The paratroopers jumped at night. Sadly, several buildings were on fire at the time of the jump, and the light from the fires made the paratroopers easy targets for enemy shooters on the ground. Many US paratroopers were killed that night. Some shot. Some landed in swampy areas and drowned because of the weight of their equipment. Some hit trees and posts. Others were sucked into the fires.
One paratrooper's parachute got caught on a church spire. He had been shot in the foot, but lived. He hung there for two hours pretending to be dead. German soldiers took him prisoner. He later escaped and returned to his unit. Today the city keeps a mannequin hanging from the church spire as a reminder of the sacrifice of the US paratroopers that day over 70 years ago.
We enjoyed the museum in town.
Outside of town there is a statue of Iron Mike. The statue is looking out on a beautiful countryside. I imagined paratroopers landing in the fields with the horses among the trees. I'm so grateful for their bravery and their sacrifice.
