The Us 1st Airborne dropped their paratroops around the area of UTAH beach and one stick landed on and around the town of St. Mere Eglise. This was the first French village to be liberated on the night of 5/6th June 1944. The Germans entered on the 18th of June 1940 and hoisted the Swastika. This small town has become well known because of the story of one paratrooper, John Steel. Steel, of 505 PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment) 82 Airborne Division, whose chute was caught on the church spire, hung there for 2 hours with the battle raging on around him. Eventually he was cut down and taken prisoner by the Germans. This is a photo of the monument on the church at the centre of town.
This picture was taken by a buddy of mine during his recent visit. Mr K Graham
