What a film!
We’ve already spoken at length about the brilliance of Saving Private Ryan and as hard as it is to imagine, it has nearly been 20 years since we first saw the beaches of Wexford playeing host to that iconic recreation of the Normandy landings.
Considered to be one of – if not THE – greatest war film of all time, Spielberg’s epic won five Oscars including the Best Director nod and as may of you will know, the story was inspired by true life events.
The plot for the film reads as such: “Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.”
At the very start of the wonderful film, we see an elderly version of James Ryan (Matt Damon’s character) as he visits the graves of his former band of brothers. What unfolds is his account of D-Day, the campaign in France and one of the most memorable films in decades.
While many of us are familiar with the film, the U.S. Army have shared the real life story that inspired Spielberg’s epic and it’s absolutely fascinating.
Take a look.
Check out this thread from the @82ndABNDiv about Robert Niland, an original 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment Paratrooper, whose story is the inspiration of "Saving Private Ryan." https://t.co/CWptUPIO0f
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) June 22, 2018
Here’s the thread in full.
2/20: It's a story that served as the inspiration for the WWII epic "Saving Private Ryan".
You surely know the movie, but let's quickly recap the plot (in the next tweet). pic.twitter.com/ay2UbOD04f
— All American Division (@82ndABNDiv) June 22, 2018
4/20: The REAL story starts in post-WWI Tonawanda, NY, a small town north of Buffalo where Michael & Augusta Niland raised 4 boys. Oldest to youngest: Edward, Preston, Robert, & Frederick (“Fritz”). Tonawanda was devastated by the Great Depression during their youth. pic.twitter.com/DpXYH7nQzU
— All American Division (@82ndABNDiv) June 22, 2018
6/20: March 31, 1941: The Tonawanda draft board goes to the Niland home to inform the family that Preston, the 2nd oldest, has been drafted into the Army.
In 1942 Preston is selected to go to Officer Candidate School.
In 1943 he is commissioned as a 2nd Lt. pic.twitter.com/BiTJs8a86C
— All American Division (@82ndABNDiv) June 22, 2018
8/20: 20 days later, Frederick "Fritz" Niland, the youngest, volunteers for the Army (he is the only one not drafted).
In 1943, Fritz volunteers to serve in a new, exciting role: as an airborne Paratrooper. He is assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. pic.twitter.com/5wi5iFNnOU
— All American Division (@82ndABNDiv) June 22, 2018
10/20: Back to Robert. In the summer of '42, he learns of a new force of airborne Paratroopers and volunteers. He is assigned to the 505th PIR, a new unit led by a charismatic leader named Jim Gavin.
The next year the 505th becomes part of the 82nd Airborne Division. pic.twitter.com/aHq0sv723h
— All American Division (@82ndABNDiv) June 22, 2018
12/20: D Day, 1944. Unbeknownst to one another, 3 of the 4 Niland brothers converge on Normandy.
~ 2AM: Robert parachutes in w/ D Co, 505th, 82nd, landing South of Amfreville.
~ 3AM: Fritz parachutes in w/ H Co, 501st, 101st
~ 6:30 AM: Preston lands on Utah beach w/ 4th INF Div pic.twitter.com/0EXxF3CSrO— All American Division (@82ndABNDiv) June 22, 2018
14/20: The next day, Preston's battalion begins an attack against the German coastal batteries at Crisbecq. He is killed in the fighting by a German sniper. pic.twitter.com/l3CfFkh5pg
— All American Division (@82ndABNDiv) June 22, 2018
16/20: On June 9th, (b/f Father Sampson can find him) Fritz goes to the 82nd Airborne's area in search of his brother. He is told of his Robert's death. ~ 3 hours later, Father Sampson finds Robert and informs him that he is to return home. Robert returns home 3 days later. pic.twitter.com/X32hdYugQ7
— All American Division (@82ndABNDiv) June 22, 2018
18/20: Robert & Preston are buried near each other at the Normandy American Cemetery in France. pic.twitter.com/LTczhFVyVd
— All American Division (@82ndABNDiv) June 22, 2018
20/20: The story of the Niland brothers is another remarkable chapter in our World War II history. The story was significantly altered for "Saving Private Ryan," but the basic elements remain unchanged. Thanks for following along with us. We'll now take any questions. pic.twitter.com/qqJrtG4nWl
— All American Division (@82ndABNDiv) June 22, 2018
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