Flight Journal

Flight Journal is the world’s number one historical aviation brand. It is the go-to publication for those seeking the aviation experience as seen from the cockpit by history-making pilots and through the lenses of the world’s best aviation photographers. The emphasis is on giving readers unexpected aviation information and making them part of landmark experiences in a way that is to be found in no other periodical.

The Longest Day

Flight Journal • MAY/JUNE 2024 | VOLUME 31, NO. 3

AERIAL ASSAULT The day Fortress Europe fell • Today the numbers involved in Operation Overlord are unthinkable: 6,000 bombers, more than 5,000 fighters, some 1,600 transport aircraft, and 2,500 gliders. All crammed into scores of airfields throughout Britain, but mainly in southern England. All were serviced, armed, and assigned aircrews, eager to take off on the day called “D.”

THE LUFTWAFFE ON D-DAY

LITTLE FRIENDS Over the Beach • The fighters get down and dirty

PILOT’S VIEW D-Day from the cockpit • In his memoir, Lt. Col. Richard E. Turner recalled D-Day for the Ninth Air Force’s 354th Fighter Group at Maidstone, Kent. He described the “Pioneer Mustangs’” rare D-Day missions: night escort of troop carrier aircraft and gliders.

IMPOSSIBLE TARGET • Why did so many paratroopers miss the drop zone on D-Day?

The Glorious Gooney

SHOT DOWN OVER NORMANDY! RAF Spitfire pilot survives D-Day invasion • RAF Spitfire pilot Flight Lieutenant Walter “Johnny” Johnston was lucky to survive when he was shot down over Normandy by enemy anti-aircraft fire on D-Day+8. This is his remarkable story, putting you in the cockpit of a Spitfire under fire.

56th FG Jugs: War Paint

Silent MISSIONS The glider gang behind the lines • During the National WW II Glider Pilots Association’s 41st reunion in Oklahoma City in October 2011, glider pilots George L. Williams of Idaho and Norman C. Wilmeth of Oklahoma shared memories of their D-Day glider missions with the author.

Keeping ’Em Flying

FLIGHT GEAR

War’s Ultimate Weapon