Grant Shapps vows to find more planes for mass parachute D-Day drop
Daily MailGrant Shapps today vowed to find more planes for a mass parachute jump to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Former Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois, whose father fought at D-Day, said: 'Given the Parachute Regiment's crucial role on D-Day, it would be a great shame if we had to curtail a commemorative airborne drop, because of lack of suitable RAF aircraft. A Parachute Regiment source, said: 'While we don't put on a big show every year, the 80th anniversary is being seen as special as it's probably the last milestone for surviving veterans.' King Charles, who completed the Army's parachute training course on being appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the Parachute Regiment in June 1977, will join American President Joe Biden, Armed Forces personnel and the last remaining D-Day veterans. In a statement, the MoD said the 'comprehensive programme of tributes from today's Armed Forces to their forebears' would include a 'commemorative jump by UK paratroopers from an A400M on June 5 alongside Allied counterparts'.
History of this topic
A mass parachute jump over Normandy kicks off commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Associated Press
Grant Shapps vows he WILL find more planes for mass parachute drop to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day landings after fury that defence cuts had left just ONE available
Daily Mail
D-Day 80th anniversary parachute jumps face cutbacks with only one plane available
The Telegraph
94-year-old D-day veteran to parachute into Normandy to mark 75th anniversary
The IndependentDiscover Related