The Amazing Story of Flt Lt David Lord VC DFC. The Dakota Hero

[@veronicabennett4359]

My father, who was fighting with 4 Para at Oosterbeek, watched Flt Lt Lord's aircraft as he made his final run. Dad said it was the bravest thing he had ever seen. Years later I was stationed at RAF Brize Norton where 10 Squadron's VC10's were named after holders of the VC including David Lord. A photo of him used to hang in the Officers Mess - I hope it still does.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Many thanks to your Father, Veronica for his duty and bravery! I've flew on VC10s during my service in the RAF and I wonder if I ever flew on that named after Flt Lt Lord.

[@davecoombs6951]

When i served in the RAF i flew on VC10 GUY GIBSON

[@michaellord9]

My father unveiled XR810 and after years of service I was gutted to find out that at the time my uncle's VC10 was scrapped at St Nathan the year before.... what I would have given to ask for the dedication crest

[@davedickinson9260]

On the shoulders of such great men, our freedom was won. Let's hope it will not be squandered on the whims of modern politicians who serve a different philosophy, RevDev x

[@michaellord9]

on behalf of all of my family may I thank you for your upload of our uncle's actions. David's brother, my father, also flew Daks during the war and provided us the written letters from H King to my grandmother regarding David's actions, one of self sacrifice. Naturally there is more to the story but I believe you have provided a very good narration here. Thank you.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you so much for your comments Michael. It always pleases me when family members contact me about their relatives and ancestors. As an RAF veteran myself, I'm passionate about keeping the memories of these amazing individuals alive through my humble little KZbin channel and your Uncle was a truly remarkable man and people need to know what he and many others like him did for all of us.

[@Nickel1147]

Michael thank you for your uncle's service. An incredibly brave man. There are no words to really describe that sort of courage. My Dad took part in Market Garden. Royal Artillery in support of 101 US Airborne at Veghel.

[@Nickel1147]

​@@TheNorthernHistoriangreat video

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you.

[@basbeek8149]

He is honoured here in the Netherlands too! It is about 30 years ago that i first heard this story. He sacrified his life for our freedom!

[@k6fgj]

About 20 years ago as a professional artist specialising aviation art ,I painted a tribute to David Lord VC . It is part of a trio of paintings called Faith, Hope,and Charity. The first two became limited edition prints ,however the publisher and I disagreed over the Lord painting on technical grounds. As a result it was never printed and I still have it ! I offered it to Wrexham museum but they said they couldn’t guarantee that it would go on display so I saw no point in them having it . I’m now wondering if the imperial war museum would display it with Lords medals . Thank you so much for this incredibly thoughtful and caring documentary . Best wishes Ian Walton

[@michaeldoolan7595]

Faith hope and charity were the names of the glouster gladiators flown over Malta.

[@mikenow3050]

My Para uncle died in the war, on the Rhine. As an ex Airman myself i found this unexpectedly emotional. But i am glad the pilots valour was remembered.

[@kidmohair8151]

not only will I take a moment to hit the like button, I'll leave a comment saying thank you for searching out and producing these stories of our brave forebears who fought and died to defend us from the now re-rising threat of fascism. they showed us that we have to be vigilant, always. never forget. never again.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you very much. As a former RAF serviceman, I really enjoy finding stories that keep the memories of these amazing people alive. Lest we forget.

[@johncaldwell-wq1hp]

"THE PRICE OF FREEDOM,--IS ETERNAL VIGILANCE"

[@jameswebb4593]

What rearising threat ? You mean from this present government and police force . My father spent five years overseas in the Army . My mother lost a brother . If they and millions of others could have known what this country had descended too , none would have fought.

