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Gegroet beste bezoeker mijn bedoeling is om u zoveel mogelijk informatie te verstrekken ivm de 101ste luchtlandingsdivisie tijdens WO2. Ik probeer een overzicht te geven van enkele artikels over dit onderwerp die verspreid staan op het internet. Het meeste van deze informatie heb ik dan ook van een andere site gehaald. Het is niet mijn bedoeling om plagiaat te plegen, wel om u via deze links naar deze sites te brengen zodat u zich verder kan informeren. Veel lees en misschien ook hobbyplezier.
Een van de meest spectaculaire militaire innovaties van de Tweede Wereldoorlog vormen de luchtlandingstroepen.
Deze troepen, doorgaans bestaand uit lichtbewapende infanterie, worden door de lucht aangevoerd met transportvliegtuigen of zweefvliegtuigen en landen achter de vijandelijke linies.
Nagenoeg onmisbaar binnen dit concept zijn de parachutisten.
Zij nemen meestal het voortouw in luchtlandingsoperaties.
Het element van verrassing speelt een belangrijke rol bij de inzet van luchtlandingstroepen.
Begonnen wordt meestal met het afwerpen, achter de vijandelijke linies, van parachutisten bij één of meer strategische punten als vliegvelden en bruggen, eventueel voorafgegaan door een luchtaanval om de verdediging te verzwakken.
De parachutisten vormen een bruggehoofd en maken zo de verdere aanvoer van troepen door de lucht of over land mogelijk.
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory! I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory! Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower Order of the Day June 6, 1944
Brief uitgedeeld aan alle geallieerden op de vooravond van operatie Overlord (of D-Day).
Headquarters 506th Parachute Infantry United States Army October 1943
STANDARD EQUIPMENT CARRIED BY EACH PARACHUTIST
1. The following equipment will be carried by all parachutists.
1 Belt, pistol or rifle, dismounted 1 Boots, parachutist, pair 1 Canteen, cup and cover...on belt 1 Compass, lensatic or watch...on belt 1 Cap, wool knit 1 Drawers, wool 1 Field bag...Under parachute harness 1 Gloves, horsehide unlined, pair 4 Grenades, hand, frag. MkII...2 Waist pockets coat...2 hip pockets trousers 1 Handkerchief...Left chest pocket 1 Helmet, steel, M1, mod.(I think), w/liner 1 Knife, pocket, M2...Center chest pocket 1 Knife, trench, M3, w/scabbard M6...on belt 1 Matches, package 1 Mask, gas (If required) 1 Message book, pencil and maps...Right chest pocket 1 Parachute, T-5, complete 1 Pouch, first-aid and packet...on belt 2 Ration "K" (broken down)...Leg pockets 1 Raincoat...Loop over belt 1 Rope, parachutist, 30' x 3/8"...Looped on belt 1 Prophylaxis, mechanical, kit...Right chest pocket 2 Socks, light wool, pair...1 pair in field bag 1 Spoon, M/26...In canteen cover 1 Supporter, athletic (optional) 1 Tablets in box, chlorine or halazone...Left chest pocket 1 Tablets in box, bentadine ...Right chest pocket 2 Tags, identification, w/necklace 2 Tape, ankle (optional) 1 Tissue, toilet...Left chest pocket 1 Toilet set...Waist pockets 1 Tool, entrenching...On belt 1 Undershirt, wool 1 Uniform, parachutists, 2-pc.
2. Following additional equipment will be carried by Officers:
1 Binoculars, M-13...Over shoulder or on belt 1 Carbine, cal..30, M1A1 (except field Off)...On belt in scabbard 1 Case, canvas, dispatch...Over right shoulder 1 Flashlight, TL-122-A...Left leg pocket 1 Map, template M2...Dispatch case 1 Pistol, auto., cal..45 (Field O's. only)...On belt in holster 1 Pocket, double web.w/clips (Field O. only)...On belt 2 Pocket, mag., carbine, cal..30, M1A1 (except field Officers)...On belt 1 Whistle, thunderer...Left chest pocket
Deze pathfinders hadden, op D-day, de taak om voor de andere paratroepers te landen en Eureka-bakens op te stellen zodat de andere vliegtuigen de droppingzones of DZs vonden. Het spreekt voor zich dat deze mannen het neusje van de zalm waren, jammer genoeg vielen er onder deze mannen ook de meeste slachtoffers. De helft van deze mannen is gedood in het gevecht. Op deze foto staan ook de bemanning van de C-47, die zitten, op de eerste rij.
He was just a Rookie trooper and he surely shook with fright As he checked all his equipment and made sure his pack was tight He had to sit and listen to those awful engines roar You ain't gonna jump no more...!
REFEIN: Gory Gory, what a helluvaway to die Gory Gory, what a helluvaway to die Gory Gory, what a helluvaway to die And he ain't gonna jump no more!
Is everybody happy said the sergeant looking up Our Hero feebly answered, Yes, and then they stood him up He jumped into the icey blast, his Static Line unhooked And he ain't gonna jump no more!
REFEIN
He counted long, he counted loud, he waited for the shock He felt the wind, he felt the cloud, he felt the awful drop He jerked his cord, the silk spilled out and wrapped around his legs And he ain't gonna jump no more !
REFEIN
The risers wrapped around his neck, connectors cracked his dome The lines were snarled and tied in knots, around his skinny bones The canopy became his shroud, he hurtled to the ground And he ain't gonna jump no more !
REFEIN
The days he lived and loved and laughed, kept running through his mind He thought about the girl back home, the one he left behind He thought about the medics and he wondered what they would find And he ain't gonna jump no more...
REFEIN
The ambulance was on the spot, the jeeps were running wild The medic clapped their hands with glee, rolled up their sleeves and smiled For it had been a week or more since last a chute had failed And he ain't gonna jump no more !
REFEIN
He hit the ground, the sound was 'SPLAT', the blood went spurting high His buddies all were heard to say 'WHAT A HELLUVAWAY TO DIE!' He lay there rolling round in the welter of his gore And he ain't gonna jump no more!
REFEIN
There was Blood upon the Risers, there were brains upon the chute Intestines were a-dangling from his paratrooper suit The medics picked him up and poured him gently from his boots And he ain't gonna jump no more
REFEIN
They operated all night through but it was in despair, For every bone that he possessed was ruined beyond repair; And so he was buried then, his silken 'chute his shroud And he ain't gonna jump no more.
REFEIN
They say he went to heaven and arriving there I'm told He got a pair of silver boots and a parachute of gold; He may be very happy there but i'll stick here below Cause he ain't gonna jump no more...
Dit filmpje leert je meer over hoe een K-rantsoen gemaakt werd in 1943. Een K-rantsoen was het rantsoen dat uitgedeeld werd aan onder andere de paratroepers voorafgaand aan D-day.
