American paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division, boarding hired British commercial buses that take them to a marshaling point, in preparation for the invasion of Normandy, France, in World War 2. Views from below of U.S. Army Air Forces C-47 transport aircraft in formation, carrying paratroopers toward Normandy, France, on June 5, 1944. Aerial view of British and American invasion ships en route to rendezvous off the Isle of Wight. U.S. Army Air Forces B-26 and B-17 bombers in flight. B-17 dropping bombs on lines of communications in Normandy, to hinder German movements of reinforcements. Allied warships and transports beginning their move toward the coast of Normandy. British landing craft underway under cover of barrage balloons.
Allied troops invade Hollandia, Indonesia during World War II. United States ships underway in the Pacific Ocean on April 22, 1944 to attack Japanese positions in Hollandia. The ships underway as United States Army General Douglas MacArthur looks at the convoy from United States cruiser USS Nashville (CL-43). Radars on alert in case of enemy attack. A United States destroyer transfers mail aboard the USS Nashville. Troops being briefed aboard a ship. Naval guns fire at the coast during night and flaks burst. American carrier planes bombard Japanese position on the island. Allied ships underway as planes fly overhead. Troops in landing crafts as they head for the beach. Allied troops disembark from the crafts and advance inland. Trucks, tanks and troops unload from landing crafts. Allied soldiers walk through mud as they advance. General MacArthur gets off Nashville and inspect an airfield under construction on the island.
Paratroopers of the U.S. 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, at RAF Station, Greenham Common, proceed, in full battle gear, to board C-47 aircraft for their flight to Normandy, France, on June 5, 1944, during World War 2. Camouflage is seen on their helmets and their faces are blackened. One group is seen boarding C-47, tail number 43-15296. An officer reads briefing notes to them.They don life vests. A Captain and two Sergeants discuss briefing notes.Paratroopers help others who have difficulty climbing aboard the aircraft because of their heavy and ungainly equipment. Ninth Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Louis H. Brereton speaks to Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Louis R. Goodrich, and shakes hands with some of the troopers, wishing them well, as they board C-47 number 42-92847, named, "That's All...Brother."(This was the lead aircraft for the airdrop, just behind the C-47s dropping pathfinders. It was piloted by the commander of the 438th Troop Carrier Group, Colonel John Donalson, and 87th Troop Carrier Squadron Commander, Lieutenant Colonel David Daniel.) The C-47s taxi out for takeoff, as senior officers watch them depart. (Note: There has been confusion about the name of the lead aircraft, C-47, 42-92847, because Colonel Donalson normally flew one named "Belle of Birmingham. " Research, including information from his daughter, indicate that he chose 42-92847, as lead aircraft, because it would have to be cut open to accommodate SCR 717C radar equipment, and he didn't want that done to his favorite airplane.)
Training of U.S. paratrooper pathfinders prior to Allied invasion of Normandy, France during World War 2. U.S. Army Air Forces C-47 aircraft in flight as American paratroopers make practice jumps. A paratrooper lands at drop zone at North Witham training area in England during practice. On June 5th, 1944 C-47 aircraft with invasion stripes parked at an airfield in England.
Scenes taken by U.S. paratrooper (not shown) during stopover in Casablanca, French Morocco, on July 13, 1944. A street sign points to Washington, Tokyo, London, Berlin, and Paris, showing distances. Sidewalk entertainers play musical instruments as people gather around them. A government building in the city with tricolor streamer on it. Panning views of the surrounding area. Aerial views of the ruins of Monte Cassino Abbey (very dark underexposed).
Aftermath of an accident on July 20, 1944, when two U.S. Army Air Forces P-51C Mustang fighter planes,flying low in close formation, struck a palm tree and collided over the 2800 and 2900 blocks of Post Street, in between Willow Branch and Cherry Streets. The crash caused a three-alarm fire involving twelve houses, three apartments, and three garage apartments. Both pilots, one a Lee High School Graduate, died in the crash. The only other fatality was a person killed by an airplane engine that crashed into his residence. (Reportedly, the aircraft were buzzing the home where parents of one of the pilots lived, in the 2700 block of Post Street.) Firefighters extinguishing the fire. Smoking houses. Debris lying in the area. People gathered around the houses. A damaged house. A wrecked car. (World War II period).
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