On June 6, 1944, paratroops of the legendary 82nd Airborne Division jumped into Normandy with the mission of seizing the bridges over the Merderet River, Ste. M�re Eglise, and other surrounding villages. 82nd commander Major General Matthew Ridgway would later state about their exploits: �... thirty-three days of action without relief, without replacements. Every mission accomplished. No ground gained ever relinquished.� This new, large-format book contains many first-person accounts from 82nd veterans, and more than 350 photographs and maps � most published here for the first time � as well as a selection of full-color photographs of World War II era airborne uniforms and equipment.