On 6 June 1944—D-Day—three C-47 Skytrain aircraft from the 440th Troop Carrier Group were lost over France. Their serial codes were 42-100733, 42-100905, and 42-100914. These aircraft had been part of the vital airborne operation that dropped elements of the 101st Airborne Division near Carentan, deep behind enemy lines. Despite the losses, the Group pressed on with unwavering resolve.

The very next day, operational sorties resumed with a continuous stream of supply drops to support the advancing Allied forces. This sustained effort earned the 440th Troop Carrier Group a Distinguished Unit Commendation—recognition of their bravery, precision, and critical contribution to the success of the invasion.

Even in the weeks following D-Day, the Group remained active, flying resupply missions into France as the Allied advance continued. While the 95th, 96th, and 97th Squadrons had already departed Exeter shortly after the invasion, the 98th Troop Carrier Squadron remained at the airfield until 7 August, before relocating to RAF Ramsbury.

On 11 September 1944, the headquarters of the 440th Troop Carrier Group was officially established at their new base in Reims, France (Advanced Landing Ground A-62D). Just two days later, on 13 September, the final air echelon departed Exeter—bringing to a close the American chapter at Station 463.

RAF Exeter had played a pivotal role in one of the most significant operations of the Second World War. The legacy of those who served, and those who were lost, remains deeply woven into the fabric of the airfield’s history.

The 440th was disbanded deactivated on 18 October 1945.
 

Echoes of Departure – Exeter Inn and the Eve of D-Day

For many of the American airmen stationed at RAF Exeter, the local pub of choice was the Exeter Inn in Clyst Honiton—formerly known as Honiton Clyst. It became a cherished gathering place, where laughter, music, and the camaraderie of shared purpose filled the evenings. No doubt, many a lively night was had within its walls, offering a brief respite from the weight of war.

As D-Day approached, however, the mood shifted. USAAF personnel were confined to base, and all details of the impending invasion were shrouded in secrecy. The people of Exeter and the surrounding villages knew nothing of the operation—only that, quite suddenly, the Americans seemed to vanish. It was a silence that spoke volumes.

The only clues came in the days leading up to 5 June 1944: an intensification of training activity, the hum of engines, and the unmistakable tension in the air. Then, in the late hours of 5 June and into the early morning of the 6th, the skies erupted with the thunder of over forty C-47 Skytrains lifting off in massive formations. The sound must have stirred every soul in Clyst Honiton and the neighbouring villages—an unforgettable roar that marked the beginning of Operation Overlord.

Only after the fact did the truth emerge: those aircraft had carried paratroopers bound for Normandy. The Americans had not disappeared—they had taken flight into history.