I'm talking how many chutes didn't open, and hopefully someone might also be able to tell me how often men were killed/seriously injured when they did land (even with open chute)? We're watching "A Bridge too Far" and the question came up. Thanks!
2007-12-16 14:45:34 · 3 answers · asked by trpt_sings 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
US 82nd AB Division 1942-45 1,503 killed by enemy action, 1,096 killed by accidents, 765 killed by plane crashes, 32 non combat related illnesses 27 natural causes, 14 suicides, 8 unknown
Incomplete records for non functioning parachutes in the Normandy Campaign: estimated 320 personnel killed by AA fire, 62 parachutes failed to deploy
2007-12-16 15:27:12 · answer #1 · answered by Johnny Guano 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure, but when I was at Ft Bragg, I was able to talk to Chief Ward (I think that was his name). He was one of the last surviving members of the original 1941 test platoon. He said they had at least one chute fail every jump, reserves worked though. While I was jumping, I think we had about 5 fatalities in three years.
2007-12-17 00:42:34 · answer #2 · answered by paramick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can give you one statistic about glider landings. In the invasion of Sicily there were 161 gliders full of troops sent onto the island. Only 29 landed without any wounded or dead.
2007-12-17 00:46:01 · answer #3 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