Honour the achievement and sacrifice of the Heroes
D Day 80 - Heroes Remembered
On D-Day, the 6th June 1944, Allied forces began the invasion of Normandy. At the time it was the largest naval, air and land operation in history with the amphibious assault (codenamed Operation Overlord) landing 156,000 soldiers on the beaches of Normandy by the end of that first day. Before the operation began, General Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe, sent his now famous communique out to the assembled force (click the image to read in full).
It was an incredibly difficult, dangerous and ultimately heroic feat of arms and human endeavour which historians now refer to as the beginning of the end of World War II. To honour the achievement and sacrifice of the Heroes that took part in D Day, Aero Legends is offering you the opportunity to join in a series of events and activities that we have called “Heroes Remembered”, probably the last big anniversary where veterans who took part in the action will still be with us.
NORTH WEALD AIRFIELD, ESSEX GROUND VIEW:
The event will commence at North Weald airfield, Essex UK where we will have assembled a fleet of Dakotas and other period aircraft. Over the 3-day of the show visitors on each day will be able to have tours of the aircraft, meet the crew, buy memorabilia, and enjoy 1940s style entertainment. As well as the Dakotas we will have assembled a large number of military vehicles that will be setting off in convoy to our next stop on our commemorations, Cherbourg. You will also be able to meet the vehicle owners and explore their vehicles up close.
An added bonus for viewing will be our specially built runway viewing area where you will be able to watch all aircraft movements, parachutists emplaning for their jumps & aircraft returning.
We aim to create an 1940s period feeling with re-enactor camps, re-enactors and much more! We also encourage anyone attending to dress in a period style to help add to the period atmosphere. As well as the show itself we will also have some lovely hospitality provided by the onsite “Rosey Lea” Squadron facility. Plenty of traders to have a wonder around and pick up some awesome memorabilia.
MILITARY VEHICLE CONVOY PARTICIPATION
If you are the operator of a World War Two Allied Military Vehicle, the type of which that was used in the Normandy Campaign in 1944, you are invited to participate in a unique event to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in June 1944. ‘D-Day 80 ~ Hero’s Remembered’ is being staged in both the United Kingdom and France from May 31st – June 9th, 2024. Vehicles will be marshalled from one location to the next in specific ‘WWII Vehicle Only’ convoys. This will be the first time that such large-scale period military encampments with vehicles, re-enactors and warbird aircraft will all come together in unison in such historic and appropriate locations.
CHERBOURG, FR (CAMP DAKOTA) GROUND SHOW:
Once the aircraft have departed North Weald, they will arrive at Cherbourg airport for the next stage of our commemorations. We will set up “Camp Dakota” which will be our base while in Normandy. During the ticket slots you will be able to tour the aircraft, meet the crews, buy their merchandise while enjoying the 1940s entertainment throughout the site. As well as the aircraft based there, we will also have our military vehicles which will also have set up camp with us. You will also be able to meet the owners and explore their vehicles up close.
During your ticket slot you will see plenty of action including parachutists emplaning for their jumps, the aircraft taking off and returning from there sorties.
We aim to create an 1940s period feeling with re-enactor camps, re-enactors and much more! We also encourage anyone attending to dress in a period style to help add to the period atmosphere.
While wandering around you will be able to have a look at various D-Day themed traders and maybe pick one some memorabilia.
Ticket numbers will be limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
PARACHUTE JUMP PARTICIPATION
If you are a parachutist with the correct qualifications to jump with a “Round Canopy”, then we are delighted to open up a load of opportunities and packages to jump coordinated with Round Canopy Parachuting Team Int. To view locations, dates & opportunities click below.
UPOTTERY, DEVON UK GROUND SHOW:
To commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy which sparked the beginning of the end of WWII, the famous Airfield at Upottery, the original departure airfield for the 506PIR 101st Airborne, of Band of Brothers fame, will once again host a fleet of Paratrooper carrying C-47 Planes in a historic parachute mission bound for Normandy. Almost exactly 80 years on, for the first time since the night of the 5th June 1944, an entire fleet of Veteran C47 Aircraft will once again depart the runway at Upottery and cross the English channel to drop parachutists over Normandy. In partnership with The Round Canopy Parachuting Team, Aero Legends, the Airfield and Surrounding area will be hosting Parachutists, aircrew, celebrities, re-enactors, and living history groups in a truly unmissable event. Visitors to the event can witness Parachute Training drills, Parachute packing, living history and vehicle displays and encampments, browse militaria and food stalls before watching over 100 round canopy parachutists board the fleet of C47 Aircraft for take off on fly-in days. This one-of-a-kind event will take you back in time to discover what the airfield might have looked and sounded like on that historic night. There will be ground viewing opportunities as well as the ability to get close to the aircraft for the photographers amongst you.
We aim to create an 1940s period feeling with re-enactor camps, re-enactors and much more! We also encourage anyone attending to dress in a period style to help add to the period atmosphere.
Ticket numbers will be limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
