PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — “That’s All, Brother”. That is the name of the plane, and the specific reason the plane was chosen for a mission that changed the world during the depths of World War II. This week at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Portage, residents have a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tour and even take a ride in an airplane that led the main airborne invasion in Normandy on June 6, 1944. It’s all thanks to massive efforts by the non-profit organization ‘Commemorative Air Force That’s All, Brother’, who restored the plane just a few years ago, in time to fly again in France for the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
C-47 Airtrain that led D-Day invasion in World War II – Brandon James WKZO
The plane, a Douglas C-47 Airtrain, was constructed during the late years of World War II. It led the formation of 800 other planes from which nearly 13,000 U.S. paratroopers jumped at the beginning of the liberation of France, better known as D-Day. The C-47’s name, painted on its nose, was chosen by Army Air Force Lt. Col. John M. Donalson. He was commander of the 87th Troop Carrier Squadron at the time and considered the name “That’s All, Brother” a direct message to Adolf Hitler that Nazi Germany’s days were numbered.
Pilots Steve Rose and T.J. Cook
After the war, it was returned to the United States and sold to civilian owners. Believe it or not this plane, despite being part of such a world-changing event, eventually fell into neglect. It was located in a boneyard in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 2015. It was then restored and flown once again in 2018 as it became part of the Commemorative Air Force. It is now used around the country and the globe for tours and rides like the one happening in the Kalamazoo area this week.
The plane will remain at the Air Zoo through Thursday, August 5 before it heads to Evansville, Indiana for its next event. Rides take place at 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day with tours throughout the day during those hours.
Information on tickets for tours and rides of can be found by CLICKING HERE
Additional information about the unique history of the plane can be found by CLICKING HERE
I was fortunate enough to be asked to take a media ride in the plane on Monday afternoon and recorded the instructions and take-off from Portage using Facebook live on my page. Below is the video of this incredible experience. – Brandon James
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