Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.

Let's get to it.

Chapter 2- Pathfinders

As the clock winds past midnight, the clouds hang low over the English Channel. On the coast, the German defenders are feeling a bit drowsy, thinking nothing special will happen tonight. All of the aircraft they have seen or heard flying overhead are presumed to be just another series of air raids. They have not seen any of the jets of the future, but have seen nothing out of the ordinary at all. They have no idea what is about to happen.

Over the English Channel, the silence is disturbed by a squadron of HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, making their way across the Channel, heading for the Cotentin Peninsula. These Black Hawks are assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, and are all carrying troops from the 101st. These men are to fulfill the role of pathfinders, to pave the way for the paratroopers that will soon be following. Aboard the 20 Black Hawks, 200 men are ready for their duty. The men will be deposited in small teams to set down radar signals and signal lamps to guide the planes that would be carrying out the drops.

General Eisenhower had decided to change the plan to have the first pathfinders dropped in to instead have them deposited by helicopter several days ago. This was to ensure that the pathfinders were dropped into the proper spots and not blown off course.

The Black Hawks move quickly over the Channel, keeping to an altitude of about 50 feet. Several F-14 Tomcats launched from the Kitty Hawk are in the area, and assigned to protect the Black Hawks. In addition, 5 Apache attack helicopters are accompanying them.

The Black Hawks cross the French coast just after midnight, moving quickly across the French countryside and beginning to separate into teams of four,k with one Apache going with each team of four. Each team of four Blackhawks will deposit the pathfinders that will identify one of the five drop zones for the coming paratroopers. The Black Hawks keep to a low altitude, not wanting to get within firing range of any German anti-aircraft weapons, while the Apaches will ensure no German forces interfere with the landings. The Black Hawks needing to fly further speed up slightly.

In the cockpit of the lead Black Hawk, the pilot looks at a map and calculates how much further they have to go. "Three minutes to landing," he calls out to his men in the helicopter.

Finally, at 0015, timers go off in each of the 20 helicopters, and they swing around to move in on their landing spots. In almost complete sync, the Black Hawks touch down. Instantly, the doors open, and the men file out of the helicopters in complete silence.

Once all 200 men are on the ground, the Black Hawks lift off again and begin heading back to England exactly the way they came. The 5 Apaches do one more circle of the landing sites, making sure no German soldiers will interfere with the pathfinders before they turn and head back for England after the Black Hawks.

Now on the ground, the pathfinders divide into further teams. Each landing zone is to be identified by a team of 40 men, which now split up into pairs. Each pair of men will deposit a radio beacon and a lamp to guide the drop planes.

At one of the landing sites, one of the pathfinders, Captain Jack Spaulding, is in command of the 40 men responsible for leading the men assigned to identify this landing zone. Spaulding looks around at the nine other men from the Black Hawk he rode in and says, "Alright, men. The first paratroopers will be landing here in just over an hour. We have that much time to set up the beacons and lamps and ensure the drop zone is secure. Let's move quickly."

The troops separate into pairs, and go their separate ways across the clearing, heading into the trees and heading for their individual target spots.

The pathfinders move quickly, while staying as stealth as they can. With great precision, the troops move quickly to set up their beacons and lamps to guide the planes coming in just over an hour.

Even as the pathfinders are moving to accomplish their mission, the next phase of the assault is already in motion.

(Airspace over the English Channel)

In his cockpit, Lieutenant Colonel Jefferson White calls out over a secure radio, "Alright, boys. We'll be crossing the coastline in 20 seconds. Everyone, start your bombing runs."

Flying serenely over the English Channel are some of the Allies' greatest assets. Thirty two F-117 Nighthawks, each armed with a pair of GBU-10 2,000 pound laser guided bombs. These Nighthawks are meant to carry out the next phase of the operation.

The Nighthawks had been selected to eliminate of operations from the paratroopers' list of targets. Eight Nighthawks would bomb and destroy six different gun batteries near Normandy, including the Merville Gun remaining 24 Nighthawks would bomb and destroy a number of bridges that would allow the Germans to reinforce the beaches, leaving only a few bridges that were to be captured intact.

