One Hundred Years Fly By

13 Mar 2012

This month celebrates one hundred years since the first parachute jump from a plane. On March 1^st, 1912, Captain Albert Berry jumped from a powered aircraft and opened a parachute, successfully landing at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. This event would dramatically change military tactics as it showed that airborne soldiers could be dropped behind enemy lines without either aircraft or jumper being harmed.

On July 1^st 1942, Easy Company, the 506^thParachute Infantry Regiment, was set up by Colonel Robert F. Sink in Camp Toccoa, Georgia. Notable for their heroism and endurance, the men were an integral part of the D-Day landings, managing to seize high ground despite being dropped out of position.

The regiment have received distinction from the British Army and have been immortalised in the acclaimed series, Band of Brothers. Genesis limited edition, EASY COMPANY, provides a first hand account of the 506^th PIR and their role in the Second World War. Surviving company veterans have supplied a 20,000-word original text and have signed the book alongside Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Damian Lewis. The hand-bound volume also contains rare photographs and memorabilia. If you would like to find out more, click here.