Dakotas Over Normandy

Flip · 09-05-2019, 08:57 PM

With so many here having an interest in either aircraft or war history (or both of course) I thought I'd post up this little Gem that is happening early next month.

For those unaware, the 6th June is the 75th Anniversary of D-Day which saw the mobilisation of almost 160,000 troops that stormed the German held Normandy beaches.

However, prior to the beach assault was an air drop of some 24,000 men who either parachuted or came in by glider made possible by 800 Douglas DC3/C47 Skytrain (Dakota) aircraft.

I can't comprehend what that many aircraft must have looked or sounded like flying over Southern England or the feelings of the young men in them but to commemorate that moment in our history there will be events at Duxford IWM from 2nd to 5th June ending in a mass formation of 35+ of these aircraft (complete with around 250 men and women who will parachute onto the beach heads) flying from Duxford to Caen on 5th June (a day earlier than in 1944 as there are also events planned in France where the aircraft will stay until Jun 9th).

As this occasion is unlikely to be marked again coupled with the fact I have only seen more planes than that (and never of the same type) in the air at once a couple of times (for Royal events), I've booked the day off work and plan to ride down to Eastbourne to watch them fly over on their way across the Channel to France.

Anyone who fancies a cuppa on the Cliffs here is the information and times:

https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/daks-over-duxford

https://www.daksovernormandy.com/

http://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-new...ric-route.html

09-05-2019, 08:57 PM	#1
Flip Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Beachtown Bike: M900 Posts: 2,188	Dakotas Over Normandy With so many here having an interest in either aircraft or war history (or both of course) I thought I'd post up this little Gem that is happening early next month. For those unaware, the 6th June is the 75th Anniversary of D-Day which saw the mobilisation of almost 160,000 troops that stormed the German held Normandy beaches. However, prior to the beach assault was an air drop of some 24,000 men who either parachuted or came in by glider made possible by 800 Douglas DC3/C47 Skytrain (Dakota) aircraft. I can't comprehend what that many aircraft must have looked or sounded like flying over Southern England or the feelings of the young men in them but to commemorate that moment in our history there will be events at Duxford IWM from 2nd to 5th June ending in a mass formation of 35+ of these aircraft (complete with around 250 men and women who will parachute onto the beach heads) flying from Duxford to Caen on 5th June (a day earlier than in 1944 as there are also events planned in France where the aircraft will stay until Jun 9th). As this occasion is unlikely to be marked again coupled with the fact I have only seen more planes than that (and never of the same type) in the air at once a couple of times (for Royal events), I've booked the day off work and plan to ride down to Eastbourne to watch them fly over on their way across the Channel to France. Anyone who fancies a cuppa on the Cliffs here is the information and times: https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/daks-over-duxford https://www.daksovernormandy.com/ http://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-new...ric-route.html __________________ You're perfect, yes, it's true- But without me you're only you!