[Larry]

It is said that 354th FG Mustangs took off at 21.00 hours on the 5th of June 1944, to escort Douglas C-47 to Normandy for the airborne operations starting at around 00.30 hours on 6th June.

I appreciate that there was double summertime in use during the war, so what time in use in the UK / Normandy would it get dark, and when would it be sun rise?

Apparently the 354th FG were diverted to Christchurch due to bad weather and arrived overhead in the dark, and despite there being a pundit light set up to guide them many carried on circling till they could have just a bit more daylight to land.

Out of interest (or ignorance) would a 9pm take-off on 5th June be too early, and warn the Germans of our intentions? And what use the escorts in the darkness?