TO celebrate the 70th anniversary of the largest airborne drop of all time, Danny Mason (88 years old from Ludlow) joined six other Second World War veterans in a trip to visit the drop zones of Operation Varsity (the crossing of the Rhine March 24, 1945) where 22,000 airborne troops from Britain, America and Canada dropped. From this foothold on German soil the final phase of the war on the Western front was bought to an end within two months. The paratroopers that landed fought their way through Germany to link up with the Russian forces who were pushing through from the East.

The trip was organised in conjunction with the Parachute Regiment who were represented by Lieutenant General John Lorimar, accompanied with several Lieutenant Colonels along with the Parachute Military Band and troops from the Regiment.

The party were welcomed and hosted by the Bergermiester from of Hamminken over the weekend, and treated to a celebratory lunch and wreath laying to commemorate the occasion.

The party also visited all the drop zones and attended two military cemeteries to pay their respects to fallen comrades who had not survived the ordeal. Danny Mason was selected to say a few words on behalf of the veterans summed up by "we shall remember".

Danny (still an active cyclist) now spends his spare time organising the Shropshire Highlands Challenge when 700 cyclists take a scenic and arduous 65 cycle ride around the county. This year held on June 14.