World War II marked the first time soldiers invaded from the sky.
Planes saw combat in World War I but sparingly. By the time war broke out for the second in 20th century, the Allies had devised a new way to invade. The paratroopers were rigorously trained to dive from the air behind enemy lines and surround the Axis powers. The beach landings at D-Day were supported by the 101st Airborne, who were already deep in German-occupied France.
See the brave soldiers who came from above and utilized an unprecedented method of warfare.
1
Aerial photograph of the massive force of paratroopers dropping into Normandy
June 6th, 1944
2
British paratroopers of the 1st Airborne Division in their aircraft during the flight to Arnhem
September 25th, 1944
3
American paratroopers right after landing in Normandy
June 6th, 1944
4
A WW2 paratrooper climbs a tree to help cut a fellow soldier out of his parachute
June 6th, 1944
5
American paratroopers landing in Europe
June 6th, 1944
6
Two paratroopers of the 17th Airborne Division wait for takeoff on their C-46 during Operation Varsity
March 23, 1945
7
Dogs were used as paratroopers on D-day during WWII. This is Salvo the U.S. parachuting dog as he executes a jump during training
1943
8
Paratroopers dropping in during the retaking of Corregidor
February 1945
9
A stick of paratroopers on D-Day hit the silk over Europe
June 6th, 1944
10
Men of the 82nd adjust gear before boarding their transports
June 5th, 1944
11
Paratroopers on their way to board their plane to fly into the Normandy Invasion
June 5th, 1944
12
An American WW2 paratrooper during a practice jump
1942
13
General Dwight D. Eisenhower speaking with First lieutenant Wallace C. Strobel and men of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment One day before the jump at Normandy
June 5th, 1944
14
Heavily armed paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division await the signal to stand up and hook up, then jump into Normandy
June 6th, 1944
15
Paratroopers awaiting the jump over Normandy
June 6th, 1944
16
Major General James M. Gavin suiting up for the Operation Market Garden jump
September 17th, 1944
17
Paratroopers drop from Dakota aircraft over the outskirts of Arnhem
September 17th, 1944
18
The 82nd Airborne Division drops near Grave, during Operation Market Garden
September 1st, 1944
19
Paratroopers landing during Operation Market Garden by the first allied airborne army in the Netherlands
September 17th, 1944
20
The 101st Airborne drops into occupied Netherlands
September 17th, 1944
