D-Day 75 Daks Over Normandy flight over Eastbourne DELAYED

The D-Day 75 year anniversary flight over Eastbourne has been delayed today (June 5).

Around 30 ‘Daks’, also known as Dakotas, are due to fly over the town accompanied by a squadron of Spitfires and Hurricanes on their way to Normandy to commemorate the D-Day landings.

It is an event not likely to be repeated in our lifetime, and one many are gathering in anticipation for.

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The aircraft had initially been scheduled to soar over Eastbourne at 14.50, but now the estimated take off from Duxford in Cambridgeshire is between 15.10-15.24 – according to International War Museum Duxford.

The original timings suggested it would take around an hour and ten minutes to get to Eastbourne from there, so the updated time for the flypast could be more like 16.20-16.30.

Daks Over Normandy has posted on its Facebook page, “The mass Daks departure is now scheduled for 15.24. Due to unforeseen circumstances live streaming will not be happening.

“If this rescheduled time goes ahead, we will be in Sannerville at approx. 18.15-18.45 local time.”

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The Herald is monitoring the situation and will bring any updates as soon as possible.

Ian CoshamIan Cosham
Ian Cosham

Beachy Head is said to be extremely busy this afternoon as crowds gather to watch the flight from the iconic location.

Elsewhere in Eastbourne, the Redoubt Fortress has opened its doors to the public this afternoon from 1.30pm. The attraction has free entry to the parade grounds and gun platform. The Outpost cafe will be open too.

The route runs from Duxford and will fly over Colchester, Southend, and Maidstone. Then it takes a flight path over Sussex which will see the fleet of aircraft pass over Eastbourne before heading out across the English Channel for Normandy.

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The Dak Normandy flight will also be carrying a contingent of 300 parachutists who will come down on the Drop Zone at Ranville in the same fields where British parachute and glider-borne troops of the 6th Airborne Division landed on the night and day of June 6.

The commemorative flight is unlikely to ever be repeated on this scale. See our website for a video and photos on the day.