be overflow parking available which will be a 500 metre walk to the event. For those with specific access requirements please speak to one of the event staff on the day.
Timings may change slightly but plans are:
12:00 - Presentation on Operation VARSITY.
13:00 - Memorial unveiling, including band and march-past by local Air Cadets and Standard Bearers from Veteran Charities.
14:00 - WW2 Dakota low-level flying display
14:45 - Stories from Operation VARSITY
16:00 - Event closes
Food and drink will be available to buy throughout the day
Monday 24th March 2025
To coincide with the exact time the gliders and tugs took off from RAF Rivenhall on Operation VARSITY, a remembrance service will be held at the memorial site from 07:00. There are plans for a bugler and piper to be in attendance. This is expected to have finished by 09:30 so that those who want to attend the Marks Hall annual Op VARSITY event can travel in time.
Follow its story on Facebook @ RAF Rivenhall History
IF YOU ARE A RELEVANT WW2 RE-ENACTOR OR OWN A
WW2 MILITARY VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND AS A
CONTRIBUTOR, PLEASE CONTACT
[email protected]
OTHER HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTORS ARE ALSO WELCOME.
Overnight pitches & facilities will be provided
Location: Near Silver End, Witham CO5 9DF
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
RAF Rivenhall, Witham, United Kingdom
