Pursue the Adventure.

French Air Force, Mirage 2000-5F of the Escadron de chasse ½ Cigognes (Fighter Squadron ½ Storks) displaying the original colors of the unit, then know as Escadrille des Cigognes, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the death of the unit’s most celebrated pilot, Georges Guynemer.

The unit still proudly uses the stork as its symbol, although with a more practical camouflage pattern. 

What the 4th gen jets see:

Lol. Now that I’m older, I’m sassier and will just tell you that I’m trying very hard to see my Bae from your perspective but I can’t get my head that far up my as*

Some American fighter planes of the Second World War and their namesakes:

Grumman F4F Wildcat

Lockheed P-38 Lighting

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

North American P-51 Mustang

Supermarine Spitfire

Hawker Hurricane

Focke Wulf 190

B-25 Mitchell

Hawker Hurricane

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

June the 6th 1940, a Farman 4 engines airplane named Jules Vernes (planes are masculine in french) took off to bomb Berlin. This plane was destined to be used by Air France but had been quickly militarized to compensate the evident lack of bombers in the Armée de l'Air. Conducted by the corvet Captain Dailliere (Aéronautique Navale), it has successfully bombed several targets before the raid on Berlin. For this raid the plane took off with a ton overload from Mérignac, which had a very long runway. It dropped 8 bombs of 250 kg and 80 incendiary bombs of 10 kg (which were hand-dropped!) on a Berlin factory. The bomber came back without trouble to land at Chartres.

   Looking out over the peaceful sands of Normandy Beach today, you’d call it many things: beautiful, serene, calm. But on this day, 75 years ago, it was anything but that.

   On this day, back in 1944, young men far from home staged the biggest land invasion in history. They were the spearhead of the Allied forces. Failure was not an option.

   Many arrived by boat, others arrived by aircraft. Jumping off of the ramps as soon as they opened. Many were cut down by German ammunition, but many others made it far enough to give the German army a taste of our own. Paratroopers leapt down from the skies, landing behind the lines and watching out for the foot soldiers on the beaches below. It was a team effort, and all the players played their part perfectly.

  That perfection became one of the very many steps towards a liberated France, a free continent, and a safe planet. Those men were many of a tough generation. They carried the weight of the world on their shoulders, and any slip could result in failure. They never slipped, and they never backed down.

   And today, those few are amongst us. Spreading their story of how the landings on Normandy, Omaha, Utah, and all the other beaches took mankind forward into a lifetime of peace. They exist amongst us as the few of a great generation. And looking out over the white markers of those who lost their lives in the name of freedom, you realize they, too, are heroes. They died, far from home, all in the name of protecting their homes, their loved ones, and nation. Be it from Britain, Canada, the US, or any other allied nation, they gave their lives for a cause that would end up great to man.

  And today, as you look out over the sands of Normandy Beach, remember that no matter how tranquil it may be, the silent air and the rolling waves, the brave young men that landed there 75 years ago have made that possible. The freedoms we have today wouldn’t be here if not for the souls lost on Normandy, and for those that fought their way to Berlin. Remember the cost of freedom on this day, the day that changed history, and always remember the sacrifice of few, that lead to the liberation of many.

Thank you to those brave men from 75 years ago, whether they shed blood or not, for keeping the world free.

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months.

The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.

In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944. Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man.

 Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. 

The tide has turned. The free men of the world are marching together to victory.

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory.

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

Dwight D Eisenhower, message to Allied troops prior to the invasion of Normandy, June 6th 1944.