Airborne Warfare

To every member of the 82nd Airborne Division who dropped as part of the American paratroop landings during World War Two, they breathed a little easier knowing their commander "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin would be jumping with them.

General Gavin's paratroops drop-landed and fought in Sicily, Normandy on D-Day and during the abortive attempt to capture the Rhine bridges during Operation Market-Garden.

He shared the risks of all his men parachuting into enemy territory, often only armed with his GI issue rifle.

His memoirs are an outstanding addition to the literature of the Airborne in World War II.