German paratroopers in front of the fort Eben-Emael, shortly after the fort's surrender. The fort was the key to the defenses of the wide Albert Canal in eastern Belgium. When the fort fell (1940), the entire Belgian defense had been ruined.

Paratroopers in Belgium

German paratroopers moving a 7.5 cm PaK 40 gun into position in muddy terrain, Italy, 23 Feb 1945.

Pull!!!

German paratrooper, apparently killed in the course of his descent, 1941.   The German paratroop/airborne-led attack on Crete in 1941 was a "near run thing", in which the weaknesses of airborne operations as primary means of assault were painfully exposed.  RIP.  JR.