Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison DSO MBE
'Soldiers from the Sky' has written a local chapter on the heritage of Allied Airborne forces that has been missing since the end of World War II.
British, American and Polish Airborne soldiers flew from local airfields on Operations NEPTUNE (D-Day in France), MARKET GARDEN (Netherlands), DOOMSDAY (Norway) and ECLIPSE (Denmark)
Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, former Colonel Commandant of The Parachute Regiment, narrates the video below on South Kesteven's Airborne heritage.
Airborne Heritage in South Kesteven
During World War II, South Kesteven - with its rolling countryside, stone villages and strategically located airfields - became a crucial training area for Allied Airborne Forces, whose troops refined their skills, prepared for combat and embarked on missions that would change the course of history.
Pathfinder aircrew with Pathfinders of the US 101st Airborne Division at North Witham airfield on the evening 5 June 1944. A few hours later, these men were flying to Normandy for D-Day. (US Army)
A Story of Three Nations
This is more than a military chronicle - it’s a tribute to the unity, resilience, and shared sacrifice of the Airborne troops of three nations who changed the course of history from above.
Choose your path
Vito and Jerry Pedone in 1943. (Courtesy Steve Pedone)
Heroes
Easton Walled Gardens
Places to Visit and Places to Stay
Airborne Heritage Trails
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Soldiers from the Sky is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to re-tell the remarkable stories of how Allied Airborne forces of three nations trained for battle in South Kesteven and embarked from local airfields for the key 1944 military milestones of D-Day and Operation MARKET GARDEN.
