Lloyd Bentley RCAF
Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Bentley joined the air force in October 1941. He was just 20.
For Bentley, a Dakota pilot the D-Day invasion began on the night of June 5 when he dropped a “stick” of paratroopers behind the beaches of Normandy.
Even now, Bentley marvels at the size of the invading force.
“On the way back, we didn’t fly very high. We were only up a couple of thousand feet so I had a really good view of the invading force,” Bentley said. “The ships were so thick down below, I could have walked back on the ships if I had longer legs.
“It was probably the greatest day in military history.”
Bentley, who also served in the Battle of Arnhem, also known as Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands.
Lloyd Bentley RCAF
Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Bentley joined the air force in October 1941. He was just 20.
For Bentley, a Dakota pilot the D-Day invasion began on the night of June 5 when he dropped a “stick” of paratroopers behind the beaches of Normandy.
Even now, Bentley marvels at the size of the invading force.
“On the way back, we didn’t fly very high. We were only up a couple of thousand feet so I had a really good view of the invading force,” Bentley said. “The ships were so thick down below, I could have walked back on the ships if I had longer legs.
“It was probably the greatest day in military history.”
Bentley, who also served in the Battle of Arnhem, also known as Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands.