Republican veterans prepare for 80th anniversary of D-Day by jumping out of planes: Eight lawmakers emerge unscathed with slim Republican majority still intact during test parachute dive ahead of June celebrations in Normandy

Politics
By William

A group of Republican House veterans are preparing for the 80th anniversary of D-Day by jumping out of original World War II C-47 transport planes.

The eight lawmakers emerged unscathed after the practice exercise in Florida last weekend, with the Republican Party’s narrow majority of just one vote remaining intact.

Former Green Beret Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., told DailyMail.com that there were “no incidents” during the tense practice.

“It is gratifying to know that we have such wonderful veteran members who are willing to jump out of a plane with me to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day and honor our World War II veterans,” Waltz said.

“This will be one of the last major anniversaries featuring World War II veterans, so we want to make sure this celebration is special. We had no incidents during our training and we are looking forward to the real jump in June!’

DailyMail.com found that while the test was successful, some Republicans had to endure tougher landings than others.

The eight lawmakers emerged unscathed after the practice exercise in Florida last weekend, with the Republican Party’s slim one-vote majority remaining intact

Former Green Beret Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., told DailyMail.com that there were

Former Green Beret Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., told DailyMail.com that there were “no incidents” during the tense workout

The practice dive takes place ahead of a huge congressional delegation to Normandy, France, in early June

The practice dive takes place ahead of a huge congressional delegation to Normandy, France, in early June

Army veteran Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, apparently hit the ground between two planes during the test jump, but he’s just getting his military training legs back under him.

Reps. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, Rich McCormick, R-Ga., Mark Green, R-Tenn., and Cory Mills, R-Fla., joined Issa and Waltz on the jump.

The practice dive precedes a massive congressional delegation to Normandy, France, in early June to mark the 80th anniversary of the largest sea invasion in history.

The famous D-Day landings on June 6, 1944 were a triumph for Allied forces in World War II and are one of the best-remembered military operations of the conflict after five years of conflict with Adolf Hitler’s Germany and the Axis powers.

Lawmakers will jump again – this time over the beautiful beaches of Normandy in the presence of their colleagues and world leaders, to mark 80 years since the historic landing.

A ninth Republican — former Navy SEAL Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas — made a separate preparatory jump on a Virginia beach this weekend.

“I’m excited to jump into Normandy with some of my fellow vets on June 6 to honor the Greatest Generation on the 80th anniversary of D-Day,” he told DailyMail.com.

He went on to say that the jump is a “great opportunity” to convey the message that “we have not forgotten the sacrifices they made for our freedoms.”

In total, the 1944 invasion involved 153,110 troops, supported by 10,440 aircraft – including C-47 transport aircraft – and 6,330 ships, with paratroopers landing behind enemy lines prior to the main attack.

In total, the 1944 invasion involved 153,110 troops, supported by 10,440 aircraft – including C-47 transport aircraft – and 6,330 ships, with paratroopers landing behind enemy lines prior to the main attack.

The forces were roughly divided between five beaches: Gold and Sword were attacked by British forces, Juno by Canadian and Omaha and Utah by the US.

The forces were roughly divided between five beaches: Gold and Sword were attacked by British forces, Juno by Canadian and Omaha and Utah by the US.

The sacrifices of the estimated 4,000-9,000 troops killed during the operation are honored each year on June 6

The sacrifices of the estimated 4,000-9,000 troops killed during the operation are honored each year on June 6

“My fellow vets are getting ready to jump over Normandy for the upcoming 80th anniversary of D-Day from original C-47 transport planes,” Waltz posted on Instagram.

“Thank you Round Canopy Parachute Team for the great refresher training today in Palatka, FL!” Waltz wrote on Sunday.

In total, the 1944 invasion involved 153,110 troops, supported by 10,440 aircraft and 6,330 ships, with paratroopers landing behind enemy lines before the main attack.

The forces were roughly divided between five beaches: Gold and Sword were attacked by British forces, Juno by Canadian and Omaha and Utah by the US.

After less than a week, all five beaches were secured and more troops, vehicles and equipment were delivered to the Allies.

Every year, ceremonies are held across the region – and worldwide – to pay tribute to the achievements of those who fought.

The sacrifices of the estimated 4,000-9,000 troops killed during the operation are honored.

The forces were roughly divided between five beaches: Gold and Sword were attacked by British forces, Juno by Canadian and Omaha and Utah by the US.

The forces were roughly divided between five beaches: Gold and Sword were attacked by British forces, Juno by Canadian and Omaha and Utah by the US.

D-Day timeline: The largest amphibious invasion in military history as it occurred

  • January 1944: General Dwight Eisenhower is appointed commander of Operation Overlord.
  • February–May: A series of deception operations are carried out to take Germany out of sight.
  • June 4: Due to bad weather, the operation will be postponed from June 5.
  • 5 June: Better weather ensures that General Eisenhower gives the green light for the operation that will take place the next day.
  • 10 p.m.: Operation Neptune, the naval forces leave the English coast to cross the Channel.
  • June the 6th 00:05: Coastal barriers in France are bombed.
  • 00:20: Airborne troops attack bridges in the coastal town of Benouville in just 15 minutes.
  • 2:30 am: Allied fleets arrive and anchor off the French coast.
  • 4:30 a.m.: U.S. forces liberate St. Mere Eglise, inland from Utah beach.
  • 05:00: British paratroopers destroy weapons at Merville Battery to protect those due to land on Sword Beach.
Allied soldiers, tanks and ships take part in the D-Day landings on Gold Beach

Allied soldiers, tanks and ships take part in the D-Day landings on Gold Beach

  • 5:30 am: Warships bombard the coastline, while landing craft move to shore.
  • 06:00: German coastal defenses are bombed.
  • 6:30 AM: American forces begin landing on Omaha Beach and face an enemy attack that keeps them trapped until 11:00 AM.
  • 6:30 a.m.: U.S. troops begin landing on Utah Beach.
  • 07:25: British lands on Gold and Sword Beaches.
  • 07:35: Canadians land on Juno Beach.
  • 9 a.m.: General Eisenhower authorizes the announcement that the invasion has begun.
  • 09:45: Enemy forces cleared from Utah Beach.
Members of an American landing unit help their comrades land during the Normandy invasion near St Mere Eglise

Members of an American landing unit help their comrades land during the Normandy invasion near St Mere Eglise

  • 12:00: Winston Churchill addresses the House of Commons about the landings, saying: ‘So far the commanders involved report that everything is going according to plan. And what a plan!’
  • 1:30 p.m.: Troops on Omaha Beach begin securing the area. Allied forces begin bombarding the city of Caen.
  • 2:30 PM: The Nazi 21st Panzer Division launches a counterattack towards the coast.
  • 6:00 PM: The Canadian North Nova Scotia Highlanders reach 5 km inland. Allied tanks cross the Caen-Bayeux railway line, 15 km inland.
  • 7:00 PM: Command post set up on Omaha Beach.
  • 9 p.m.: King George VI says on the radio that it is a “fight to achieve final victory for the good cause.”
  • Midnight: All beaches are secured.

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