In this episode of Why Wars Happened, bestselling author James Donovan shares the incredible story of the 82nd Airborne Division on D-Day, based on his book Nothing but Courage.
👉 What you’ll discover:
🌙 The chaotic night jump into Nazi-occupied Normandy
🌉 How paratroopers fought to seize bridges like La Fière
⚔️ High stakes, brutal fighting & extraordinary acts of courage
📝 Eisenhower’s contingency letter if D-Day failed
👨✈️ Leadership of generals Ridgeway & Gavin
🩸 Heavy casualties, grit, and the refusal to quit
This is the untold story of American paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines who risked everything to make D-Day a success.
⏱ Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to Why Wars Happened
01:08 – The 82nd Airborne’s D-Day mission
03:34 – Strategic importance of bridges
05:53 – Challenges & obstacles
09:55 – The chaotic night jump
14:43 – Eisenhower’s contingency letter
19:26 – Battle of the Bulge connections
20:17 – Casualties & courage
22:37 – Leadership of Ridgeway & Gavin
26:59 – Training & initiative
31:59 – Lafayette Bridge assault
35:15 – Legacy & remembrance
37:03 – Donovan’s research & connection
#DDay #82ndAirborne #WorldWarII #Paratroopers #Normandy #MilitaryHistory #WhyWarsHappened
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