70 Ans Après/70 Years On

On June 2-4 2014 eight Dakotas (and other aircraft) gathered at Lee on Solent prior to flying to France to participate in events commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day. It was a long wait for their departure in wind and rain on 4 June as the weather threatened to replicate exactly that of the 1944 date. Eventually, at around 1250, they took to the air creating a sight perhaps never to be repeated. I captured six of the eight aircraft. This is OH-LCH in Finnish Airlines colours. 200_P1030908C

On June 2-4 2014 eight Dakotas (and other aircraft) gathered at Lee on Solent prior to flying to France to participate in events commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day. It was a long wait for their departure in wind and rain on 4 June as the weather threatened to replicate exactly that of the 1944 date. Eventually, at around 1250, they took to the air creating a sight perhaps never to be repeated. I captured six of the eight aircraft. This is former Royal Danish Air Force K-682/OY-BPB. 200_P1030906C

'Five Beaches' (2014) by Deer Park Alpha with Oliver Merkin. Stone, Steel and Concrete. This simple but beautiful sculpture was installed at the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth as part of the commemorations of the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Five blocks of Caen stone on a mirrored surface represent the five assault beaches and the water over which the troops travelled to the landings. 200_P1030458

'Five Beaches' (2014) by Deer Park Alpha with Oliver Merkin. Stone, Steel and Concrete. This simple but beautiful sculpture was installed at the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth as part of the commemorations of the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Five blocks of Caen stone on a mirrored surface represent the five assault beaches and the water over which the troops travelled to the landings. 200_P1030460

'Five Beaches' (2014) by Deer Park Alpha with Oliver Merkin. Stone, Steel and Concrete (detail). This simple but beautiful sculpture was installed at the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth as part of the commemorations of the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Five blocks of Caen stone on a mirrored surface represent the five assault beaches and the water over which the troops travelled to the landings. 200_P1030461

'Five Beaches' (2014) by Deer Park Alpha with Oliver Merkin. Stone, Steel and Concrete. This simple but beautiful sculpture was installed at the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth as part of the commemorations of the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Five blocks of Caen stone on a mirrored surface represent the five assault beaches and the water over which the troops travelled to the landings. 200_P1030498

Pickett-Hamilton Forts were retractable pill-boxes, specially designed for the defence of airfields in the Second World War. This is one of three built to defend Portsmouth Airport and moved to this D-Day Museum location in 1984 during redevelopment of the airport site. 200_P1030468

'Monty' Field Marshal Viscount Montgpmery of Alamein. Allied Land Forces Commander during D-Day and during the Normandy campaign. Statue opposite D-Day Museum, Portsmouth. 200_P1030470

'Monty' Field Marshal Viscount Montgpmery of Alamein. Allied Land Forces Commander during D-Day and during the Normandy campaign. Statue opposite D-Day Museum, Portsmouth. 200_P1030471

'A Soldier of World War Two' D-Day Museum, Portsmouth. 200_P1030478

The sculpture 'A Soldier of World War Two' and a Sherman Grizzly tank at the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth. The Sherman was the most used Allied tank of the Second World War with 49,000 produced. The Grizzly was the Canadian built version with this example being one of 188 built in Montreal. 200_P1030479

The Sherman was the most used Allied tank of the Second World War with 49,000 produced. This Grizzly was a Canadian built version with this example being one of 188 built in Montreal. It is on display at the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth. 200_P1030481

This Churchill tank at the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth is a 'Crocodile' which was a Mark VII equipped with a flame-thrower. Crocodiles towed a two-wheeled armoured trailer, containing 400 gallons of fuel for the flame-thrower. The link to the trailer is seen at the rear of the tank. 200_P1030483

The 3.7 inch Mark II was the standard British heavy anti-aircraft (AA) gun of the Second World War. This example is at the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth. 200_P1030486

This Churchill tank at the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth is a 'Crocodile' which was a Mark VII equipped with a flame-thrower. This tank has been given the markings of a Crocodile of C Squadron, 141st (The Buffs) Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps which landed in Normandy on D-Day. 200_P1030489

Practice makes perfect. A rehearsal for combat recreated at the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth. 200_P1030494

Practice makes perfect. A rehearsal for combat recreated at the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth. 200_P1030494M

On the walk through the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth, part of the inside of an aircraft (perhaps a Dakota) is recreated with a lone, contemplative figure waiting for a jump. 200_P1030496M