Aviation booklet | Page 35

from the 61st Troop Carrier Group USAAF. Over 1100 paratroops climbed aboard the 72 aircraft and headed to Drop Zone Tango to take part in the D-Day assault. That autumn, on the morning of the 17th September, 1944, 1st Parachute Brigade of the British 1st Airborne Division also deployed from RAF Barkston Heath, again in C-47 aircraft of the 61st Troop Carrier Group of the USAAF. D-Day was under way the moment the wheels of the first C-47 left RAF North Witham at 21.59 on the night of 5th June 1944 American servicemen enjoyed the town 35