Normandy Invasion 65th anniversary Operation Tonga 2010 Part 3

With the help of Cees and Dennis again I was soon fitted and ready, kit loaded on the coach and I was off again. What an adventure this was turning out to be.
 
  This time we had plenty of time at the airport for photos with the Dakota and I took a chance filming the jump by tucking a small vidcam in my harness. Today I was the last man of stick three so it was great to see the first two stick go. Then it was our turn again. Another great jump was only spoiled by me landing in the rape field which took me about 20 min's to escape from, with the help of one of Paddy Rehills lads.
 

The Dakota came round again and Ian Marshall jumped in, flying the Pegasus flag and once he had landed the Dakota came round on one of the lowest fly pasts I have ever seen. An awsome piece of flying, followed by another at near normal fly past height. The crowds and the veterans were once more happy with what they had seen. A short sharp debrief soon followed and it was back to the digs for more packing, and then a sit down meal provided by the mayor.
 

As the evening wore on the jumpers finished packing and started to drift off home with big smiles and happy memories. Again we ended up at Pegasus bridge for drinks and war stories before heading back to get our heads down.
 
  Tuesday saw the final departures and then there was just Myself, Roy, Ian, Lance and Eric left. We had a couple more duties to perform, placing crosses at the cemetery and at the memorial to two 8 Para soldiers murdered by the Germans after being captured.

We said our goodbyes to Eric, who had made this drop possible with a great deal of hard work and set off for home, stopping at Bruneval for a look around before heading to Dieppe and the ferry.
Personally, it hasn't yet sunk in what we achieved over the whole weekend, even after getting home and calling my parents, a strange experience discussing the prop blast of a Dakota with my Dad, looking at the photos, watching the videos. It was a hell of an honour to jump onto DZ K, something I am proud we at Pathfinder did for the veterans. Without their efforts and sacrifices we wouldn't have the freedom or choice to do what we do.
 
  My thanks go to Roy, Lance and Ian for what they do with Pathfinder. To Secander for the incredible help he gave me. To Eric for his supreme efforts making this drop happen and to all the jumpers at DZ K in Sannerville for your help and friendship and fun. I hope to see you all at Arnhem.
Doug Moodie
Pathfinder UK
 

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