D-Day 70th Anniversary Act of Remembrance at Cambridge American Cemetery -- #USArmy #Paratroopers from the American 82nd Airborne Divisionvisited their British counterparts at 16 Air Assault Brigade British Army in the lead up to the 70th anniversary of the #Normandy #DDay landings. The American paratroopers, based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, specialise in airborne operations and have enjoyed a close working relationship with British Airborne Forces since the Second World War. Links between the two #airborne units are being revitalised as both countries’ armies prepare to face the next operational challenges after the drawdown from Afghanistan. As part of the visit, an Act of Remembrance at the Cambridge American Cemetery honoured American airborne troops killed in #WorldWarII, with wreathes laid by both Major General John Nicholson Jr., Commanding General of the US 82nd Airborne Division, and Brigadier Nick Borton DSO MBE, Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade. The cemetery is the only American Second World War cemetery in the United Kingdom. More than 3,800 service personnel are buried there, with a memorial wall honouring a further 5,127 whose bodies were never recovered. The ceremony had a particular focus on those killed on D-Day ahead of 70th anniversary commemorations. Two American airborne divisions – the 82nd and 101st - jumped in with the British 6th Airborne Division to Normandy to secure transport routes and attack enemy positions ahead of the invasion fleet’s arrival. Events in Normandy this week will include memorial services at key locations and a parachute jump by 300 British, American, Canadian and French soldiers onto a drop zone used on D-Day. Maj Gen Nicholson said: “Today is a special occasion for us to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the cause of freedom 70 years ago, and I am very grateful to be here with our comrades from 16 Air Assault Brigade to begin our D Day commemorations.” Brigadier Borton said: “Throughout their history, British and American airborne forces have had very close ties, sharing the same role and ethos and also a lot of our operational history. Normandy was a key proving ground for both of our airborne forces and it is important that we celebrate our predecessors’ achievements and honour those who gave their lives. Looking to the future, we are engaged in developing closer ties with the 82nd Airborne Division as we both work to the challenge of serving as our respective armies’ rapid reaction forces.” Photo: Cpl Andy Reddy RLC
Posted on: Mon, 02 Jun 2014 20:49:20 +0000
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