5265 x 3292 px | 44,6 x 27,9 cm | 17,6 x 11 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
8 settembre 2012
Ubicazione:
Cambridgeshire UK
Altre informazioni:
N473DC / 2100882/3X-P (cn 19345 "Drag Em Oot" Drag 'em oot is an airworthy Dakota resident in the UK . The aircraft is a combat veteran, having seen action during D-Day and in Operations Market Garden and Varsity. Delivered to the USAAF in December 1943 as C-47A Skytrain, with a serial number of 42-100882, she was assigned to the 9th Air Force Troop Carrier Command in the European Theatre of Operations, and flew to the UK in February 1944. Assigned to 87th Troop Carrier Squadron, 438th Troop Carrier Group, IX Troop Carrier Command at RAF Greenham Common. The 438th provided the four lead squadrons on D-Day transporting the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, to their drop zone located near Carentan. On the evening of 6th June the unit took part in Operation ELMIRA, the glider borne reinforcement of the earlier drops by elements of the 82nd Airborne Division. The towed force consisted of 14 Waco CG-4A Hadrian and 36 Airspeed Horsa gliders, these being released at a landing zone near Sainte-Mere-Eglise. During Operation Market Garden, the Arnhem landings in September 1944, Drag ‘em oot served in the re-supply role and sustained battle damage. The aircraft’s lower wing surfaces and rear fuselage were hit by ground fire and flak whilst an attack by a German fighter resulted in the cockpit being sprayed with bullets, around 40 bullet strikes in all. Drag ‘em oot returned to the glider snatch role and continued sorties throughout the lead up to Operation VARSITY, the crossing of the Rhine in March 1945. With the war over, Drag ‘em oot was transferred to 435 (RCAF) Squadron at Down Ampney, in August 1945. Remaining under RAF control she carried out freight duties and troop movements throughout Europe and Scandinavia until April 1946, including returning Allied PoW.
