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D-Day 65th anniversary Sainte-Mère-Eglise - Airborne operation |
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American C-130 Hercules and French and German C-160 Transall took part in the airdrops. The french soldiers belonged to the 8th Marine Airborne Infantry regiment (8th RPIMa). The U.S. soldiers involved were coming from the 101st Airborne Division and the Rangers. A first drop made from a C-47 Dakota was carries out by enthusiasts and professional skydivers (dressed in WW2 uniform for the most part) before the massive parachute. I had the opportunity to board aboard a military aircraft which participated in the airborne operation. Here are some photos taken in flight and from the ground. |
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| Cherbourg-Maupertus airport | Cherbourg-Maupertus airport | MC-130 Hercules of the US special forces | American paratroopers waiting to embark | ||
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| US paratroopers near a german C160 Transall | Briefing of the American pilots | Briefing of the American pilots | Briefing of the American pilots | ||
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| Boarding for the men of the French 8 Para regiment | German jumpmaster with the 8 Reg. | German jumpmasters with the 8 Reg. | The men of the 8 Reg. ready to jump | ||
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| A few minutes before the drop | Picture:
Patrick Brion |
Picture:
Patrick Brion |
Picture:
Patrick Brion |
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Picture:
Patrick Brion |
Picture:
Patrick Brion |
Arrival of the Hercules and the Transall | Arrival of the Hercules and the Transall | ||
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| The MC-C130 Hercules | Beginning of the drop for the C-130s | Beginning of the drop for the C-130s | Beginning of the drop for the C-160s | ||
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| Massive airborne operation over La Fière | Massive airborne operation over La Fière | Massive airborne operation over La Fière | Massive airborne operation over La Fière | ||
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| Massive airborne operation over La Fière | Arrival of the American paratroopers | Arrival of the American paratroopers | Arrival of the American paratroopers | ||
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| German C-160 Transall | Arrival of the American paratroopers | Arrival of the American paratroopers | Arrival of the French paratroopers | ||
| DDay-Overlord.com
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Reproduction is submitted to authorization - Contact
the webmaster |
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Sunday June
7,
2009 was held at a place called La Fière, near Sainte-Mere-Eglise,
an impressive airdropping of more than 700 U.S., french and even
German paratroopers. The weather conditions were not excellent,
the ceiling was low and the wind was strong: some paratroopers
have landed in the middle of the crowd witnessing the airborne
operation, while others could not jump.