Men from the U.K. the U.S.A. New Zealand, Australia, Rhodesia, Canada and most Commonwealth countries.
Men from Poland, Russia and other eastern European countries, all working together from ground crew to                   

Air operations prior to D-Day were very extensive, it was imperative         that air supremacy was achieved before Overlord could begin.
The German Luftwaffe was mainly engaged in the defence of the homeland, which at this time was being bombed virtually round the clock! by the R.A.F. during the night and the U.S.A.A.F. during the day. Suffering tremendous losses, the Luftwaffe were left with virtually no aircraft to defend the Normandy coastline when the invasion began.

Prior to D-Day thousands of reconnaissance missions were flown, the need to know exactly what the allies would be facing was essential.
During this period it was vital that the German Intelligence were given no hint as to where the invasion would be launched.
For every sortie flew over Normandy either recon. or bombing, two were flown over the Pas-de-Calais.
This operation was code named "BODYGUARD"

The bombers of the Allied Airforces during Overlord were the Avro Lancasters and Halifaxes of the R.A.F. and the B-17 Flying Fortresses  and B-24 Liberators of the U.S.A.A.F. 8th. Airforce.
For months before D-Day these aircraft had constantly bombed Germany, destroying key targets and reducing the enemies capability to defend the skies.
On the night of June 5th./6th. 1944 a thousand bomber raid by the R.A.F. targeted the coastal batteries of Normandy therefore preventing them from firing on the invasion fleet.
The American 8th. Airforce supported by medium bombers of the 9th. were in action over four of the landing beaches.
To create confusion the Pas-de-Calais received a bombing raid so large that the Germans were convinced the invasion was about to take place there.

Down load Lancaster fly-past…. it will take about one minute, but worth the wait!!!

The Hawker Typhoon, is held in such high regard by the D-Day Veterans, because of the major role it played in the Battle of Normandy, the "Ground Attack" role it adopted, gave it the ability to seek and destroy enemy tanks, bridges, trains, armoured vehicles and light shipping. Using 3 inch unguided air-to-surface rockets, the skill of the pilots delivered a devastating punch to the German defences.

Download Spitfire Scramble!!