This Week in Army History: 22 – 28 March

unit_9
(National Archives)
24 March 1945

The U.S. 17th Airborne Division and British 6th Airborne Division launch Operation VARSITY, a daylight parachute and glider assault into landing zones east of the Rhine River, north and northwest of Wesel. The mission is to secure bridgeheads for other units to cross.