[@simonbertioli4696]

Amazing story...yup we did have some incredible heroes. RIP boys we salute your courage...👍👋

[@martinriley106]

What a brave and courageous crew! 🎖️

[@stickiedmin6508]

My maternal Grandad's brother, Pilot Officer Gordon Birlison was killed over Arnhem too, on the 21st Sept while attempting to drop supplies to the Paras. He went down in Dakota KG579, and is buried over there with the rest of the plane's crew. That branch of the family was from the north east, like you. I'm the only one left that still lives north of Rotherham. We've still got his log book and medals, as well as a flying jacket that belonged to him - warmest garment you could ever imagine. Putting it on is like wearing an oven. Fantastic videos mate, thanx. We're all grateful.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed the video. They were very brave men, all of them. Often overlooked for attention by the fighter and bomber crews so I was keen to tell this story. Flt Lt Lord's story, I'm sure was probably quite common amongst Transport Command including your family's ancestor. Thanks for the comment.

[@CS_247]

Brings a tear to my eye, how much all those men on that aircraft gave that day. All of them are heros.

[@faramog]

I was at the 75th celebrations of Arnhem and met a very old ex glider pilot who both knew Lord well and witnessed the action. There was a service at the site and the locals had created a dedication that we were there to see unveiled followed by a short service at his grave ... remarkable bravery

[@trevorjohnson2318]

I'm sorry, but for the sake of two cases of ammunition, which were unlikely to make a huge difference, he sacrificed the lives of his crew, bar one. Yes he was courageous, but did the rest get a choice? If they had bailed out after the first run, over friendly territory, they could have been back in a new plane a few days later, a valuable, well trained crew.

[@ericvadekro8334]

I’ve admired this act of immense courage since my childhood…. Visited their graves a couple of times and a model of KG-374 is in my cabinet. Rest in peace brave crew

[@iainmalcolm9583]

Great piece of history. Often pilot's like Lord get overlooked when the battle stories are told.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you. You are correct, it's often the fighter and bomber crews that get the coverage.

[@stevemorris289]

We had the great honour of meeting his family and laying a wreath on his grave at Oosterbeek War Cemetary during one of our Dambusters motorcycle tours.

[@ChrisNewton-y9d]

Hero's supplying Hero's what can one say, the men that gave their lives for us god bless them all ❤

[@Hangtough1944]

Brilliant video mate. LEST WE FORGET

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks

[@percyprune7548]

He deserved the medal but when I first read of this years ago, I always thought it unfair that the loaders & other crew who stayed as well were forgotten about.

[@colinmartin2921]

True, but it is always the case that lower ranks are forgotten. There was the case of the midget sub attack of WWII where the three crew men were decorated for valour, the captain and diver getting VCs yet the engineer only getting a DSM, even though they were all in the same sub!

[@paulmcgee1867]

Different responsibilities and decision making

[@philgiglio7922]

In the US military if a pilot receives a DFC, the remainder of the crew receive the next lowest award, in this case an Air Medal with a V device to indicate valor. Air Medals can either be for valor or missions (combat air time) flown. Ditto for the Bronze Star, valor or meritorious service.

[@eddieedmondson7698]

My father (Royal Marines 1932-1945) once told me about one of his officers getting into strife for refusing to accept a medal "unless all my men get one too." Didn't go down well with the brass apparently.

[@MrOtistetrax]

Doesn’t sit right with me either. The crew had no say in whether they went around again or not. He basically sacrificed all of their lives as well as his own in order to drop a few more crates of ammo. Not my definition of bravery. Different story if he’d stayed aboard so that they could all have a chance to bail out. And to be fair to him, that may have been his intention. But the fact is that they all deserve recognition for what they were doing.

[@davidgamper6726]

What an incredible story of bravery.. Reminds me that my father Flt Lt Harry Gamper was also a tow plane skipper at Blake Hill Farm in the D-Day time frame. He survived and lived to be 102.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Wow, that's an impressive age for an impressive gentleman.

[@charlesarmstrong5292]

Thank you for that exceptional account of this mission. So well mapped out and eruditely explained. Thank God for that exceptional generation of men who gave so freely that we the next generation may live in freedom. "Age shall not weary them..."

[@Lee0568]

I have been to visit Flt Lt Lord's grave at the Arnhem cemetery,I also have the Decal set for the Dakota he flew over Arnhem where he won the VC.

[@michaellord9]

my uncle did not "win" the VC, he was awarded it, huge difference.

[@tylerleversage1933]

Who manufactured those decals and in what scale?

