church of Sainte-Mère-Eglise
The church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption is at the centre of the Normandy town of St-Mère-Eglise.
Just inland from Utah Beach, this is where paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division (known as the 'All American') began the D-Day invasion in the early hours of 6th June 1944. Many of the paratroopers landed away from their intended drop zones, including one, Private John Steele, whose parachute snagged on the church tower, leaving him hanging (and pretending to be dead to avoid being shot).
A replica paratrooper now hangs from the church to commemorate this event.
church of Sainte-Mère-Eglise
The church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption is at the centre of the Normandy town of St-Mère-Eglise.
Just inland from Utah Beach, this is where paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division (known as the 'All American') began the D-Day invasion in the early hours of 6th June 1944. Many of the paratroopers landed away from their intended drop zones, including one, Private John Steele, whose parachute snagged on the church tower, leaving him hanging (and pretending to be dead to avoid being shot).
A replica paratrooper now hangs from the church to commemorate this event.