Diving into the Past of WW2: Airborne Army's First Combat Jump in Sicily (1943)

National Archives and Records Administration

ARC Identifier 2569550 / Local Identifier 111-TV-280

In-Depth Exploration: Airborne Deployments

Preserved by Katie Filbert. Department of Defense. Department of the Army. Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. U.S. Army Audiovisual Center. (approx. 1974 - May 15, 1984). Marking the inaugural episode in Series X, this program delves into the captivating narrative surrounding the history and evolution of the airborne Army. "Airborne to Battle," an electrifying and gripping cinematic presentation, underscores the significance of a highly trained airborne Army that can rapidly mobilize across the globe, serving as a potent deterrent to aggression. It underscores the critical principle that mastery of the skies equates to mastery over peace. The journey commences with archival footage of the earliest controlled flights that ushered humanity into the heavens. As the epic tale of airborne forces unfolds, viewers will witness the audacious exploits of the pioneering barnstormers who fearlessly leaped from delicate aircraft to amaze Sunday audiences after World War I. The Signal Corps' camera operators capture a pivotal moment — the inaugural combat jump conducted by U.S. Army personnel in an aerial assault on Sicily in July 1943. Since those formative years, immense strides have been made in the saga of airborne operations, transforming it from a mere concept into a formidable reality. This exceptional cinematic production offers an insightful perspective on the world of paratroopers – the human lightning bolts descending from the sky, always poised to defend our nation at a moment's notice.

#Airborne #WW2 #Paratroopers #MilitaryHistory #WorldWarII