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| D-Day 70th anniversary marked by Welsh veterans | D-Day 70th anniversary marked by Welsh veterans |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Welsh veterans of the D-Day landings in World War Two have returned to northern France to mark the 70th anniversary of the mission which ultimately led to victory over Nazi Germany. | Welsh veterans of the D-Day landings in World War Two have returned to northern France to mark the 70th anniversary of the mission which ultimately led to victory over Nazi Germany. |
| They were among around 2,000 surviving veterans attending events to honour the bravery of those involved. | |
| The Queen has attended the ceremonies with 18 heads of state and government. | |
| First Minister Carwyn Jones met Welsh veterans of D-Day there, saying: "We owe them a debt of gratitude." | |
| Commemoration events to mark the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France began on Thursday, with Prince Charles among the dignitaries. | Commemoration events to mark the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France began on Thursday, with Prince Charles among the dignitaries. |
| Events taking place across Wales include: | Events taking place across Wales include: |
| Between 2,500 and 4,000 Allied troops are thought to have died on 6 June 1944 when a force of around 156,000 - mainly from Britain, the US and Canada - landed on the beaches of Normandy. | Between 2,500 and 4,000 Allied troops are thought to have died on 6 June 1944 when a force of around 156,000 - mainly from Britain, the US and Canada - landed on the beaches of Normandy. |
| As many as 9,000 Germans are also estimated to have lost their lives in one of the key turning points of the war. | As many as 9,000 Germans are also estimated to have lost their lives in one of the key turning points of the war. |
| A special UK-French service of remembrance organised by the Royal British Legion took place at Bayeux Cathedral and cemetery on Friday and was followed by an international ceremony on Sword Beach, one of the key landing sites for British forces. | |
| The 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers was the only Welsh battalion to take part in the D-Day landings, going ashore with approximately 600 men. | The 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers was the only Welsh battalion to take part in the D-Day landings, going ashore with approximately 600 men. |
| Mr Jones said: "The D-Day landings were the most important Allied operation of the Second World War and it is fitting that countries from across the world are in Normandy today to commemorate the courage, strength and will of all those who participated and changed the course of our history. | Mr Jones said: "The D-Day landings were the most important Allied operation of the Second World War and it is fitting that countries from across the world are in Normandy today to commemorate the courage, strength and will of all those who participated and changed the course of our history. |
| "Commemorative events such as these ensure that we never forget the sacrifices that were made by ordinary people from communities across Wales, who were made extraordinary by these circumstances. | "Commemorative events such as these ensure that we never forget the sacrifices that were made by ordinary people from communities across Wales, who were made extraordinary by these circumstances. |
| "The freedom for which they fought is just as relevant to us today, which is why we must ensure that we pass this history on through the generations. | "The freedom for which they fought is just as relevant to us today, which is why we must ensure that we pass this history on through the generations. |
| "It is an honour to have the opportunity to meet with the Welsh veterans who continue to travel to Normandy in remembrance of what happened here 70 years ago. | "It is an honour to have the opportunity to meet with the Welsh veterans who continue to travel to Normandy in remembrance of what happened here 70 years ago. |
| "We owe them a debt of gratitude." | "We owe them a debt of gratitude." |
| Phil Jones, Wales area manager for the Royal British Legion, added: "These great veterans and the freedoms they helped secure will be rightly honoured. | Phil Jones, Wales area manager for the Royal British Legion, added: "These great veterans and the freedoms they helped secure will be rightly honoured. |
| "The Royal British Legion here in Wales and across the UK is proud to remember and support them and veterans and armed forces families of all generations." | "The Royal British Legion here in Wales and across the UK is proud to remember and support them and veterans and armed forces families of all generations." |