Behind Enemy Lines: Lt. Col. Bolland’s Daring Jump into Normandy on D-Day

As a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, Lt. Col. Gerhard L. Bolland, a Norwegian American from Madison, Minnesota, played a critical role during D-Day by launching himself behind enemy lines. Bolland, who commenced his military career in 1926, was the regiment executive officer of the 507th Parachute Infantry and commanded his troops during the critical Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944.

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In his memoir, “Among the Firsts”, Bolland shared the tense moments that preceded the leap as paratroopers prepared for the unknown. "The majority of us resolved the high tension by engaging in activities such as smoking, checking our equipment, or quietly singing," he wrote. Bolland's 507th, in contrast to numerous other units, leaped with their rifles fully assembled and securely fastened to their parachutes.

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The combination of anxiety and determination that Bolland experienced as their aircraft approached the drop zone is captured in his reflections. "The initial view of France was characterized by the presence of tracer lines and flak, which were visible in the dark sky." "The red light flashed seven and a half minutes prior to the jump, and we stood up and connected," he recounted.

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Bolland continued to serve, particularly with the Office of Strategic Services, after D-Day, utilizing his Norwegian heritage to assist in the liberation of his ancestral homeland. In 1951, he retired and subsequently wrote about his wartime experiences, which he then gave to his son. His story exemplifies the grit and resilience of those who fought on D-Day.

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