The task of capturing the bridge itself "Ponte Grande" had been assigned to 'C' Company of the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, commanded by 26-year-old Major Edwin George Ballinger. Although all four gliders assigned to the company reached land, two of them came down too far away to participate in the battle. Glider No.132, carrying Ballinger, No.17 Platoon, and a small detachment of sappers from the 9th Field Company, Royal Engineers, was being piloted by Captain John Neil Campbell Denholm. The 28-year-old, a keen sportsman and accomplished skier, had joined the army in 1937, originally as a member of the 1st Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), but was later seconded to the Glider Pilot Regiment. As his glider came in to land, it was hit by a burst of machine gun fire. Suddenly, there was a bright flash of an explosion and the flaming glider fell to the ground by the canal bank. Only three badly wounded men survived the crash, with Denholm and Ballinger among those killed.
Sebastiano Giannitto, 2025-12-15
Captain John Neil Campbell Denholm, 1st Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) seconded to the Glider Pilot Regiment. Born on 22 January 1915. Son of John and Gertrude Denholm.
John was killed in action on 10 July 1943 when his glider crashed near the Ponte Grande bridge while taking part in Operation Ladbroke. Operation Ladbroke started at 9 July 1943 and their objective was to capture the vital Ponte Grande bridge so the infantry which landed on the beaches south of Siracusa could advance towards the city.
John was the first pilot of Horsa glider with chalk number 132. His co-pilot was Sergeant Ron Knott and they were towed by a Halifax from No. 295 Squadron RAF flown by Flight Officer Berwick.
Glider 132 carried Sappers of No. 17 platoon, C-Company, South Staffordshire Regiment with Major Edwin George Ballinger who lead the coup de main raid on Ponte Grande. When glider 132 almost landed it was hit by well concentrated machine gun and tracer fire which ripped the fuselage. After landing at about 300 yards from Ponte Grande the fuselage was on fire and exploded most likely caused by ignited ordnance inside the glider.
Troops already on the ground tried to rescue the men inside 132, but only three men were rescued who were badly burned. Exploding phosphorous bombs and Bangalore torpedoes ensured that help to others of glider 132 were beyond aid.
John and his co-pilot Ron Knott were buried at Syracuse War Cemetery.
Edwin Ballinger is also buried together with other men of the 2nd Battalion South Staffordshires on Syracuse War Cemetery.
John was married to Sheila Mary Spears-Alexander of Kensington, London. He joined the Army in 1937 and was in India when the war broke out.
Source: Glider Pilots in Sicily by Mike Peters.
Jimbo Jimmy, 2026-01-13
