18,000 paratroopers jumped into Normandy 6 hours before D-Day. Their secret mission in total darkness made the invasion possible. This is the story history forgot.June 5th, 1944, 23:00 hours. While Allied commanders finalized plans for the largest amphibious invasion in history, 18,000 pathfinder paratroopers were already airborne over the English Channel. Their orders: parachute behind enemy lines in complete darkness, mark drop zones with Eureka radio beacons, and survive long enough to guide the main airborne assault at dawn.The pathfinders jumped six hours before the famous D-Day beach landings. No moonlight. No backup. Many landed miles off target in flooded fields and hedgerows. German patrols hunted them within minutes. But the men who survived executed the most critical mission of Operation Overlord - without them, the 82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne, and British 6th Airborne divisions would have dropped into chaos.Armed with leg bags full of explosives, Holophane lamps, and cricket clickers for identification in darkness, these elite soldiers faced impossible odds. Some drowned in marshes weighted down by 100 pounds of equipment. Others were captured before they could activate their beacons. The ones who reached their objectives changed the course of World War II.This documentary reveals the classified pathfinder operations that made D-Day possible. From Sainte-Mere-Eglise to Pegasus Bridge, we uncover the tactical innovations, equipment failures, and raw courage of the forgotten first wave. These men jumped into hell so others could follow.0:00 - Introduction: The Secret First Wave3:45 - Operation Overlord's Hidden Plan8:20 - Who Were the Pathfinders?12:40 - Training for the Impossible Mission18:15 - Equipment and Technology: Eureka Beacons24:30 - June 5th, 1944: The Night Jump Begins31:50 - 82nd Airborne Pathfinders: Sainte-Mère-Église39:20 - 101st Airborne Pathfinders: Utah Beach Drop Zones47:10 - British 6th Airborne: Pegasus Bridge54:35 - Survival Behind Enemy Lines1:02:20 - Mission Success: Guiding the Main Assault1:10:45 - D-Day Dawn: The Invasion Begins1:18:30 - Casualties and Sacrifice1:24:15 - Legacy: The Men History Forgot1:26:40 - Conclusion🌟 Thank you for watching X Docs!Discover more captivating stories from history by subscribing to my channel. Your support helps me continue exploring the legacies of remarkable people, events, and eras.🔔 Don’t forget to hit the bell icon so you’re notified about our latest uploads.💬 Share your thoughts in the comments – we’d love to hear your insights and ideas!👍 Enjoyed this video? Give it a thumbs up to help others discover our content.📢 Spread the word! Share this video with fellow history enthusiasts.Stay curious, and keep exploring the legacies that shape our world!