Alpine Miniatures 16032 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagles"

The first attempts to use airborne units took place in the United States military in the early 1930s, but were unsuccessful. Only the outbreak of World War II in Europe accelerated the development of this formation in the United States, and the first parachute unit in the history of the American army was one of the platoons of the 29th Infantry Regiment, which in 1940 received training appropriate. One of the most important figures in the development of American airborne units was General William C. Lee, also known as the father of this formation. During World War II, two airborne divisions were formed: the 82nd ("All American") and the 101st ("Screaming Eagle"). American troops of this type played a very important role in the early days of the operation in Normandy (June 1944), but also fought later as part of Operation Market-Garden (1944) or Varsity (1945).

The 101st Airborne Division is an American tactical union that bears the unofficial name of the Screaming Eagles. The unit was formed in August 1942 and, along with the 82nd Airborne Division, was the backbone of this type of troops during World War II. From the beginning it was also formed according to the positions planned for the parachute troops. The first commander of the unit was General William C. Lee, but shortly before the division's entry into action he suffered a heart attack, so its commander during World War II was General Maxwell Taylor, an officer who had already served as a paratrooper in the course of operations. in Sicily in 1943. The 101st Airborne Division received its baptism of fire during Operation Overlord and soon after participated in Operation Market-Garden. However, the division's achievements in the defense of the city of Bastogne in December 1944 during the German counteroffensive in the Ardennes, when despite a shortage of weapons, ammunition, winter equipment and part-time personnel, the division He managed to stay in the city and wait for the relief of the American 3, he went down in history. An army led by General Patton. It is worth adding that in 1945 the division entered Germany, but did not participate in any active combat. After 1945, the division participated in combat operations, including in the Vietnam War (1964/1965-1975) or during the First Gulf War (1990-1991). The 101st Airborne Division is considered one of the most famous tactical units in the US military.