Help needed

[Lynn]

Info needed for use in a project in a junior school. Can you please tell me which planes were used to drop paratroopers on D-Day -1 also would these planes have had a green/red light system for the jumpers?
Thanks for your help.

[Wuzak]

The Douglas C-47 (aka DC-3) was used extensively to drop paratroopers on D-Day.

There were probably others as well.

There were also gliders used to carry troops into France.

[Lynn]

Thanks for that. Any idea about the lights? The children are writing poems to be read out to veterans and we don't want them to get anything wrong

[Lynn]

Thanks for that. Any idea about the lights? The children are writing poems to be read out to veterans and we don't want them to get anything wrong

[Wuzak]

Not sure about the lights.

I have a copy of Band of Brothers, which is a very good documentary which follows a company in the 101st Airborne from D-day to the end of the war. I'll see what they used - I'm sure it is quite accurate.

[Wuzak]

Yes, it appears there was a red light and a green light, which were situated next to the door. When the red light came on it signified that the troops should get ready to jump. The green light was the signal to jump.

The lights were operated by the pilot/co-pilot of teh transport aircraft.

[Lynn]

Thank you very much for your help it is appreciated. The boy who wrote the poem will be very pleased.

[Wuzak]

You're welcome.