History 2007 part 2

Mike, Frank, Herve and myself left Holland on June 1st 2007 to travel to Normandy for the D-day events and do airborne jumps to honour the veterans. In two cars with 8 main parachutes, reserves, reserve-main parachutes ext we left at 09.00 hrs. The travel was uneventful and nearly 11 hrs later we arrived at the campsite of Quineville in Normandy .We picked up Steward in Valognes who came by train. The campsite looked very nice and Liberty Jump Team waited for us to start the introduction. This was the first time we met Jil & Dom (organisers of LJT). Lots of members came from the U.S. and the rest were also member from Pathfinder.

After a good night sleep we started with inspecting our chutes and doing some PLF’s so the jumpmaster could see if we were eligible for not breaking our necks. Going to a ceremony at Angloville au Plain was very interesting. They honoured one of the veterans who had the hospital in the church. Still today you can see the bloodstains on the seats. We watched the Jump of the 82nd Airborne Division at La Fiere with the veterans. Just to talk to the veterans was an experience. Their body’s were old, but their minds were still young. If they could, they would jump with us tomorrow. They are the history and hope they will be with us for many years to come. The ceremony at Iron Mike ended that day’s event. A fly-by from three C-130 over our heads at 200 feet as a salute to the vets was an incredible sight.

June 3th was a nice morning with a nice early rise and the usual s….s……s….. and s…. We all got together at the dropzone at Carantan ( in 1944 different sticks from different regiments drop in the vicinity and nearby the Congressional medal of honour was won by Commander Cole who lead a bayonet charge) to inspect and see if any obstacles could be seen. With us were also 6 men of the 82nd airborne division who supposed to jump with us, but because their paperwork was not ready they could not jump. They were nice men and most of them had combat experience in Afghanistan and Iraq. Except for the major (who was 35 years of age) I think that most of them were around 22 years of age. They stayed with us until June 8th and were very good ground-crew. We left for Cherbourg Airport and arriving at the airport we noticed that we would be gearing up in the departure hall. This was the first time in my life to stand in a airport departure hall with a ’45 in my hand without police asking me questions. Drag-em-oot C-47 was waiting for us and after getting our equipment and chutes on (we jumped full pack) we boarded the plane. The sun was shining and the feeling of American Para's gearing up beside the C-47, takes you back to the day’s of U.S. Para's gearing up next to a C-47 with a nice sun at one of the airfields in England in 1944. It was the same C-47 we jumped out in the 2006 Ginkle heath jump in Holland. The motors were roaring and after taking of we saw for the first time the Normandy fields. All was nice and green, sky was blue and all were eager to jump. We (Mike, Frank, Steward, Herve and me ) were in the first stick and arriving at the dropzone, we circle for nearly 30 minutes before we jumped. We said to each other that it was the same as the time we stood for nearly 30 min at Arnhem before we jumped. Roger (jumpmaster) said go and the nice cool wind was a good feeling after leaving the warm dry space of the C-47. We dropped from 1250 ft in 4 sticks of 5 Para's. I nearly landed on a cow and after landing, steward was nearly overrun by a hurd of cows. All around us Para's were landing and unfortunately, one Para (Rob) landed on a tractor-road and broke his pelvis. He was brought to St.Lo hospital and had to stay there for several day’s. All in All it was a good jump and for me the first jump in Normandy….it felt great

June 4th was again getting up very early and the first stop was hell’s corner. This was a house that during the battle fierce fighting took place. Nowadays it’s a museum. Straight back to the school (rigging area) and start packing our chutes. 24 chutes between 7 men is organizing and helping each other. All went well and we didn’t even finished the last chutes or we were off to inspect the dropzone at Liesville sur douve. This dropzone we would be jumping at night (23.00 hrs on June 5th) The dropzone was enormous and during 1944 this area was flooded and many sticks got stuck or drowned. The whole time we walked the dropzone, we were followed by cows and horses……and fly’s. Driving through the Normandy fields and villages was driving in another time. Everybody felt the atmosphere that is still in Normandy after all those years.

