T H E C O V E N A N T E R
and unloading Dakotas in his Battalion’s smoke from heavy anti-aircraft fire could be
airportable role, he had no experience in seen ahead, directly in the line of flight.
similar methods for gliders. Securing inert There was no option but to fly directly
cargo in a glider required particular care through it. The glider’s crew once more gave
as the impact of a glider landing was likely an accomplished performance; Scott was
to be much more severe than by engine fortunate to enjoy as smooth a touch down
powered aircraft. An insecure load could as could be expected in the circumstances,
break free on landing and hurtle forward, although from the state of some of the
causing death or severe injury to the pilots adjacent gliders, it was apparent that others
or any occupant unfortunate enough to be had not been so lucky. As a result of the
in its path. He still had been given no written previous day’s landings, the enemy was
orders. His principal instruction came when thoroughly alerted for the possible arrival of
he attended the Divisional briefing for the a second landing. The glider came under fire
‘Market Garden’ Operation given by the as it touched down among the abandoned
Divisional Commander, Major General first wave gliders and those already landed
R.E.Urquhart at Moor Park Golf Club. His and landing as part of the second wave -there
role was made clear, the details sparse: to act was no time to be lost in vacating the area.
as Liaison Officer between the two Divisions Unloading a Horsa glider was a cumbersome
as soon as 52nd began to land at Deelen business, particularly when under fire. The
airport. What was to be the precise nature first step was to remove completely the
of those duties, Scott never discovered. Horsa’s tail. It was only with difficulty this
The airborne drop at Arnhem was to take was accomplished. Scott recalled that the
place over two days, for logistic reasons. As urgency increased as small arms fire began
a member of Divisional H.Q., Scott’s glider to sweep the landing zone. The longer this
was scheduled to be towed in on the first took, the greater was the risk to glider’s
day by a Stirling bomber - the machine in occupants. Only then could the cargo be
question named ‘Lady Of The Night’ by its unloaded, the jeep and Scott’s motorcycle
crew. It had a graphic painting of her on the released from its moorings and made ready.
fuselage, resplendent in a ball gown. His first The jeep was the first to be unloaded. Before
experieilce of glider-borne flight proved to take off, Scott’s kit had already been stowed
be traumatic. He describes the sensation of in the jeep together with other items of
being towed to gain airspeed as being similar equipment. He ordered the driver to take
to travelling in a rather bumpy underground the jeep to nearby cover. However, the driver
train. The glider becomes airborne before the lost no time in clearing the drop zone and
towing aircraft. Scott, taken by the novelty of heading straight for Arnhem. As the jeep
it all, took up position immediately behind disappeared, so did Scott’s kit - it was never
the pilot. For the first few miles all went well seen again!
as the Sterling and its charge manoeuvred The area now was the scene of hectic activity.
to take up position in the air armada. The 7th K.O.S.B of the Air Landing Brigade had
relative calm of the engineless aircraft was been tasked with holding the Drop Zone,
summarily shattered by a flow of expletives and having now fulfilled its function,
from the first glider pilot - the tow rope to seemed to have begun to withdraw from
the Sterling had broken free, leaving him the open fields to other duties. A mixture
with the prospect of an emergency landing. of paratroops and glider -home soldiers now
Fortunately, sufficient height had been joined them. Orderly but mixed columns
gained to allow the pilot to execute an had formed, all of them heading through the
accomplished landing in an Oxfordshire woods or by road in the direction Arnhem.
field. By evening, a relieved Scott was back at Scott joined in. Near the drop zone, it was
his point of departure, enjoying an evening necessary to cross the open track bed of a
meal. He was not greatly reassured by the two-track railway - extremely difficult task
apologies of the Tug Pilot of the Sterling, for an erstwhile motorcyclist. Riding his
who promised to ‘Get you there the next trusty Norton, there was little dsturbance
day?’ as he found the road leading towards the
After the experience of his maiden flight, Hartenstein Hotel, at Oosterbeek - the
it is understandable that Scott had some designated H.Q. of lst Airborn Division.
misgiving, but the pilot was as good as his On arrival without incident, he described
word - the flight into the Arnhem drop zone the atmosphere in the precincts of the
was accomplished without incident until hotel, as reasonably quiet, and at that time
the approach to the battlefield. Puffs of undisturbed by enemy fire save for the
0
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