New book solves the puzzle of wartime gliders

A DIAL Post secret was discovered during two years' research into the effects of the Second World War on the community.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Dec 2008, 15:16 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:30 BST

An elderly lady living in Dial Post had asked When The Whistle Blew authors Norman Berry, Dorothy Banks, Colin Rudling, Derek Saunders and Julie Beck if they knew why a large number of gliders had landed in the village on one occasion during the war.

West Grinstead Local History Group chairman Mr Berry said: "We discovered that 40 gliders had landed there. The land was similar to that in Normandy and officials later confirmed to us that the gliders had been rehearsing for the famous glider D-Day landings in France.

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"Subsequently, officials gave us permission to use an aerial photograph of the gliders on the ground in Dial Post and it is included in the book."

The book was launched in the village hall last Thursday, and the authors '“ along with many of the residents who provided the information '“ were there to celebrate the publication.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette December 10