562 paratroopers set out

"Have you all handed in your letters?" a military officer shouted to the soldiers seated in two rows inside the cramped cabin of the jostling plane, his hand resting on the bulky reserve parachute strapped to his chest.

Due to poor soundproofing, they could clearly hear the roar of the airplane's engines on the wings. They could see the clouds streaming by near the wing and the deep blue sky above.

Streaming through the round portholes, the sunlight illuminated the crowded cabin. Each person could see the faces of their comrades, and on every face were expressions of both nervousness and excitement.

This was their first mission, so they were very nervous. It was also their first mission, so they were excited.

Compared to regular soldiers, each one of them could be said to be armed to the teeth. Each soldier was equipped with a Thompson Submachine Gun, with at least seven magazines carrying over 210 rounds of ammunition.