‘Woohoo!’ Aussie makes D-day jump

Private Brendan Mew, from Terrigal NSW, is believed to be the only Australian soldier involved in the mass parachute drop recereation of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Courtesy Brendan Mew

AS he hooked up his static line, checked his kit a final time and looked out to the green-shoot wheat belt 800ft below, Private Brendan Mew imagined for a moment how it was 70 years ago.

Back in June 1944 a German 88mm Flak artillery gun was lighting up the sky over the Drop Zone codenamed "N" outside the Normandy village of Ranville, panicked German troops on the ground were mobilising to catch the paratroopers as they landed and it was dark, noisy and there was a squalling rain.

In contrast on a warm blue-sky day over the same drop zone the only thing to greet the 21-year-old Private Mew — believed to be the only Australian involved in the spectacular mass recreation parachute drop — was wild claps and cheers from thousands in the appreciative crowd lining the fields and laneways below.

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An historic moment .. Private Brendan Mew, 21, from Terrigal, on the NSW Central Coast. He's believed to be the only Australian soldier involved in mass parachute drop recreation of D-day landings over Ranville in Normandy. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: News Corp Australia

More than 156,000 troops waded or parachuted onto French soil on June 6 1944 and thousands marshaled at vantage points to watch 300 parachutists from Britain, France, America and Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast - who had been backpacking in Europe before on a whim two years ago signed up to joining the British Army — recreate the invasion.

"It was just mega," airborne medic Private Mew, from the 16 Medical Regiment, said as he walked back from the parachute drop, clutching his helmet and backpack.

"Just looking around and seeing all the other parachutes coming down, it was just amazing. It was just an awesome feeling and you do imagine what was going through the minds of those who did that jump 70 years ago you know. Very different, a bit the same."

Mid-air ... after he parachuted out of the plane for D-day commemorations. Source: Supplied

The sensation lasted only 30 seconds before Private Mew landed with a thud, the shoot opening within three seconds after he left the Hercules, but the memory will last a lifetime. Prince Charles stood in the middle of the fields the watched and greeted some of the men as they came in before he attended more formal wreath laying ceremonies with Camilla.

Overhead there were also spitfires and mustangs, old Dakota DC3s while on the water on the river L'Orne were original landing crafts but this time with children on deck rather than soldiers.

The Queen arrived in France for a series of formal D-day events as did US President Obama who last night dined with his French counterpart Francois Hollande who in turned also met with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Royals, top brass and some 20 world leaders, will attend the main D-day ceremony later today with the diplomatic wrangling over the Ukraine crisis acting as an awkward undercurrent to proceedings.

Mission accomplished ... Private Brendan Mew, 21, from Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast, from the British Army 16 Medical Regiment. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: News Corp Australia

But that aside, the villages and beaches across Normandy came alive to men and women, mostly British and American, singing old war songs cheered enthusiastically by the French. The streets were choked with revellers, many who came in original WWII jeeps and motorcycles. The streets were also awash with bunting of the flags of the Allies including Australia. More than 650 servicemen, most aged in their 80s and 90s, have travelled to northern France for ceremonies including seven Australian airmen who yesterday received France's highest honour the Legion of Honour from the grateful nation.

But it was a day for the public to also honour all those who fought in what the greatest air and amphibious assault in history.

Ruth Bell, 65, from Sydney said her father Philip Bell as a 21-year-old flew the Dakota's on D-day dropping the men from the British 6th Airborne division.

Onlookers watch ... Ruth Bell from Sydney, watching the mass parachute drop recreation of D-day landings over Ranville in Normandy. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: News Corp Australia

She said he didn't talk about the war but then just before he died in the mid 1990s he spoke of his role and wrote a journal.

"I thought it would be good to come for the 70th anniversary because there would be no more (veterans) at the 80th and I wanted to see where he was," the retired health worker said proudly wearing his medal.

NSW Police Blue Mountains highway patrolman Sgt Adam Lunney, 40, is studying military history and wanted to pay his respects to the fallen.

"It's good to show the veterans that you care, that you appreciate what they've done and that not all of them got to go home," he said.

Spectacular sight ... Ruth Bell from Sydney with friends Gaie Willis, Christine and Peter Blunden watching the mass parachute drop recreation of D-day landings over Ranville in Normandy. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: News Corp Australia

Retired Adelaide Warrant Officer Nick McNulty, a veteran of Vietnam and various other attachments including with NATO, said it was great so many schoolchildren had come out to take part and enjoy the day.

"It's about never forgetting what so many from countries like Australia did here," he said.

Australia had 3000 mostly airmen take part in D-day's Operation Overlord but also some sailors and one Australian actor who was tasked with impersonating General Montgomery in Algiers so as spies would report the officer there and not preparing for the invasion.

ends

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