Two Fathers, Two Sons

The year 1944, the month June, the day the 6th. The commencement of the invasion of Europe with Operation Neptune to transport 160,000 troops across the English Channel to land in Normandy as the amphibious assault component of Operation Overlord – also known as D-Day.

Time 05.00 hrs, HMS Melbreak, a Type III Hunt Class Destroyer, having crossed the Channel escorting the US Navy battleships and cruisers, including USS Arkansas and USS Texas and the remainder of Bombardment Force C commenced the shelling of the 8 mile stretch of Omaha Beach. The first wave of approximately 3,500 US rangers supported by tanks hit the beaches at 06.00 hrs. All did not go well due to rough seas and strong opposition.

Before the second wave arrived at 07.00 three Royal Navy destroyers Melbreak, Talybont and Tanatside were ordered to close on the shore to bombard at close quarters. This action proved pivotal and allowed the second wave to make progress from the beachhead.

Meanwhile further east along the coast Canadian Army and a unit from Royal Marine Commando had landed on Juno Beach. Following the initial bombardment Infantry and tank landing craft began their assault on the beaches. By 08.00 troops and vehicles were on the beach but meeting heavy resistance so much so that when the following wave, including LCT 856 (Landing Craft Tank) arrived the beach was heavily congested. It wasn’t till after 13.00 hrs that a breakout from the beachhead occurred and progress inland commenced.

So what is the link? On LCT 856 the Engineering Officer (Motor Mechanic) was Joe Panton. On HMS Melbreak the Gunnery Officer was Arthur Jackson (‘Guns’). Two fathers in one battle maybe 40 kilometres apart and unknown to each other.

Up in the sky was a pilot from the Royal New Zealand Air Force Squadron Leader J. A. ‘Johnnie’ Houlton in a Spitfire. The RAF fighters had arrived over beaches mid-afternoon and, accompanied by another Spitfire they were tasked with providing air cover for the beaches. Johnnie Houlton was leading Blue Section when he spotted a German Ju.88 opening fire, after a short pursuit, at a range of 500 yards he hit the starboard engine which disintegrated, the two crew baled out and the first enemy aircraft downed on D-Day crashed on to a roadway below. That Spitfire was ML407.

Fast Forward…

In December 2022 VTST were approached by an independent Film Production Company Panton Film Productions to ask if we could consider showing a new film based on the role of the late Johnny Johnson, the Last Dambuster, during the Operation Chastise raid on the Sorpe Dam. The film was due for release in May 2023. We accepted and agreed to assist with some printing and supplemental publicity work.

So roll the years forward from 1944 to the year 2023, the month September, the day the 28th

So it was that two sons came together, Andrew Panton, Film Director and Producer and Bob Jackson, VTST Central Stores Manager arrived at Sywell Airfield to participate in a unique experience. We were going to fly in tandem in a two-seater P-51 Mustang and a two-seater Spitfire over the Leicestershire country.

But what made the day even more special was that with Andrew in the P51-Mustang and Bob in the Spitfire… not just any Spitfire it was actually none other than ML407, the very aircraft that flew top cover for the troops and naval personnel and in particular the sons respective fathers 79 years before, especially poignant given that Bob was in the Spitfire that was over Omaha Beach when his father was there in 1944.

So, a fantastic day of flight with tandem turns, tandem loops and low level flypast in front of family and friends.