The D-Day Squadron undertook an 80th-anniversary "Legacy Tour" in June 2024, flying historic C-47 Skytrains (including "That's All, Brother," the actual lead plane from 1944) across the Atlantic to Normandy.
This commemoration recreated aspects of the D-Day invasion, such as flying over the historic beaches and conducting paratrooper drops, which proved to be a deeply personal and "spiritual experience" for many participants, especially those with family connections to D-Day veterans.
The tour aimed to honor the legacy of the Allied forces and the critical role of the C-47 in WWII, highlighting the importance of preserving this history and inspiring future generations of warbird enthusiasts.
At 00:52 on June 6, 1944, the first phase of Operation Overlord began.
On the ground, occupied France awaited the Allied airborne pathfinders preparing to jump. The transport aircraft, down low and vulnerable, were tasked with flying in unescorted and returning to England to repeat the mission. This operation was critical, years in the making, and it could not fail.
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Maria Morrison is a writer, pilot, and student at at Harvard Law School. A writer since age 12, she continues to publish as a freelance aviation journalist, and is the editor of the DC-3 Society newsletter.
