Glider snatch pick-up

[1] The snatching aircraft, typically a Douglas C-47 Skytrain ("Dakota"), had a 20 ft (6 m) arm hanging down at a 45-degree angle, supporting a hook at the tip.

The special design of the hook meant it was less likely to snag the ground but would grab the loop.

This, and the stretch in the nylon rope, reduced shock loading to less than 1 g for a duration of around 3 to 6 seconds, by which time the glider would be airborne.

Some casualties were evacuated from the D-Day landings back to the United Kingdom using this technique.

Several rescues of downed aircraft passengers were also performed by landing gliders to pick up survivors and then snatching them from remote locations.