Daks - A Year On, Part Two

Due to an unrelated event in Portsmouth, which saw world leaders and royalty take part in their own D-Day event, French President Emmanuel Macron was wanting to return to France to see the Daks, and thus, this delayed the launch from Duxford by a couple of hours. At Duxford, the crews were being prepared for this historic moment which would be the culmination of months of work, organisation, and thousands of miles of travel: 

“After the long delay to due traffic movements in France, the day was brought to a climax with the anticipated mass take-off. A particularly moving moment came when all the paratroopers marched past the crowd, and the crowd both clapped and shed a tear or two as well. This, for me, was really what the event was about, and it brought home a sense of what it must have been (like) at airfields in June 1944. Most of the Dakotas took off for France shortly after, which saw each aircraft taking parachute teams to the drop-zone in Normandy, whilst some aircraft formed up to make a (final) pass over Duxford. It felt like it was over as quickly as it began. Looking back, a year later, I feel fortunate to have been there – will never forget the moment that I saw Duxford full of Dakotas.” – Martin Stitchener. 

On the airside of Duxford, the ground crew had spent many hours with these crews, and for many, had become good friends. Andy O’Dell, ground crew at Daks was one of those who had made friends with these welcome visitors:

“When they actually left for France it was like saying goodbye to your friends, the Americans (especially) were interested in learning the history of the airfield and what goes on here. Lots of them flew with us in the days leading up to the show (too). We got to know them well, and their way rubbed off on us a little.”

Following the launch from Duxford, at Beachy Head, news reached many of us following on social media that they were airborne and inbound, following a previously released route. By this time, the roads were blocked by cars, many parked on the verges as the car parks were filled. Police multiplied from a single patrol car, to two, four, eventually up to ten were seen either parked up, or driving along the vast crowd lines. Upwards of 100,000 people were present on Beachy Head by the time the aircraft were departing from Duxford:

“It was truly a party atmosphere. There was music blaring from radios, groups of families, students, aviation fans, foreign visitors, all here to see what was to come. I remember trying to get to higher ground because you couldn’t see beyond the sea of heads across the clifftop. I was watching my phone closely with the delays, before seeing they had departed. Another person next to me had Flightradar24 up, which was showing their movements towards us. The weather had got dull and cold by this point, but people just kept coming! As the aircraft came into view in the far distance, a few specs in the sky, people began to point to the horizon, mumbles of excitement and anticipation were all around me. As they became far more visible, a wave of silence swept across the clifftops, as people became aware of the aircraft approaching, it was surreal and I have never seen something like it before, or since. Led by ‘That’s All. Brother’, as it would have been in 1944, the aircraft roared overhead, with a pair of P-51D Mustangs screaming below the cliff - it was a concerto of vintage warbird magic! Apart from a few cameras snapping photos, and indeed, the aircraft themselves, there was no other sounds.” – Matt Silvaire.  

From the air, this momentous occasion was equally impressive for the crews leading the formation, the 22 ‘Daks’, the escort aircraft, the fighters, the camera crews and all the jumpers on board, as Andy Maag recalls:

“It will be a lifelong memory for all of us. For a journey that was two years of planning and seven weeks of operations, I would say for most of us, the standout moments were the June 5 cross-channel para drop, and the June 6 commemoration flyover. The reality for the flight crew is that you need to be fully focused on the task at hand, so the significance really (did not) sink in until much later. During that flight (for Normandy), one poignant moment for me was looking down as we were approaching Beachy Head and witnessing the large crowds who had gathered to watch the airplanes head out over the channel.” 

As the aircraft cleared overhead at Beachy Head and disappeared into the murky skies, as they would have done in June 1944, the silence was broken by a spontaneous round of applause right along the crowds, into the car parks, In every car, from the most diehard enthusiast, to the police officers, whilst overhead, one of the escort aircraft, a T-6 Texan, did a victory roll over – the UK mission of Daks Over Normandy was complete. 

However, with Daks now a fond memory for many, a great achievement for others, and a moment of reflection for all, is this the last time we will see these infamous machines in the UK in large numbers? Air Displays UK put the question to Andy Maag:

“We would all love to come back (to the UK)! Across the D-Day Squadron airplanes, there is a great deal of interest to return for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The organization would be easier the next time around, though the fundraising never seems to get any easier!”  

At Air Displays UK, we would love to see the return of “That’s All, Brother”, as well as her D-Day Squadron compatriots! Let’s hope, whilst we reflect on a fantastic 2019 event, we will see, when days get better, and warbirds fly again, that the friendships made during Daks, and the memories formed, can be brought to life once again! 

Many thanks to Andy Maag of the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing “That’s All, Brother”, Andy O’Dell - groundcrew at Duxford, and our own Martin Stitchener for their words and memories. Further credit goes to D-Day Squadron and The Goldtimer Foundation. 

Photo credit: Matt Silvaire, Martin Stitchener, Andy O’Dell. 

Words By Matt Silvaire.