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THE CROSSING
On Wednesday the 5th of June 2019, more than 35 Douglas DC-3/C-47s will take to the skies from Imperial War Museum - Duxford. Just like on June the 5th 1944, all these aircraft will fly in formation across the English Channel for an airborne parachute drop over the original 1944 drop zones.
On Wednesday the 5th of June 2019, more than 35 Douglas DC-3/C-47s will take to the skies from Imperial War Museum - Duxford. Just like on June the 5th 1944, all these aircraft will fly in formation across the English Channel for an airborne parachute drop over the original 1944 drop zones.
Escorted by World War II fighters, they will set course for Caen-Carpiquet Airport in Normandy. The planned flight will pass Colchester, Southend-on-Sea, Maidstone and Eastbourne before heading out over The Channel. If we are lucky, we may just be able to see them from here in Upchurch.
They will then pass Le Havre and then the historic UK Drop Zone at Sannerville, where the skies will be filled with paratroopers jumping round military parachutes, as they descend in honour of the troops who did the same 75 years ago.
The fleet will then descend on Caen-Carpiquet Airport around 16:45pm (FR time) where they will be on display on Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th of June.
D-DAY HISTORY
June the 6th 1944 is one of the most important dates in modern history. It marks the date on which almost 160,000 Allied troops stormed the Normandy beaches to start the liberation of Western-Europe. The assault was preceded by 24,000 troops who parachuted in or came by glider. The most important aircraft to support the airborne assault was formed by over 800 Douglas C-47 Skytrains (Dakotas). These carried the brunt of all men into battle across the English Channel. In June 2019 the D-Day Invasion will see her 75th commemoration.
It will most probably be the very last large commemoration of this historic day.
More information at: www.daksovernormandy.com
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