Bruno
9th February 2008, 11:31
Hello,
I've received this email from Lieutenant-Colonel Alan Edwards (Ex-Royal Engineers and paratrooper):
This is an enquiry and an invitation.
At the Merville Battery Museum in Normandy on Saturday June 7th there is to be the inauguration of a WW2 C47 Dakota as an exhibit. This aircraft, 45-15073, has an entirely American WW2 history having served with the 9th USAAF (based in the UK) and never served in the RAF. Its story is impressive; on 5/6th June 1944 it delivered paratroops of the 101st Airborne Division to the area of St Mere Eglise. It took part in resupply missions, including towing a Waco glider to the same area, during the following days. Thereafter it took part in Op Dragoon, Op Market, Op Repulse and Op Varsity. After many years in civil use it was eventually sold to the Jugoslav Air Force, where it sat in Butmir Camp near Sarajevo from 1993. More details of the aircraft can be found on the following link http://www.snafu-special.com/.
On 7th June there will also be a fly-past by another C47 and a para drop.
I wonder if you are in touch with any WW2 C47 aircrew from 38 Gp or 46 Gp, particularly if they took part in operations in Normandy?
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Unfortunately, Dakota/C47 wasn't a 38 Group aircraft so I've only very few contacts with veterans who flew in this aircraft.
Please, if you know some veterans who flew in Dakota, contact me on this board or at this email: raf38groupATgmail.com (replace AT with @)
For info:
24, 48, 271, 233, 512 and 575 Squadrons, at least, flew Dakotas on D-DAY operations.
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Bruno LECAPLAIN
I've received this email from Lieutenant-Colonel Alan Edwards (Ex-Royal Engineers and paratrooper):
This is an enquiry and an invitation.
At the Merville Battery Museum in Normandy on Saturday June 7th there is to be the inauguration of a WW2 C47 Dakota as an exhibit. This aircraft, 45-15073, has an entirely American WW2 history having served with the 9th USAAF (based in the UK) and never served in the RAF. Its story is impressive; on 5/6th June 1944 it delivered paratroops of the 101st Airborne Division to the area of St Mere Eglise. It took part in resupply missions, including towing a Waco glider to the same area, during the following days. Thereafter it took part in Op Dragoon, Op Market, Op Repulse and Op Varsity. After many years in civil use it was eventually sold to the Jugoslav Air Force, where it sat in Butmir Camp near Sarajevo from 1993. More details of the aircraft can be found on the following link http://www.snafu-special.com/.
On 7th June there will also be a fly-past by another C47 and a para drop.
I wonder if you are in touch with any WW2 C47 aircrew from 38 Gp or 46 Gp, particularly if they took part in operations in Normandy?
------------------
Unfortunately, Dakota/C47 wasn't a 38 Group aircraft so I've only very few contacts with veterans who flew in this aircraft.
Please, if you know some veterans who flew in Dakota, contact me on this board or at this email: raf38groupATgmail.com (replace AT with @)
For info:
24, 48, 271, 233, 512 and 575 Squadrons, at least, flew Dakotas on D-DAY operations.
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Bruno LECAPLAIN