Anticipation is a strange thing,
The invasion of Europe, in the offing.
Will we go?, will we not?,
My head is spinning, stomach in knots.
Boarding the plane, adjusting your gear,
None of the men, showing much fear.
Well briefed, we know what to expect,
Engines roaring, time to reflect.
Remembering home, the loved ones there,
Pleasant memories, planes take to the air.
Paratroopers will lead the way,
The invasion of France, is underway.
To catch the Germans by surprise,
Airborne soldiers, will jump and die.
"D-Day", has begun,
Soon Hitler's armies on the run.
Flying in the dark of night,
The planes are bobbing left and right.
Enemy guns are firing high,
Tracer bullets light up the sky.
June 6th, of forty four,
Never have so many, "stood in the door".
As the light turned from red to green,
"Bill Lee", was the scream.
Before I knew it, my chute was open,
Planes on fire, my breath was choking.
Bullets flying, brave men dying,
Looking down, still hear the sounds.
German soldiers running around,
Buildings on fire, throughout the town.
Paratroopers landing everywhere,
Firing their "Thompsons", from the air.
The Cherbourg Peninsula, all a drop zone,
Troopers and gliders, some landing alone.
Clicking their "crickets", all did regroup,
Creating chaos, confusing Nazi troops.
Inflicting damage, wherever they went,
Enemy soldiers, forced to relent.
Paratroopers were paving the way,
Seizing objectives and securing causeways.
To open exits for the beaches,
Seaborne troops would be soon reaching.
Normandy would soon be stormed,
Nazi soldiers not forwarned.
Caught unaware and by surprise,
Enemy soldiers were quick to die.
Trying hard, to hold their own,
Dying Nazi's were heard to groan.
Heavy fighting, brought to bear,
Airborne victories were quite clear.
German's couldn't counterattack,
Paratroopers would cut no slack.
Capturing roadways, bridges and locks,
Airborne soldiers couldn't be stopped.
Taking objectives as they went,
Nazi resistance was badly spent.
As a result of the Airborne mission,
Normandy's beaches became aquisitions.
H-Hour was a success,
Many Nazis were laid to rest.
"D-Day" opened the door,
Allied victories thus assured.
Cherbourg became an open port,
Nazi Germany became a fort.
"D-DAY, A SOUND BEGINNING!",
The sound of freedom, allies winning.
Twas the start of something great,
Airborne soldiers, sealing Hitler's fate.
The cost was high, the price was paid,
Many crosses mark their graves.
Paratroopers fought and died,
But Europe's freedom still survives.
Thank you all, for what you've done,
You Airborne heroes, everyone!
By Peter S. GRIFFIN
