*USA, WW2, Framed Collection from the American 82nd Airborne Division, Parachute “Operation Neptune”, Invasion of Normandy June 6th 1944*
Measures: 38cm x 32.5cm
“Normandy June 6. 1944. Parachute sections and American shoulder flash from the invasion of Normandy, donated by Major (Ret) Donald G. Jutz ex 82nd Airborne, A.V.A.”
The 82nd Airborne Division, known as the All-American Division, was established on 25 August 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia, and gained prominence during World War I. Originating from all 48 states, it earned its nickname “All-American.” In World War II, the division was reconstituted in August 1942 as the U.S. Army’s first airborne division, participating in various campaigns throughout the war.
The 82nd, participated in “D-Day” – Operation Neptune, or the amphibious assault portion of Allied invasion of Normandy. The division conducted Mission Boston, a component of the Operation Overlord plan. On 5 and 6 June these paratroopers, parachute artillery elements, boarded hundreds of transport planes and gliders to begin history’s largest airborne assault at the time (only Operation Market Garden later that year would be larger).
In the early hours of June 6 (between 00.50am and 1.40am) the pathfinders were dropped behind the enemy lines in order to prepare the drop zones. At 1.40am the men of the 82nd U.S. Airborne Division were dropped off over the Merderet River and marsh. The poor weather conditions – low cloud on the northern part of the Cotentin Peninsula and ground fog over the drop zones – altered the visibility of the marker flares installed by the pathfinders. Heavy German anti-aircraft fire added to the situation. As a result, the drops of both the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions were scattered over an area four times larger than the scheduled one. Indeed, the aircraft carrying the paratroopers found themselves under severe anti-aircraft enemy fire, as soon as they approached the coasts.
Donald George “Zorro” Jutz – died July 25, 2018, age 88. Donald was an Army veteran of 21 years during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He served with the 82nd and 187th ABN RCT Divisions and was a pilot with the 281 Assault Helicopter Company, a Green Beret, Special Forces and Special Operations. He was awarded the distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with V for Valor and numerous other awards during his military career.
*Condition*
This in good used condition and provides a wonderful poignant glimpse into one of the significant turning points of the war. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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