Parachutists drop into Normandy for D-Day commemorations - 'We owe them everything'
Parachutists hurled themselves from aircrafts used in the real D-Day operation to commemorate the invasion
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Parachutists hurled themselves from aircrafts used in the real D-Day operation to commemorate the invasion.
Veterans and serving military members wore WW2 era uniforms as they jumped from the iconic Dakota C-47 transport aircraft at Carentan-les-Marais in Normandy over the weekend.
The jump made by the Round Canopy Parachute Team and others kicks off a week of events in both France and Britain marking the 80th anniversary of the largest air, sea and land invasion in history.
More than 18,000 allied paratroopers jumped into Normandy from hundreds of aircraft behind enemy lines before June 6.
The jump made by the Round Canopy Parachute Team and others kicks off a week of events in both France and Britain marking the 80th anniversary of the largest air, sea and land invasion in history
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Neil Hansler, 63, from Poole and a former paratrooper in 10th Battalion Parachute Regiment, said: "To fly to Normandy in the foot steps of those brave souls who flew at night into enemy gunfire is a humbling experience.
"We’re doing it in daylight without equipment and without being shot at.
"The significance can't be overplayed. The ones who came home were the lucky ones. We owe them everything."
Aircraft heritage company Aero Legends arranged the parachute drop alongside US partners D-Day Squadron for the D-Day 80 Heroes Remembered events in the UK and France.
The planes set off from Duxford in Cambridgeshire on Sunday, June 2 with just a 90-minute flight to Normandy.
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Neil Hansler from Poole and a former paratrooper in 10th Battalion Parachute Regiment, said: 'To fly to Normandy in the foot steps of those brave souls who flew at night into enemy gunfire is a humbling experience'
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A jump had been planned for the previous day at the Imperial War Museum, but windy weather stopped plans due to safety concerns.
On D-Day, paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines before the main beach assault to take control of key roads, destroy targets and rail infrastructure, and stop German reinforcements.
Guy Coghlan, 58, from Surrey, a paratrooper serving with the 4th Volunteer Battalion Parachute Regiment, said: "It’s a huge privilege to celebrate the brave souls who did this during the war."
Thousands of the paratroopers on D-Day were from America’s Airborne Division which took part in the events made famous by TV series Band of Brothers.
Dilan Swift and his brother Forrest travelled from the US alongside other family members to jump with the RCPT.
The 35-year-old veteran from California who served in the United States Marine Corps, described the commemorative jump as a "proud moment."
He said: "World War Two was a turning point for the United States in becoming what it has when we contributed to something great."
John Lind, 60, from Detroit, Michigan served in the United States Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force
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The brothers are from a 6th generation military family.
Forrest, aged 31 from Florida, is currently serving in the US Airforce’s Pararescue - saving the lives of crashed pilots.
"We’re all history buffs in our family. We want to honour those who came before and do it right," he said.
“My father-in-law invaded Normandy with the 3rd Infantry. It’s really interesting to see that family connection.”
John Lind, 60, from Detroit, Michigan served in the United States Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force.
Now a Jump Master in RCPT, he said: "You can either read about history or you can live it. This is living history.
"I feel very proud and very thankful to be representing the United States of America."
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