[@brianhiggins-dl5gx]

Hi is Lt lords decal set on sale anywhere to buy thanks

[@Lee0568]

@@michaellord9 my great great uncle was Flight Sergeant Thomas Mottershead,and he WON his VC (only N.C.O pilot to win) in the first world war,and I have replica's of his and my grand fathers medals in my Library.

[@michaellord9]

@@Lee0568 Congrats - keep it safe. Although people are awarded medals the recipients dont "win" them, although Hollywood would make you think otherwise.

[@scopex2749]

I am an RAF veteran - one of our aircraft was named after David Lord DFC, VC. Lord rest his soul a truly brave airman.🎖

[@Iazzaboyce]

VC DFC

[@25Wineman]

When a new video from the Northern Historian pop's up I know it's always worth watching. A little piece of history brilliantly researched and presented!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Wow, you are very kind! Thanks very much.

[@TheDragonlair68]

All I can say , well , Hero GOD BLESS

[@charlessouthern3160]

Jimmy Edwards the comedian, was also in 271 squadron, and was also involved with the Arnhem drop. His Dakota was also shot down by enemy fire. He received burns to his face. He grew the moustache to cover his injuries

[@rayavia]

Wow, thanks for that inspiring story of courage.

[@oldsongsnew8797]

Having a brother called David Lord , I just had to watch!

[@ronti2492]

Great video- thank you very much, lest we forget. Its not all fast jets, fighter planes and air combat-they also serve who do the hack work of transport and logistics! That's bravery, from FLTLT Lord and all of his crew. Their name liverth forever more. From an Army logistician

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much. There would be no action at the front without the support of logistics. As true today as ever.

[@ronti2492]

Hear hear!

[@Richs_reef]

I recently visited the IWM in London and saw Flt Lt David Lord’s VC in the Ashcroft collection - and incredible act of bravery

[@grahambuckerfield4640]

I had heard of David Lord, the broad circumstances of his last flight and that one of the 14 RAF VC.10 C.1s delivered from 1966, all named after the service’s VC winners included David Lord. This excellent and welcome video provides so much more, both in background, as well as the final parts of his service. By chance, today’s ‘We Have Ways Of Making You Talk’ podcast mentioned VC’s and who gets them, Al Murray noted how one of the troops on the ground watching Lord’s heroic action said ‘that buggers going to get a VC’.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed the video Graham. A very interesting point about the VC10s, I wonder which VC winners I have flown on during my time in service.

[@grahambuckerfield4640]

@@TheNorthernHistorian I am jealous, the VC-10, loved seeing them growing up and working at LHR. Though starting my 37 years at BA in 1983, I missed them by two years. But from 1997 to its end, I was in Concorde Engineering, many of my senior colleagues were ex BAC and had built the aircraft and VC-10’s too. I had a shift manager whose first assignment as an apprentice was on the Ghana Airways Standard VC-10. Another said the highlight of his recent trip to Washington DC was seeing a RAF VC-10, or rather he heard it first! With a friend at the MoD, I tried to get on one of these weekly Washington flights but they were discontinued before I got the chance. However, 7 Concorde flights, including air tests and the penultimate one and final international flight, G-BOAE to Barbados. So flew on the fastest across the pond but not on the second fastest and most beautiful subsonic airliner.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

I'm jealous now haha, would love to have flown on Concorde

[@EricIrl]

Nice to se a profile of David Lord - listed as one of the Irish VCs. One correction, the Douglas DC-2 was never referred to as a "Dakota". "Dakota" was the RAF name for the Douglas C-47 Skytrain - the C-47 itself being a militarised version of the civilian Douglas DC-3 pre-war airliner. At that time, the phonetic alphabet used by the RAF (and the rest of the military) was quite different to the one we use today "The letters K and G would not have been referred to as "Kilo" and "Golf". Back then, they would have said "King" and "George". Also, aircraft were usually referred to by their designated code letter in the squadron, rather than their serial. Lord's Dakota was coded YS-DM. YS was the squadron code for 271 Squadron. DM was the individual code for the aircraft.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Yes, a correction that has been mentioned regarding the DC2.