June 5th another early rise and off to the German cemetery at La Crame. Next was Point du Hoc and the allied cemetery at Coleville su Mere were 21.000 allied soldier are buried who died during the Day and +. The tree excursions were an incredible experience and I will go back in years to come to pay my respect and jump for the men and women who fought and died to give us freedom. Back at the campsite we geared up to go for a second time to Cherbourg Airfield. As a trustworthy lady the C-47 was waiting for us to drop us above Liesville sur Douve. After getting all our equipment on and checked by the jumpmaster, we all got fluor-sticks. One on each jump boots, so the ground-crew could see were we land and if something would happen during landing, we would easily be found. We took of from Cherbourg and the night was still bright. Numbers 1 and 2 sticks were up and ready to jump. The jumpmaster could see the lights on the ground and both sticks were out in two runs. We were ready to jump as 3th stick and at the shout GO from Roger I was hanging in the air above Normandy at night. The last time this was done was during D-Day. We were the first so it was a special feeling. Because it was not completely dark we could see the ground and it was the softest landing ever. 20 meters from me Herve landed and we shook hands and absorbed the atmosphere of standing on a dropzone in Normandy in the middle of the night after jumping out of a C-47. We could see other jumping from the aircraft and landing all around us. After a while talking to each other while sitting on the dropzone, we were picked up by jeeps and taken to the Douve river. At that time it was dark and we were taken by small boats across the river. That also was a special feeling and sight. We all came together at a small café at 02.00 hrs in the morning somewhere in Normandy and we stood to attention. The 82nd Airborne Major pinned the LJT wings on our jacket and for each of us he had a few words. This whole night was incredible.

June 6th we had a small sleep in until 08.00 hrs when a eager gardener was cutting the grass with an electric cutter 5 cm from my ears. I told him gently that he had to come back in 5 hrs time, because otherwise 24 Para's wouldn’t be happy…….and so he did. This day was slow and we had the honour to speak to the father of Jil. He jumped with the 507 PIR 82nd Airborne into Normandy and got captured after 3 day’s. We were invited into jil’s & Dom’s House (chateau) and they are very nice people with dedicated their life’s for the vets. Their home was hit by an "88 during the battle and the evidence is still there.

Jun 7th we "as usual" got up at 07.30 hrs and a event was taking place at the beach. We visited Saint Mary Dumont, Saint mere English and other airborne places. In the afternoon we had a guard of honour in front of the freedom museum at Quineville and a reception with the mayor ext at the school. Lot’s of handshakes and Rob (broken pelvis) was also with us again. His number on the back of the LJT wings is 007 and that’s why his name is from now on JAMES.

June 8th we got up at 06.00 hrs and started packing chutes at 07.00 hrs. During the morning Hubert came by with croissants and coffee. After finishing packing we all went to the gun-battery near the coast of UTAH. We all then proceeded to the dropzone at Amfreville. This was the dropzone of the 507PIR. Unfortunately, only two or three sticks actually landed on the dropzone in 1944. We also got told that during the jump, we would carry the ashes of late Commander Thain who jumped with the 82nd Airborne during D-day. He was the commander of 456 artillery who protected the regiment of Vandervoort, the 505PIR.

June 9th we drove to Cherbourg Airport around 09.30 hrs and arrived at 10.00 hrs. We got rigged up and waited their until our departure three hrs later. It was a long wait and most of us went to sleep, talked, reading newspapers, or taking photo’s. Boarding the plane was not very amusing. Inside the plane it was like a sauna and we could wait for the plane to take of so fresh air would fill the aircraft. Every paratroopers from every country got a back with a part of the ashes of Commander Thain. We were told that the ashes should be spread at the place were you landed and so we did. It was a privilege and a honour to take commander Thain onboard and jump with this veteran for the last time. We jumped and not all of us made it to the dropzone but Dallas (ext Airborne Ranger) landed as usual in front of the public. If Dallas is around, peace and quite does not exist. He is a good man. Herve and I landed again only 10 meters apart and at a curtain sign the back with the ashes of Commander Thian was spread over the dropzone and he was with his men again. We proceeded to a nice country house for some drinks and that evening we all had a farewell dinner in Saint mere English.

June 10th was our day of departure and after cleaning and saying goodbye we were on our way. During our trip back to Holland we were stopped by the gendarmerie for speeding and because Mike is a police-officer in the U.S. a picture was taken with French and American police officers. After that we were on our way and a end to an incredible journey.

This story is being made with taking just small moments during the day. Many more emotional, incredible, extraordinary, moments happened in that week, but if I would write all that down, than I good write a book. A lot of people that jumped that week had wonderful personality’s and loved to jump for the vets.

