Behind the Wings

The D-Day Air Campaign - Episode 46


Listen Later

National Museum of WWII Aviation Curator Gene Pfeffer discusses why winning the air war was pivotal to D-Day's success.


In this episode, we’ll dive into the planning and execution of air operations, the aircraft that supported the massive assault, the continued aerial support for troops after Operation Overlord, and its lasting legacy and impact on aviation. June 6, 2024, marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day and gave us the opportunity to learn more about one of the most important battles of WWII. This one is going to be cool!


Key Takeaways:

  • Gene takes us through the evolution of aircraft spurred by World War II, from biplanes to jets.
  • Although America hadn't yet entered the war, planning for D-Day began in 1940, outlining what exactly would be required for the invasion.
  • In 1943, it was decided that the Allies could not win the invasion without air superiority. Leading up to D-Day, the Allies focused heavily on eliminating the German Air Force as a factor, and on June 6, the German Air Force had 300 sorties while the Allies had 13,000.
  • The day before Operation Overlord, the Allies painted invasion stripes on their airplanes under the cover of darkness. Due to the massive amount of aircraft, the paint scheme helped mitigate friendly fire.
  • Multiple kinds of aircraft participated in the invasion and each had specific roles. To name a few, the C-47s towed gliders or dropped paratroopers, B-17s, 24s, and 26s dropped bombs, P-47s acted as flying artillery, and P-38s flew cover over the ships.
  • After D-Day, the Allies used their air power to aid troops with strategic bombings like Operation Cobra, targeting German oil and V-2 centers, and providing medical aid.
  • Gene encourages anyone interested in aerospace to visit your local museum and get involved.

Resources:

  • The National Museum of WWII Aviation Website 
  • Operation Overlord: D-Day (National Museum of the U.S. Air Force) 
  • Operation Overlord (Wikipedia) 
  • Air War During Operation Overlord (Wikipedia) 
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Behind the WingsBy Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum™

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

21 ratings


More shows like Behind the Wings

View all
The Finer Points - Aviation Podcast by Jason Miller

The Finer Points - Aviation Podcast

376 Listeners

Airplane Geeks Podcast by Airplane Geeks

Airplane Geeks Podcast

392 Listeners

AOPA Never Again by AOPA

AOPA Never Again

225 Listeners

Aviation Week's Check 6 Podcast by Aviation Week Network

Aviation Week's Check 6 Podcast

380 Listeners

Hangar Talk - An Aviation Podcast by AOPA

Hangar Talk - An Aviation Podcast

104 Listeners

AvTalk - Aviation Podcast by Flightradar24

AvTalk - Aviation Podcast

662 Listeners

Aviation News Talk podcast by Max Trescott | Glass Cockpit Publishing

Aviation News Talk podcast

757 Listeners

"There I was..." An Aviation Podcast by AOPA Air Safety Institute

"There I was..." An Aviation Podcast

292 Listeners

Fighter Pilot Podcast by E. Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello, Retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot

Fighter Pilot Podcast

1,851 Listeners

Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk by Air Traffic Talk

Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk

897 Listeners

The Afterburn Podcast by John "Rain" Waters

The Afterburn Podcast

910 Listeners

10 Percent True - Tales from the Cockpit by Steve Davies

10 Percent True - Tales from the Cockpit

163 Listeners

Ask the A&Ps by AOPA

Ask the A&Ps

251 Listeners

I Learned About Flying From That by Flying Magazine

I Learned About Flying From That

184 Listeners

Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's by Sporty's Pilot Shop

Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

145 Listeners