[@TheLincolnshireFlyer]

We have a lot to be thankful for with these brave people.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

We do indeed

[@normannokes9513]

Comedian Jimmy Edwards earned his DFC at Arnhem.

[@ColinH1973]

Thank you so much for this. Your work just gets more and more polished. I have been to Oosterbeek and seen his grave. A very brave man indeed.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

You're very welcome, thank you.

[@MajorT0m]

Always a pleasure when Northern Historian uploads!

[@andrewmountford3608]

Good to have you back.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks. Happy to be back!

[@colinmartin2921]

I used to know a Royal Engineer who was with 30 Corps who witnessed the Poles parachuting down; he said that the AA was terrible and that the Poles 'took a terrible pasting'.

[@iainb1577]

It's nice to see you back at it.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks. Glad to be back..!

[@Buckbury]

Outstanding man RIP.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Completely agree

[@Seafariireland]

Blessed hero, well done you Corkonian!

[@markbavin857]

Great to see a new video from you, sir. Thanks for your efforts and looking forward to many more videos from you!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you. There are more videos in the planning

[@MarkTheMorose]

A stirring tale, for sure. I see that you corrected it in the video description, but the VC always appears first in the list of medals and awards.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

My bad, Thanks for the correction.

[@nickw6175]

for those of a certain age you may remember the comedian Jimmy Edwards a larger than life character with a handbar moustache, he was also a Dakota pilot at operation Market garden it was his plane that was also famously caught going down in flames, his moustache was used to hide his plastic surgery scars, amazing is that I never really liked him as a comic and then found out about his war service.

[@rob5944]

First video for a while, but worth waiting for. A privilege to watch.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you very much Rob.

[@clivesimpson-wells5952]

Brilliantly Narrated , love the accent , Great video , thanks....Clive ha ha deep southerner Sussex...

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@frankeimer3906]

Many thanks for your hard work on these uploads for us. From this older Canuck

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

My pleasure! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@steveneltringham1478]

Another great video. This channel is fast becoming a favourite of mine.

[@frederickjackson4273]

Many thanks for a great video , the plaque in honour of Flt Lt David Lord has been on display in St Marys C.C at the side of St Marys Cathedral, it has always been a great topic of conversation 👍

[@Gribbo9999]

It was a very fine moustache. I didn't know the background to it. Thanks.

[@panzerivausfg4062]

Welcome back!🎉 We missed your videos!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you very much. I needed a break to recharge but I'm back with a lot of new ideas for the channel.

[@panzerivausfg4062]

@@TheNorthernHistorian That's great to hear! Take all the time you need!

[@samrodian919]

Thank you for this very interesting video. I had not heard of Flt Lt Lord's extremely brave actions on that day. RIP Flt Lt Lord, and his three crew members.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed the video

[@northwalesmod]

There was 4 Army Air Despatchers on the aircraft!! & The Air crew

[@ginojaco]

What a fellow!

[@catdaddy57]

Great videos.....keep them coming!!

[@tonyfranks9551]

We all owe them so much.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Indeed we do.

[@adunreathcooper]

Simply amazing.

[@michaelcoghlan9124]

Thank you.❤

[@davidkimmel4216]

Thanks

[@theflow5269]

Cracking video, thank-you. Would be interested in hearing more about the circumstances that led to him receiving his DFC.

[@conmcgrath7174]

God speed Sir and clear skies.

[@rightmarker1]

Astonishing courage - when comes again such a generation?