The Nighthawks, unlike the other aircraft involved in the operation, are flying serenely over the Channel at 6,000 feet, completely unafraid of any retaliation. Their stealth technology renders them completely undetectable to German defenses, and their black coatings will make it completely impossible to spot visually. Even the sounds of their engines will be difficult to place.

As they near the French coast, the Nighthawks begin to separate into pairs, each pair heading for their own targets. As the Nighthawks pass over the coastline, each pilot does a couple test firings of their targeting laser, just to be certain that they work.

In his Nighthawk, Lieutenant Colonel White and his wingman set course for their target, a bridge over the Dives. White calls over the radio to his wingman, "Whiz, let's do this."

"Copy that, Fanboy," his wingman responds.

Flying at a speed of 500 miles per hour, it doesn't take long before White calls out over the radio, "Prepare to drop weapons."

The two F-117s line up on their target, feet apart, and open their bomb bays as they set their laser targeters on the bridge. Then, White calls out over the radio, "Drop on my mark. Three. Two. One. Mark."

Both pilots press the pickle button, and a pair of 2,000 pound Paveways drops from each Nighthawk. Down below them, the German soldiers manning the bridge can hear the faint sounds of the Nighthawks' engines, but have no concern whatsoever.

Like ghosts, the four bombs fall towards the bridge, making no noise whatsoever, each bomb following the targeting laser perfectly. The German troops have no idea of their impending fate. That is, until all four bombs hit the target perfectly, all four of them detonating within the space of one second. The bombs blast apart most of the bridge, dropping it into the river below, as the fireballs and flying shrapnel cut down most of the German troops surroudning the bridge. The few survivors stare in shock at the destroyed bridge, stunned at what just happened. They didn't suspect the Allies had such precision strike capabilities.

Then, in the distance, they can hear more explosions as four more pairs of Nighthawks destroy four more bridges over the Dives. Across the Normandy region, more pairs of Nighthawks destroy seven more bridges. In the space of about three minutes, twelve vital bridges have been bombed into oblivion. At the same time, the remaining Nighthawks have destroyed the specified gun batteries placed to defend the beaches.

Circling over the site of the destroyed bridge, Lieutenant Colonel White listens to the rest of his Nighthawks call in that they have destroyed their targets. Once he has heard all of the call ins, White calls out over the radio, "All Nighthawks, let's head home."

As the Nighthawks turn to head home, the final phase of this air strike begins. General Eisenhower, knowing the ability of his future allies to conduct precision strikes, with little danger, and high amounts of ordnance, had asked that they bomb the fortifications and guns on Pointe do Hoc. Though the Allies still planned to assault it, Eisenhower wanted the threat removed.

Now, four of the brand new F-15E Strike Eagles are bearing down on Pointe du hoc. Each Strike Eagle is armed to the teeth, carrying a dozen GBU-12 500 pound Paveways each. More than enough to lay waste to the position.

As the Strike Eagles approach, one pair first, with the second pair ten seconds behind, they descend to 1,500 feet, ready to drop their weapons. The lead Strike Eagle lases the target with his laser targeting pod, then, at the right moment, calls out, "Bombs away!" In a matter of seconds, the lead pilot and his wingman drop their entire ordnance load. The second pair follow up with their bombs ten seconds later.

In the space of about 12 seconds, four dozen 500 pound bombs crash down on Pointe du Hoc. Multiple guns and gun nests are destroyed, and dozens of Germans are killed. The Strike Eagles circle once to observe their work, then turn back for England.

The first phase of the invasion is now complete. With the destruction of the bridges and gun batteries, things are now ready for the airborne troops to go in.

All the while, in his headquarters, General Eisenhower is being kept up on the progress of the operation. He is greatly pleased to hear that things are moving along so smoothly, and knowing that it is now mere hours before the troops will begin landing on the beaches.

And, I'll end the chapter there. Hope this was a good one.

Next chapter will be up soon. Until then, please leave a review and stay tuned!