Jim Wallwork

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jim Wallwork DFM

Years of service	6
Rank	Staff Sergeant
Unit	Glider Pilot Regiment
Battles/wars	Sicily Landings Normandy Landings Arnhem Rhine Crossings
Awards	DFM
Other work	Farmer

Staff Sergeant Jim Wallwork DFM was a member of the Glider Pilot Regiment who achieved fame as the pilot of the first Horsa glider to land at Pegasus Bridge in the early hours of 6 June 1944. This remarkable achievement was described as "the greatest feat of flying of the second world war" by Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory.^[1] Although most famous for his part in the Battle of Normandy, Jim Wallwork, flew gliders in every major British airborne operation of the second world war. These also included the Sicily Landings, Arnhem and the Rhine Crossings. He now lives in Vancouver.

1 Early life
2 Pegasus Bridge
3 Post War
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Early life

He was born in Manchester, son of an artilleryman who had served during the First World War. When Jim volunteered for the British Army in March 1939 his father advised him against joining the infantry. This advice was ignored although it was subsequently regretted and, despite being promoted to Sergeant, he tried to join the Royal Air Force. This was blocked by his Commanding Officer although in 1942 he was accepted for training in the newly formed Glider Pilot Regiment. By May 1942 he was at flight training school.

[edit] Pegasus Bridge

The Horsa glider that he flew was nicknamed Lady Irene by Wally Parr and landed in occupied France shortly after midnight. The force of the impact catapulted both Wallwork and his co-pilot John Ainsworth through the front of the cockpit. Although unconscious this made them the first Allied troops to touch French soil on D-Day.