[@_Anato_]

Today, Tomorrow, and the Day After. Not to diminish any achievements/heroics, but there is some sort of cult built up around people in WW2 falsely calling them "The greatest" generation. They marched off to war the way men did throughout history. Should we call someone who spent his days watching the coast at Dover sipping tea "Great" just because he existed at that time and served? What about the slum-scoundrel who was plucked from the streets given a stock and a caplock/flintlock rifle and told to march against the French in Spain? What makes stories like this special, is that they are ordinary people, in extraordinary circumstances doing extraordinary things. We could all be drafted into a war tomorrow, and you could end up pulling 6 men from a burning Jackal whilst taking 3 rounds to the thigh and then you'd carry each man 50ft from the blazing wreck. You don't set out to do it, there was no instruction you were given, it would just be a drive within you to save the man you shared your meals with. Would you then beat your chest and call us collectively "The greatest generation" when I was in a nice safe maintenance area 400 miles from the front line with my arms deep in a Challenger 3 engine bay?. There's not been this level of "greatest generation" stuff since Post-Marathon. And guess what, those that went off to that fight were considered "weak" or "soft" by previous "Great" generations. Great people do great things. It's nothing to do with the generation. Collectively calling them that just detracts from the extraordinary deeds.

[@MichaelBrewitt]

I remember flying back to the UK from Cyprus in 1974 on VC10 Sir David Lord.

[@geoffballe8766]

A good man,, one of many from both sides,

[@stevezander8650]

Incredable bravery of Flt Lord and his crew in the face of overwelming odds

[@stuartofblyth]

Was the DC-2 known as the Dakota as well as the DC-3? I never knew!

[@californiadreamin8423]

Don’t think so. The Dakota was really the C47 , chosen by the US as a military transport as war approached, re engineered and strengthened , for mass production.

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. LAURENCE BINYON

[@davebradshaw2537]

Great video,thanks for posting it. Sorry to nit-pick but OP Neptune was the naval part of D-day and Overlord the actual landings.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks Dave. My understanding is that the landings was Neptune and Overlord was the ensuing Battle of Normandy. Glad you enjoyed the video

[@EclecticWarrior58]

A great story well told, new subscriber here.

[@geordiedog1749]

Ah! Welcome back Bonny lad.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks kidda!

[@MrBook123456]

good one

[@alneal100]

I don't hear Geordie accents on KZbin very often. I live near Seattle, but I am originally from Lobley Hill, Gateshead. My uncle Len was killed in Normandy on Sunday, July 23red, 1944.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

I'm a Wallsend lad but now live in Cramlington after leaving the RAF. Glad you found my channel.

[@alneal100]

@@TheNorthernHistorian Me too. Nice to meet you.

[@douglasdown7365]

On June 6th, My Dad was in RAF 233 Squadron, RCAF FO R.S.Down captain of FZ679 and took off at 23:18 two planes ahead of Lord who took off at 23:20. Also, on Sept 19th, Dad was doing a supply run with another AC for MG and got diverted to Brussels.The other plane, FO Byrnes, had engines cut and crashed. The next day Dad flew back with that crew. Dad's plane carried 281 Jerry cans of petrol, the other plane crashed with food and meds!!! On the 21st, Byrnes & crew flew to Arhnem for a supply drop and the Canadians got slaughtered. They survive again!!! Dad & crew didn't fly that day? I made contact with the daughter of the Nav and we share info off and on. Thx

[@foreverpinkf.7603]

A true unsung hero.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Agreed!

[@johncollins5178]

What a VERY brave man, a VERY brave crew! I spent the majority of my RAF career in Doncaster - Finningley - Northern radar (Lindholme) - Finningley. Re the DC-2, I thought the 'Dakota' was the larger DC-3 or C-47 Skytrain as the Americans called theirs?

[@10_rds_Fire_For_Effect]

Correct. The Dakota was the RAF terminology for the military C-47 Skytrain. The non military civilian variant is simply the Douglas DC-3..

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

Lord and King, Apt.

[@twotone3070]

Most of us have no idea and my hat goes off to those that do.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Hats off indeed.

[@peterallen2904]

At 5.50. Down Ampney is and always was in Gloucestershire.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks for the correction

[@167curly]

Lord was a very valourous man.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

He was indeed

[@davidgaston738]

would we have these heros again when it comes to the crunch

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Hopefully we would never need to find out. I am, however, optimistic that we would.

[@barrymcmanmon9595]

Always@@TheNorthernHistorian

[@philgiglio7922]

Yes. Heroes and leaders always make an appearance when the shit hits the fan

[@BrianTimmins-pw6jn]

Comedian Jimmy Edwards dfc was in the same squadron.

