Event marks 70 years since the official end of the war in Europe.
A Boeing B-29 Superfortress flies over the Washington Monument on Friday during the WWII plane flyover to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Agence France-Presse via Getty Images)
Dozens of military aircraft from World War II flew over the nation’s capital Friday to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
The historic planes flew at a low altitude, about 1,000 feet, over the Mall. Hundreds of veterans gathered at the World War II Memorial to watch. People lined the roofs of downtown office buildings to catch a glimpse of the planes.
The aircraft were flown in formations to represent the major battles of World War II. One plane that participated in the flyover is the only B-29 Superfortress still flying. The planes that dropped two atomic bombs on Japan were B-29 Superfortresses.
Victory in Europe Day marked the official end of World War II in Europe. The day before, on May 7, 1945, General Alfred Jodl of Germany had surrendered to the Allies — the United States, Britain, France and Russia — in Rheims, France.
On Saturday, many of the historic planes will be displayed at the National Air and Space Museum’s facility in Chantilly, Virginia. The event will also feature World War II reenactors, the Marine Band, a paper airplane contest and other hands-on activities.
Elizabeth Copp, 96, of Falls Church, Virginia, who was a sergeant in the Women's Army Corps during World War II watches as aircraft fly over the World War II Memorial. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
— Wire and staff reports
If you go
What: “Fly-In to Victory Day,”
Where: National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, Virginia.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
How much: The museum is free. Parking is $15.
For more information: A parent can call 703-572-4118 or go towww.airandspace.si.edu.
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