Seventy years ago the Allied armies waded ashore on the beaches of Normandy to liberate Nazi-occupied Europe. The night before on June 5th American airborne forces (82nd and 101st) landed on the Western flank of the invasion area near St. Mere Eglise while British airborne (6th para) forces secured the Eastern flank and Pegasus bridge. They jumped out of C-47 Dakota Skytrain transport planes through darkness and into glory. Some arrived by glider. Private John Steele of the 82nd airborne landed on the steeple of the church at St. Mere Eglise (toggle through photos above).
Posted in D-Day