[@MobileGifte]

Bh

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

As if your beginning your title with the words "Flight Lieutenant" wasn't impressive enough, the man ended it with both a DFC _and_ and VC! ❤

[@j.dunlop8295]

Posthumously, is dead, suicidal exhaust soldiers, being seen as brave is always REMF thing!😅

[@secretagent86]

Respect

[@hakswalburghschmidt7995]

I met a man from Wrexham who had personally known David Lord. He was a Glider Pilot at the Battle of Arnhem, watched Lord's Dakota crash. But not until after the war did he find out that the plane was flown by David Lord. This man told me his Arnhem story and I helped him find out what had happened to the 25 men that he had flown into the Battle at Arnhem. The search has been documented in the book NO RETURN FLIGHT, 13 platoon at Arnhem. In it he mentions David Lord. Check Morley Williams on youtube.

[@stephenhall3515]

I wonder if the crew members were all in agreement with the second run and if they also received posthumous medals -- and pensions for dependents.

[@janrobertbos]

...a TRUE hero!!!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Indeed he was

[@andrewclark5444]

The air dispatchers were members of the royal army service.corps

[@northwalesmod]

DESPATCHERS not Dispatchers

[@timothyheald6637]

I met a lady who had been in the RAF in the War and who knew of David Lord and his crew. Apparently DL was known as “Lummie Lord”, as he never swore. His navigator, who survived, was nicknamed “Harry the Horse”. I heard an interesting anecdote as to why he was the only survivor.

[@jonmurphy4218]

Can anyone recall In the movie A Bridge Too Far was this scene recreated for the movie, it really should have, if not. They were built different back then.

[@ottovonbismarck2443]

Yes it was. Within the part where the RAF drops supplies shortly after Gen. Urquart's return to HQ. There was one low flying Dakota in the movie - one engine on fire - which flew low over Hotel Hartgenstein. In the movie, it crashed behind a line of trees (it actually didn't, if you watch carefully, you still see the aircraft flying behind the trees). I can't remember if they dropped something. Then another Dakota drops a last single container in no-mans land. One para tries to recover the container and gets snipered for a load of new berets - which is the more tragic scene. I didn't know the background either, but I've seen ABtf as often as Star Wars that I remember the scene. Attenborough had many veterans as advisers. Btw, here's a link to the full movie; have fun. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGeyaaWCjadqh8k

[@stuartofblyth]

The Hartenstein Hotel is now the Airborne Museum 'Hartenstein', dedicated to the Arnhem landings. A memorial in the garden reads: TO THE PEOPLE OF GELDERLAND 50 years ago British & Polish Airborne soldiers fought here against overwhelming odds to open the way into Germany and bring the war to an early end. Instead we brought death and destruction, for which you have never blamed us. This stone marks our admiration for your great courage, remembering especially the women who tended our wounded. In the long winter that followed your families risked death by hiding Allied soldiers and airmen, while members of the Resistance helped many to safety. You took us then into your homes as fugitives and friends, we took you forever into our hearts. This strong bond will continue long after we are all gone. 1944 ~ SEPTEMBER ~ 1994

[@20chocsaday]

That bridge looked surprisingly small among the modern buildings.

[@brianingarfill1773]

in 1964 I was given the honor to represent 10 Para Support Co (TA) to be part of the annual honor guard to drop into the same DZ, while in Arnhem I visited the Commonwealth graves of the military people who lost their lives in this battle and took a photo of Flt Lt David Lord VC, DFC head stone after being told of his heroic dead on that day.

[@StuartH922]

Every time come across this I think of the dispatchers in the back throwing the canisters out.

[@10_rds_Fire_For_Effect]

The aircraft was a Douglas C-47 Skytrain. DC-3 is the designation for the non military/civilian variant. The term "Dakota" was the RAF terminology for the military version C-47 Skytrain, not for the civilian version DC-3.

[@marvinrobinson8519]

What a HERO!! A BIG "Thank you!!!" from ther United States.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

You're very welcome.

