Normandy, The Airborne Invasion of Fortress Europe (R2 of 6)

Summary

Reel 2 MLS C-47s taxiing MCU two ground crewmen run over and attach towing device to tail section of C-47 CU attaching towing device to nose section of glider Several angle shots; RV, FV, and interior of aircraft towing glider, and interior of glider being towed Scenes of C-47s taking off towing gliders Aerial formations of C-47s towing gliders Aerial formations of C-47s towing gliders at high altitude Aerial Formation of C-47s at extreme low altitude towing gliders CS interior C-47, pilot and co-pilot of same CS co-pilot pointing down to drop area. Aerial formation of C-47s towing gliders. Scenes taken in United States prior to overseas departure CS of tow release device in glider AS taken from interior glider showing pilot releasing tow mechanism PS from interior of glider showing descent ADS showing gliders descending CPS of gliders landing in small open field showing arrestors schute on same opening. Others landing in same area CPS of one of the gliders landing, wing tip knocked off as it hits tree showing pieces flying through air; largo section of wing tip falling in area near camera CS men unloading equipment from glider CS coverage showing paratroopers getting into action immediately after landing. Unloading guns and equipment and ammunition from glider cannons; equipment and ammunition loaded onto jeeps and small trailers, towed behind same CS showing men advancing across area after leaving gliders MS firing cannon CS interior SHEAF Hq, showing Gen. Eisenhower and several other generals, two-star and one-star, conferring about invasion CS coverage interior headquarters showing various commanders of United Nations Navy, Army and Air Force who will participate in the invasion. Planning same CS English ground crewman working on English Horsa glider CS men of the 9th Troop Carrier Command painting US insignia on side of Horsa MS looking up over head past wind direction finder on top of building showing C-47s taking off passing overhead Aerial formation of C-47s in flight MS C-47s flying in low across area showing two poles and pick-up rope attached between same. C-47 makes aerial pick-up of glider. Scene repeats PS glider taking off. Aerial formation C-47s passing overhead GS CS interior C-47 showing crew members shoving large cargo packs out ADS cargo pack and chute descending MCU fixed camera beneath fuselage of C-47 in flight showing release of parapaks attached to the underside CS paratroopers lined up, full saddle equipment; these are the pathfinder crews who jump prior to main body of invasion fleet, setting up jump area CS of the men and their equipment Aerial formation of C-47s passing overhead. Aerial formation of C-47s towing gliders GCS of release of gliders PS gliders landing in open field AS of release of gliders from C-47 PS to landings of gliders CPS of area in which gliders have landed showing several gliders demolished and damaged CPS paratrooper driving jeep which in turn pulls cannon from partly demolished CG-4A type glider. These are all practice missions.