The tough-as-nails paratroopers of the British Airborne (along with their American paratrooper allies) spearheaded the landings in Normandy by landing behind German lines and seizing key objectives, then fighting off counter-attacks until the lads coming off the beach could relieve them. Though only lightly equipped, these fearless warriors were highly trained and ready for the task at hand. Their officers relied on their initiative as the fluid nature of an airborne operation often threw up the unexpected or unknown.