The British Overseas Airways Company (BOAC) receives their first delivery of the de Havilland Comet, the world’s first commercial jetliner. Employees working at de Havilland gather to witness the departure of the aircraft from the company’s Hatfield airfield aerodrome (Hatfield, Hertfordshire; 3NM NE of St Albans). The de Havilland chief test pilot, John "Cats Eyes" Cunningham, climbs the airstair to board the aircraft. The BOAC de Havilland Comet airplane, registered G-ALYP ("Yoke Peter"), taxis for takeoff. The de Havilland Comet airplane takes off from the airfield. The Comet jet airplane in flight.
British aviation manufacturer de Havilland unveils the prototype of the DH106 Comet 3, a jetliner model derived from the earlier DH106 Comet 1 and 2. The Comet 3 (G-ANLO) reverses into place on the tarmac of de Havilland’s H Hatfield Airfield in Hertfordshire, England. The Comet 3’s tail displays the aircraft identifier (G-ANLO) and the British Union Jack flag.
Queen Elizabeth II visits the British industries fair in Birmingham, England. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and members of the Royal family, visit the fair. The President of the British Board of Trade welcomes Queen Elizabeth II. They are shown a miniature model of the Queen's coronation chair. The miniature coronation chair even has a removable Stone of Scone. Prince Richard (Richard Alexander Walter George), and Prince William (William Henry Andrew Frederick), the sons of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, are seen viewing mechanical models of cars. Sir Miles Thomas, Chairman of British Overseas Airways greets the Royal guests and shows them an aircraft model of the Comet jet liner, the world's fastest passenger plane.
"Victory in Europe Day" or VE Day, in London, England. Prime Minister Winston Churchill and King George VI along with other British high ranking officers outside a building on 'Victory in Europe Day'. Churchill and King George VI enter the building. People gather in large numbers outside Buckingham Palace. British citizens gathered around the Victoria Memorial and celebrating German surrender ending World War 2 in Europe.
Slate,referring to the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, in World War 2, reads "D-Day -3." American soldiers walk close past the camera. View of docks at Weymouth England where several Large Landing Craft Infantry, LCI(L), numbers 497; 84 4; and 97, among others, are unloading U.S. troops onto the docks. Closeup of troops in full combat gear moving across the docks. Some of them wear red cross medic armbands. Troops being settled into Higgins boats. One pulling away with troops aboard, comes from the USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30). Higgins Boats speeding along the water carrying troops out to transport ships. View from the transport ship USS Samuel Chase (APA-26) as some of her Higgins Boats arrive carrying troops. Closeup of troops climbing aboard the Samuel Chase. Various views of troops finding their way on the deck of the ship. Some are seen walking between piles of supplies below decks on the ship.
D-day minus 1 (June 5, 1944) during World War 2. U.S. soldiers eat a meal while seated on the deck of a Large Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L) number 88, docked in Weymouth, England. (This ship would be the first LCI(L) to carry troops to the Easy Red landing zone during the second wave of landings at Omaha beach, on D-Day. Among troops landing there would be the 16th Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, with support from 7th Field Artillery Battalion;1st Engineer Combat Battalion; 1st Medical Battalion; 741st Tank Battalion (DD); 62d Armored Field Artillery Battalion; and 20th Engineer Combat Battalion.) A Captain and a field grade officer sit next to each other on the ship's deck. One soldier looks through his binoculars at an English woman standing outside her back door, looking back at him through her binoculars. Wash is drying on her line. The soldier tries to call out to her, but stops, realizing it is futile. Several of his buddies are amused by the whole event. Scene shifts to U.S. Army Air Forces B-26 bombers flying in formation, and then to aerial views from an aircraft, of bombs exploding on the ground in a city below. Next, a formation of B-17 bombers is seen, escorted by P-47 fighters. Scene shifts back to Weymouth harbor again, where American troops attend a Roman Catholic mass on the pier, adminstered by a military chaplain, wearing traditional clerical garb. LCL(L)s number 89 and 93 are seen tied up in the background. Coast Guardsmen gather around one of their ship's officers who briefs them on the operation.
CRITICALPAST.COM: About Us | Contact Us | FAQs - How to Order | License Agreement | My Account | My Lightboxes | Shopping Cart | Advanced Search | Featured Collections | Website Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy ©2026 CriticalPast LLC.
License Agreement |
Terms & Conditions |
Privacy Policy
©2026 CriticalPast LLC.