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WWII Glider Pilot Dies at 103
7 Jan
Summary
- Last glider pilot from the Battle of Arnhem has died at 103.
- Peter Colthup fought in Operation Market Garden in 1944.
- He advocated for war to be recognised as 'stupid and ghastly'.
Peter Colthup, the final glider pilot to have served in the pivotal Battle of Arnhem, has died at the age of 103. Colthup was a participant in the daring Operation Market Garden in September 1944, a critical World War II mission aimed at establishing an Allied route into Germany over the River Rhine.
Originally from London, Colthup enlisted at just 17, eventually joining the Glider Pilot Regiment. His wartime service extended beyond Arnhem, including deployments in North Africa and the invasion of Sicily. On his 100th birthday, he received the Dutch Liberation Medal and the Market Garden Medal for his contributions in the Netherlands.
Reflecting on his experiences, Colthup urged younger generations to understand the true nature of war, stating, "We were taught the soldiers are brave... they glorify war but they should not glorify war, they should say that war is stupid and ghastly." His passing marks the end of an era for a vital segment of World War II history.
