WEBVTT 00:01.360 --> 00:03.940 In remembrance of the 434th history . 00:03.950 --> 00:06.670 During world war I I 80 years ago , we 00:06.679 --> 00:08.457 take a look at our predecessors 00:08.457 --> 00:12.189 activities leading up to 6th June 1944 . 00:12.229 --> 00:15.100 The invasion of Normandy France in the 00:15.109 --> 00:18.489 winter of 43 the 4 34th was the only 00:18.500 --> 00:20.899 troop carrier unit to conduct sizable 00:20.909 --> 00:23.076 training drops with airborne troops in 00:23.076 --> 00:26.530 England . By February 1944 the 4 00:26.540 --> 00:29.399 34th was deemed highly proficient in 00:29.409 --> 00:31.760 parachute drop procedures and formation 00:31.770 --> 00:34.099 flying . This experience led them to 00:34.110 --> 00:36.340 being transferred to the 53rd troop 00:36.349 --> 00:38.619 carrier wing which specialized in 00:38.886 --> 00:41.636 towing . However , in February of 44 00:41.645 --> 00:43.701 thousands of flight hours were still 00:43.701 --> 00:46.686 ahead of the 4 34th throughout March . 00:46.695 --> 00:49.776 The 4 34th conducted six training drops 00:49.785 --> 00:52.105 with glider towing flights conducted 00:52.116 --> 00:55.105 nearly every day on 12 to 13 . March . 00:55.116 --> 00:57.305 The 4 34th took part in a night 00:57.316 --> 00:59.645 paratroop drop . The largest training 00:59.655 --> 01:02.026 evolution before the D day operation . 01:02.085 --> 01:04.461 This training operation confirmed the 01:04.472 --> 01:07.262 feasibility of the overlord attack plan . 01:07.522 --> 01:10.092 The 434 was conducting glider towing 01:10.101 --> 01:12.482 flights nearly three times a day every 01:12.491 --> 01:16.281 day . By mid April 1944 the 4 34th 01:16.291 --> 01:18.472 flew the largest number of practice 01:18.482 --> 01:20.426 missions of any group in the troop 01:20.426 --> 01:22.571 carrier command . In the coming days 01:22.582 --> 01:24.781 and months , we'll track the 434 s 01:24.791 --> 01:26.582 progress throughout world war . I , I .