[@kenstrobel2765]

Thank you for taking the time to tell this story. I new Joseph Bessolo, who was a B17 pilot with the 91st at Bassingborn. He and his crew story should be told as well. You have inspired me to do so. Is the film footage shown at the end of the video file footage or that of the actual aircraft and crew. The port wing still seems intact as she goes in. Just curious but no bearing on this wonderful story of the bravery of this man and his crew. RIP to him , his crew and all that serviced. My father was with the 1st AD in North Africa and then fought through from Anzio to the Appenines in Italy. He always said that he was "just lucky". Others zigged when he zagged etc. Thanks again for this.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks for the comment Ken. I can't say for sure that the footage is actually Lord's aircraft but it was used for illustrative purposes.

[@raymondyee2008]

Wait wasn’t that referred to in the 1977 movie “A Bridge Too Far”?

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

I have heard mentioned in the comments that there is indeed a scene of striking similarity.

[@EricIrl]

@@TheNorthernHistorian There is indeed.

[@kenknight4560]

The Greatest Generation at a time when the freedom in the world was depending on these men and women. Lord did his duty so that we could be free, may he rest in Heaven.

[@markdavids2511]

He gave his life so that his mates could live. No braver people exist.

[@a-fl-man640]

brave man

[@Pete-tq6in]

A minor correction, the Dakota in RAF service was the equivalent of the USAAF C-47. The DC3 was a civilian variant and RAF examples were only ever known as Dakota Mk.I, Dakota Mk.II or Dakota Mk.III, never ‘DC3’ or ‘C-47’. I’m not sure that DC2’s were ever called ‘Dakota’ by the RAF, but I suspect not, the Dakota name was, as far as I’m aware, reserved for the later DC3/C-47 design.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks Pete. Yes, I've had a few people mention my error.

[@Pete-tq6in]

@@TheNorthernHistorianit doesn’t diminish from your excellent video, by the way, it was about the man, not the machine. I’m just a pedant!

[@adriancash7063]

Surely Dakota was the RAF’s designation for the DC3 not the DC2?

[@brendonrutherford5118]

It surely was the RAF/s designation for the DC-3/C-47 & it was a name (Dakota) that the British purchasing commission actually gave (I believe) to the C-47/s that they purchased for Britain from the USA under "Lend Lease". The name Dakota although obviously American in origin but very much given to this superb transport aircraft by the British & certainly not the Americans!! Although we have a tendancy to simply call anything & everything that resembles a DC-3/C-47/R4D, C-39, C-53 etc, etc a Dakota but the name Dakota in reality only applies to those C-47 aircraft that were purchased by Britain & impressed into the RAF. In the final analysis a true Dakota therefore is one that originally was purchased for the RAF & consequently saw service in that Air Arm & anything else was merely a C-47 & all the other handles that were duly given to this magnificent aircraft!!

[@10_rds_Fire_For_Effect]

The name Dakota only applied to the military C-47 Skytrain and not the DC-3 which is a strictly civilian passenger aircraft. I believe the C-47 was a more sturdily strengthened aircraft than the DC-3.

[@jameslamb4573]

00:23 is that a paratrooper plunging to his death, top left-hand corner? Are you aware of Pilot Officer William McMullen who crashed his Lancaster after flying it away from Darlington and avoiding it falling on houses on 13/01/1945?

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

OMG I just noticed that, I sure hope it's not! I am not aware of Plt Off McMullen. I shall look for more info, thanks.

[@nickdanger3802]

"both Rauter, the SS Security chief for the Netherlands, and one of the officers of Helle’s Dutch SS battalion at Arnhem told him that a British officer was captured on D-Day with the plans for the ground markers and smoke signals.56 The Germans also listened in to British radio signals on No.68P sets which captured paratroopers had not destroyed" page 48/12 Canadian Military History pdf Airborne Communications in Operation Market Garden

[@nilsneumann3399]

🎗🇬🇧🎗from🇩🇪

[@digilyd]

You say the Dakota was/is the DC2. My previous level of information was that it was/is the DC3. Can you eludicate this issue, has an error crept in?

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

It was an ovesight on my part. The DC2 wasn't referred to as Dakota, that was the DC3