75th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings

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75th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings

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US paratroopers put on a spectacular display as they leap over northern France ahead of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings next month
US paratroops have been preparing ahead of next month's D-Day anniversary by jumping into Normandy
The elite troops leaped from a C-130 carrying D-Day markings near Le Mont-Saint-Michel earlier today
Some 24,000 troops landed in Normandy shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944 - ahead of the main force
By DARREN BOYLE FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 04:10 AEST, 19 May 2019 | UPDATED: 10:41 AEST, 19 May 2019
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US paratroopers have been practicing ahead of the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings by jumping from a C-130 sporting the black and white stripped markings used by allied aircraft on June 6, 1944.

Some 24,000 airborne troops landed across Normandy shortly after midnight, passing over the main invasion force as it steamed towards the beach.

The paratroopers were ordered to hold strategic locations, disrupt communications and prevent reinforcements from arriving at the beaches while the main invasion force came ashore.

The C-130 used in today's practice over Le Mont-Saint-Michel in north-western France carried the marking W7. Whiskey Seven was a C-47 Dakota which was used during D-Day, dropping troops into battle. The original aircraft took part in the 70th commemorations having underwent a major reconstruction.

US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and the British Prime Minister, currently Theresa May, are expected to take part in a series of events commemorating next month's D-Day anniversary.

This US Air Force C-130 flying above Le Mont-Saint-Michel, north-western France is involved in a training sortie ahead of next month's 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The Hercules has the black-and-white stripes on the fuselage and on the wings what were used on D-Day - to allow Allied shipping and gunners to clearly identify friendly aircraft. This aircraft is carrying the W7 (Whiskey Seven) markings of a C-47 Dakota which was actually used over Normandy in 1944. The paratroopers are even using the side door of the aircraft, which was the only way out at the time. Today, paratroopers can jump out the rear ramp of aircraft such as the C-130 or Airbus A400 Atlas +8
This US Air Force C-130 flying above Le Mont-Saint-Michel, north-western France is involved in a training sortie ahead of next month's 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The Hercules has the black-and-white stripes on the fuselage and on the wings what were used on D-Day - to allow Allied shipping and gunners to clearly identify friendly aircraft. This aircraft is carrying the W7 (Whiskey Seven) markings of a C-47 Dakota which was actually used over Normandy in 1944. The paratroopers are even using the side door of the aircraft, which was the only way out at the time. Today, paratroopers can jump out the rear ramp of aircraft such as the C-130 or Airbus A400 Atlas

The paratroopers, pictured, jumped from low altitude during the day, although 75 years ago, those involved in the D-Day landings left the aircraft into the pre-dawn darkness to establish a foothold behind the invasion beaches to prevent reinforcements rushing to the coastline +8
The paratroopers, pictured, jumped from low altitude during the day, although 75 years ago, those involved in the D-Day landings left the aircraft into the pre-dawn darkness to establish a foothold behind the invasion beaches to prevent reinforcements rushing to the coastline

Operation Overlord, the invasion of Europe, saw 24,000 British, American, Canadian and Free French airborne troops land across Normandy shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944. The main invasion force was six hours behind, due to arrive at Juno, Sword, Gold, Utah and Omaha beaches at 6.30am +8
Operation Overlord, the invasion of Europe, saw 24,000 British, American, Canadian and Free French airborne troops land across Normandy shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944. The main invasion force was six hours behind, due to arrive at Juno, Sword, Gold, Utah and Omaha beaches at 6.30am

Some 160,000 troops landed on the beaches, with an estimated 4,400 soldiers and sailors killed during the mission which Winston Churchill described as 'undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult that has ever taken place' +8
Some 160,000 troops landed on the beaches, with an estimated 4,400 soldiers and sailors killed during the mission which Winston Churchill described as 'undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult that has ever taken place'

The paratroopers were expected to hold their own in the field for up to a week until the main landing force broke through +8
The paratroopers were expected to hold their own in the field for up to a week until the main landing force broke through

The original paratroopers were handed special 'clickers' which were to allow them to identify each other during darkness hours on the first day of the battle. However, the soldiers were ordered to stop using them after 24 hours in case the Germans realised their importance +8
The original paratroopers were handed special 'clickers' which were to allow them to identify each other during darkness hours on the first day of the battle. However, the soldiers were ordered to stop using them after 24 hours in case the Germans realised their importance

D-Day: How Operation Overlord turned the tide of war in Europe
Operation Overlord saw some 156,000 Allied troops landing in Normandy on June 6, 1944.

It is thought as many as 4,400 were killed in an operation Winston Churchill described as 'undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult that has ever taken place'.

The assault was conducted in two phases: an airborne landing of 24,000 British, American, Canadian and Free French airborne troops shortly after midnight, and an amphibious landing of Allied infantry and armoured divisions on the coast of France commencing at 6.30am.

The operation was the largest amphibious invasion in world history, with over 160,000 troops landing. Some 195,700 Allied naval and merchant navy personnel in over 5,000 ships were involved.

The operation was the largest amphibious invasion in world history, with over 160,000 troops landing. Some 195,700 Allied naval and merchant navy personnel in over 5,000 ships were involved. +8
The operation was the largest amphibious invasion in world history, with over 160,000 troops landing. Some 195,700 Allied naval and merchant navy personnel in over 5,000 ships were involved.

The landings took place along a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.

The assault was chaotic with boats arriving at the wrong point and others getting into difficulties in the water.

Troops managed only to gain a small foothold on the beach - but they built on their initial breakthrough in the coming days and a harbour was opened at Omaha.

They met strong resistance from the German forces who were stationed at strongpoints along the coastline.

Approximately 10,000 allies were injured or killed, inlcuding 6,603 American, of which 2,499 were fatal.

Between 4,000 and 9,000 German troops were killed - and it proved the pivotal moment of the war, in the allied forces' favour.


The first wave of troops from the US Army takes cover under the fire of Nazi guns
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
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