Market Garden Commemorative Jump 2007
All of us got kitted out and separated into the group’s ability, even looking at the experts I could see apprehension on their faces. The first group got up and as we watched the chutes open two collided, if they had been squares this could have been a dangerous incident, with the rounds they just gently separated – this was a great confidence boost for us jump virgins.
 
The time has come and we are getting kitted out.  Not a hint of nerves!?!?
Ian and I were waiting with the other novices and suddenly we were sent up with a group of sky divers – the time had come. We boarded last and the plane taxied onto the runway, the door closed and we started climbing, Ian and I gave each other a nervous look, the altimeter leveled out at 2,400 feet and the door opened. Without flinching Ian slid to the door on the command of the jumpmaster and went, I slid over with my legs hanging into oblivion, felt the tap on the shoulder and followed Ian out of the door.
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1,000…2,000…3,000…Check Canopy!
‘1,000’,’2,000’,’3,000’ – ‘Check canopy’, but it had a twist on the lines above my head, slight panic, a quick bit of kicking out of the twist and it all popped open just like a swing that had been twisted and suddenly opened up. I looked around and I could see the whole island. I searched for the airport below me and turned the ‘chute round. Now it was time to enjoy the ride and admire the view. Getting closer to the airport I turned and ran with the wind to find a nice big bit of grass to land on. I turned into the wind, feet together, hands on lines, elbows in, the ground was getting closer & it’s there, PLF landing & up, ran around the chute gathered it up and SMILED. I walked back to the hangar with the driest mouth desperate for some water.
Ian came over as he landed elsewhere on the airfield and smiles abounded. For Ian and I to learn to jump on the 17th September was a special day, it’s the day back in ’44 that the 6 Para landed on Ginkle Heath.
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Lovely, never seen this before! Found it almost 6yrs after this jump!
I’m the F.A.N.Y.!
Well written articles like yours renews my faith in todâaâ€y„¢s writers. You’ve written info I can lastly agree on and use. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks to Monica I also found this site with pictures and stories….
I was no. 13 – first stick who jumped that year, together with Monica…..it was my first time jumping from a C47 and first time jumping Ginkel Heath….
Now at this moment I jumped the C47 many times with lots of commemoration jumps on several original DZ’s in Holland and Normandy.
This year I will join and jump the Market Garden 2013 event again 🙂
Airborne – all the way
Blue skies,
JumpingMM
And I was no. 4, first stick!
Short, sweet, to the point, FRE-eExactly as information should be!