During World War II, a unique and daring group of military pilots flew missions that put them directly in harm's way, often without any means to defend themselves. These were the Troop Carrier glider pilots, men tasked with flying unarmed, engine-less aircraft called gliders into battle zones filled with enemy fire. Their planes were so dangerous and vulnerable that they often called themselves "Suicide Jockeys."
In Austin, Bergstrom Air Force Base, originally known as Del Valle Army Airfield, played a critical role in training these pilots. The base helped prepare them for the dangers ahead, transitioning them to their overseas roles. Many would go on to fly some of the most important missions of the war. This story of courage, sacrifice and military history is rooted in our local soil.
The beginnings of Del Valle Army Airfield
Austin’s connection to the glider pilots started with the construction of Del Valle Army Airfield during World War II. In 1942, the U.S. military needed a new training facility and turned to the City of Austin, leasing the land to build an airfield for the military. The Troop Carrier pilots stationed there were responsible for flying C-47s and gliders that transported supplies, airmen and equipment to the battlefields during the war.
The airfield was later renamed Bergstrom Army Airfield in 1943, in honor of Capt. John August Earl Bergstrom, an Austin native who was killed in World War II during the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. This renaming cemented the base’s local significance.
The challenge of flying gliders
The WWII glider pilot's job was fraught with danger. Unlike regular aircraft, gliders had no engines. They were towed into the sky by C-47's and then released over enemy territory. Once detached, the pilots had only their skill and the laws of physics to guide them down to the ground. They couldn't turn back. They couldn't call for reinforcements. They were on a one-way trip.
The gliders carried soldiers, medical supplies, ammunition and even vehicles into combat zones. The pilots had to land in fields that were often filled with obstacles — trees, mines and enemy soldiers. Once on the ground, the pilots and their passengers were immediately thrown into battle.
For many of these pilots, the first challenge was simply landing without crashing. Gliders were designed to be light and could be easily damaged by antiaircraft fire, small arms fire, mortars or rough terrain. An additional challenge was the enemy fire that greeted them when they approached and landed on the landing zones. Landings could be chaotic as they dodged physical features of the landscape, other gliders, men and obstacles intentionally placed in the fields to destroy the gliders and occupants.
The local connection: Bergstrom's role
Del Valle Army Airfield housed the 316th Troop Carrier Group for a short time. The glider they would fly in the war — the CG-4A — was still in production at this time. Many of the 316th TCG glider pilots spent their time at the base in the co-pilot’s seat of the C-47s.
The glider pilots from the 316th TCG would fly in the first major glider mission of the war, the Invasion of Sicily. They would also fly in the Invasions of Normandy, Southern France and Holland. These missions were pivotal in pushing back Axis forces and ultimately winning the war.
The airfield, though, wasn’t just a training ground for pilots. It became a key part of the local Austin community. The military’s presence at Bergstrom brought new jobs, increased activity and a sense of pride to the city. Many locals worked at the base, contributing to the war effort in their own way. This bond between Bergstrom and the Austin community would continue even after the war ended.
Operation LADBROKE and the gliders of Sicily
One of the earliest Allied missions of the war involving glider pilots was the invasion of Sicily, also known as Operation LADBROKE. The operation took place on the night of July 9, 1943, and involved both British and American forces. Over 140 gliders, both British and American, were towed across the Mediterranean Sea and off the Sicilian coast. Among the glider co-pilots were volunteers from the 316th TCG who had trained at Bergstrom.
The mission did not go as planned. Gale force winds, near dark conditions and early glider releases caused many gliders to crash into the sea. Many glider pilots and airmen were lost. Despite these setbacks, the glider pilots played a key role through the rest of the war in the future invasions into Europe.
The legacy of Bergstrom Air Force Base
After the war, Bergstrom continued to play an important role in the U.S. Air Force. The base was used for various military purposes throughout the Cold War and beyond, until its closure in 1993. Today, Bergstrom's legacy lives on in the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which was built on the old military airfield.
Many people pass through the airport every day, but few realize the important military history beneath their feet. The brave glider pilots who trained here went on to fly in some of the most dangerous missions of World War II, many of them never returning home. Their story is one of courage and sacrifice, and it’s one that’s deeply connected to Austin.
Remembering the glider pilots
The story of the glider pilots of Bergstrom Air Force Base is an important part of Austin’s history. These glider pilots trained in our own backyard and flew dangerous missions that were critical to the Allied victory in World War II. They landed under fire, behind enemy lines, often under extreme danger. Yet their courage helped turn the tide in battles across Europe and the Pacific.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport stands as a symbol of brave men who risked everything for their country. Their bravery and determination made a difference in the world, and their story is one that should never be forgotten.
About the writer
Monique Taylor is the daughter of a WWII combat glider pilot, a professional historian and a researcher with the National WWII Glider Pilot Association. She is the author of “Suicide Jockeys: The Making of the WWII Combat Glider Pilot,” available at all major book sellers.
This bond between Bergstrom and the Austin community would continue even after the war ended.
Austin-Bergstrom airport stands as a symbol of brave men who risked everything for their country.