ATLANTA — Huge crowds enjoyed the sights and sounds of World War II during the weekend as historic aircraft flew and two popular jump teams dropped from the skies to highlight the WWII Heritage Days.
The popular weekend turnout allowed guests to witness living history. Re-enactments of Allied and Axis soldiers around encampments as popular Big Band music added to the sound of aircraft thunder.
The U.S. Army Golden Knights followed by the Liberty Jump Team flew each day. Each precisely flew over the jump zone at Falcon Field and gave the go for their paratroopers to jump.
“World War II Heritage Days is a great event not only for our city but our country,” Peachtree City Mayor Vanessa Fleisch said on Sunday. “We are excited to have these veterans and the crew of That’s all Brother at our airfield today. Peachtree City is honored to be a part of this 75th anniversary commemoration of D-Day.”
Three Douglas C-47A Skytrain aircraft, which flew missions during the Allied invasion of Normandy Beach, France in 1944, stood static on display. One C-47 which led the main aerial invasion was That’s All — Brother!, and guests had the opportunity to watch her fly and fly aboard.
Known as D-Day, the C-47s were an unsung hero on June 6, 1944, as nearly 800 from the United States and Europe carried paratroopers and supplies for the amphibious landing. That’s All — Brother! will join over 20 other C-47s to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day in June.
“It’s a privilege to be able to fly this airplane,” Joe Enzminger, Wing Leader pilot of the Central Texas Wing for the Commemorative Air Force, said on Sunday. “That’s All – Brother! lead the main invasion force, and when the order came to go, they launched and dropped their paratroopers in France.”
Enzminger and his crew will pilot the aircraft to the UK in May via the north Atlantic route. The sister C-47 Placid Lassie also attended WWII Heritage Days, and will make the journey to honor the Allied forces. Both aircraft will join nearly 30 other C-47s for the June 6 flight over Normandy.
“Everytime we fly this airplane — everytime I stand in it — it’s hard not to think about what happened here,” “And the guys sitting inside that in the dead of night they got up, stepped out that door and jumped into France. It’s always in the back of our mind.”
(Charles A Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)
