The invasion of Normandy, also known as D-day, was one of the most horrific days in history, but it was also the beginning of the end of a horrific war — World War II. Most of the hundreds of thousands of men, women and children who died on that day remain nameless in the history books. The same is true for the airplanes that led the heroic efforts.The attacks came from several fronts on that fateful day, with ships dropping troops on the beaches of Normandy and airplanes deploying droves of people and ammunition from the skies. Once the war was over, most of those aircraft were destroyed or recommissioned, and their historic significance evaporated like the fuel that burned in their engines. Even some of the most notable airplanes fell into the shadows of the past.
Return to the Front Line
Key Takeaways:
- "That's All, Brother," a C-47 aircraft, was the lead plane that dropped paratroopers during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, marking a pivotal moment in World War II.
- After the war, its historical significance was lost, and the aircraft was eventually slated for a turbine conversion that would have largely destroyed its original D-Day configuration.
- Through a series of serendipitous events, including a historian's discovery and public interest, the Commemorative Air Force initiated its meticulous restoration to its 1944 appearance, funded significantly by a successful Kickstarter campaign.
- The fully restored "That's All, Brother" now serves as a flying museum, scheduled to lead a formation of Dakotas back to Europe for the 75th D-Day anniversary and continue honoring the heroes of D-Day.
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