Garand Picture of the Day #211

[Snafu]

American paratroopers, among the first to make successful landings on the continent, hold a Nazi flag captured in village assault. Invasion of France. 8 June 1944. (6/8/1944)
[IMGW]http://images.wwiiarchives.net/images/photos/111-SC-189920A.jpg[/IMGW]

An American paratrooper patrol moves cautiously through a French churchyard taking cover from a stone wall. France. 8 June 1944
[IMGW]http://images.wwiiarchives.net/images/photos/111-SC-189929.jpg[/IMGW]

Information

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[frankderrico]

Wow, look at that machete the lefty is holding in the first pic.....Frank

[JJK]

Great to see this picture on a forum. The shorter man, second from the right standing in the back row is my father, Earl Hickman, Service Company 508 PIR.
Soldier in the right front with insignia whited out is a 502 PIR 101 AB. This is a bunch of troopers that formed up from the scattered drop early morning 6-6-1944
Some of these men are from the 507 PIR which was part of the 82 AB for the Normany jump. The picture was taken in St. Macrof This picture also hangs in the D-Day Museum as you leave the Air Borne section although, it is blown up to several feet in size.

The flag came from a small motorcade that these troopers ambushed near St. Savior Vitcomte as it was leaving the area. It was comprised of two motorcycles and a kubel wagon full of paperwork from the German 91 AB that was occupying this part of France. The Germans 91 AB commander, General Faley, was killed earlier in the morning by Malcom Brannen of the 1st Btn. 508

The second picture is also of 508 men near St Marcrof. The one facing the camera is Captain Don Johnson Service Company commander.

My father is still with us and 88 years old. I will tell him he made the forum.

Thanks for posting these pictures.

[Dan Shapiro]

JJK; relay our Thanks! to your Dad!

[snakehunter]

God Bless your father, one of the greatest generation. May he stay with us for many, many years. We're losing them far too rapidly.

[Buckeye Shooter]

What rifle is the fellow on the right carrying. 2nd pic.

[30-06_mike]

JJK,

After looking at the second image further I realized the soldier you identified as Captain Don Johnson is wearing Corporal or Sergent stripes on his right sleeve.

[paul1440]

JJK,

After looking at the second image further I realized the soldier you identified as Captain Don Johnson is wearing Corporal or Sergent stripes on his right sleeve.

Tech corporal, too.

[M1 Rifleman]

JJK-

It is great to have some personal history to tie in with the picture!! Thank you and thank your father for his service to our Country.