The Allies were flying incredibly dangerous reconnaissance missions up and down the French coast for many months preceding Operation Overlord. The risk of getting shot down was high, but on the night Cal and Robert Asher made their jump from a C-53 ‘Skytrooper’ the real danger came from the weather.

“I don’t know what’s taking you fellas behind enemy lines,” said the pilot, “But with the sky as heavy as it is tonight, I just hope we don’t accidentally drop you right in ...