Jil&Dom are two wonderful persons with the heart on the right place, Dallas is a colourful person and a first class Para, Dennis who’s input with rigging was helpful, Roger&Mel what can I say…two incredible persons and professional jumpmasters, Sir Larry and the General who are a lovely couple, Hubert and parents for helping out with everything, Rob (James) for his positive personality after the crash, 82nd Airborne boy’s who were great and good to have around, Mark, Patrick, 75 year old para (forgot his name) and all the others who I forgot to mention., A special thank you for the aircrew and dropping us safely above Normandy.

Veterans: Jil’s Father, McNiece, Heisler, Pearsley, ext wonderful gentlemen and a honour to have jumped for them and all their buddy’s that didn’t come home.

Last but not least: Mike, Frank, Herve and Steward…….All big farts and I would jump with them any time any place any were.

Frank has not jumped using square canopy before so did the beginners course.

£500 was raised by frank and others for this event, Well done frank

I would like everyone to feel, that they have contributed in everyway possible.

Frank

right frank

The Need for Combat Stress in
today's world

Since the end of World War 2, the vast majority of the British People have known nothing but peace. But it's been a very different story for the men and women of our armed forces. Time and again, they have been in the front line defending Britain's interests. In Brunei, Borneo, Indonesia, Malaya, the Falklands and the Gulf. More recently, they have played a central peace keeping role in the Balkans, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and elsewhere. And closer to home, many thousands have been involved during the thirty year long campaign in Northern Ireland, an operation that has perhaps been the most difficult and dangerous of all.

Each of these conflicts, without exception, has resulted in psychiatric casualties. And for many who are affected, the problems may take years, perhaps decades to surface.

The Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, Combat Stress, exists to serve these men and women. For over 80 years, we have been the only services charity specialising in helping those of all ranks from the Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy suffering from psychological disability as a result of their service.

_________________________________________________________

Jumping at Teuge with The Fallschirmjager Kameradenschaft - Kaiserslautern

, by Steven Blacketer Pathfinder USA Sep.2007

Ed. Steve was unable to make any of our course dates and wanted to jump in Europe so I contacted Gunther and he put him on a course he had running at that time.

The Fallschirmjager Kameradenschaft - Kaiserslautern most generously made a place in their ranks for a Pathfinder USA member during the "Squares course"at the National Paracentrum of the Netherlands at Teuge . FJK is one of our associated groups, functionally "Pathfinder Germany", and is under the direction of Gunther Kiefer. "Gunnie" managed, on this occasion, to handle not only the shepherding of a student class through the squares course, but also brought a sizable contingent of FJK Members with him to participate in the 25km "Airborne March" at Arnhem. Both efforts were addressed, and both were fully accomplished with the high degree of skill and style that characterizes FJK.

The 5 member student class was a very motivated group, and completed the ground section and all five of the qualification jumps in excellent time, which is a notable achievement when one considers the event took place in the middle of the "Dutch Swoops" event at Lake Busloon. Student Jumpers and Expert Swoopers shared the C-208, jumping in wildly varying cloud base. Orchestrating this complex juggling act of matching skills, goals, and weather, was Simon Woerlee. Simon, for those who have not had the pleasure of meeting him, is an exceptional individual, and watching him work leaves one with the impression that his cell phone is a direct line to God. I don't believe even one gap in the clouds went un-jumped.

All five new wearers of the Nederlandische Fallschirmspringer Abziechen found the class to be a fulfillment of an ambition, and a great pleasure. Two of the Students were using this course to "celebrate" the completion of advanced training they had undergone as members of the Berlin Police Force. In addition to the camaraderie and attendant beer drinking at "De Wolk", The Membership of the FJK was treated to an astonishing display of Marksmanship by a young woman of the Dutch Military Police. In an attempt to engage the attention of a particular FJK member, she heaved an apple across the bar, through the milling crowd, and bounced it squarely off of his forehead. This remarkable snap shot had to be seen to be believed ...and not a drop of beer was spilled.

My thanks to the Fallschirmjager Kameradschaft, to Gunni, and the Entire Crew at Teuge for there efforts, friendship, and the warm welcome they have given to us... These guys are terrific, and if you have the opportunity to jump with them, take it!

Steven Blacketer Pathfinder USA

Ed. Teueg has less wind than Texel with more chances of getting the round canopy jumps in. We will be looking towards attending more courses there in future.

The Need for Combat Stress in today's world

The Need for Combat Stress in
today's world