All this week I’ll be rerunning my series on the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, France. Next week I’ll return you to our Iceland/Ireland trip and beyond. In the meantime, in commemoration of the 79th anniversary of Operation Neptune (the Normandy landings) and Operation Overlord (the Battle of Normandy) in the event we now collectively refer to as D-Day:
82nd Airborne commemorated in stained glass
The D-Day invasion of Normandy began shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944, when English and American paratroopers began descending from the skies to their respective landing zones. Unfortunately one element of the U.S. 82nd Airborne missed their intended landing zone, coming down instead into Sainte-Mere-Èglise, where German soldiers were waiting for them
Sainte-Mère-Église “Longest Day” memorial
Among the more fortunate that day was Private John Steele, whose parachute snagged on the church steeple. Here he hung loosely, pretending to be dead as many of his comrades were shot on their descent into the town. Private Steel would later be captured, escape, and later rejoined elements of the 82nd.
Private John Steele effigy suspended by parachute
Private Steele’s ordeal was depicted by Red Buttons in the motion picture The Longest Day, based upon the outstanding bestseller by WWII historian Cornelius Ryan.
Sainte-Mère-Église Church
More photos from the Sainte-Mère-Église Church:
82nd Airborne commemorated in stained glass
Sainte-Mère-Église Church
Sainte-Mère-Église Church
Decisions — Murder in Paradise
The Globe — Murder in Luxury
