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D-Day 70th anniversary marked by Welsh veterans | D-Day 70th anniversary marked by Welsh veterans |
(34 minutes 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. | 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. | 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." | 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. | 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: "It's a great honour to be here representing Wales and a greater honour still to be in the company of such brave men who were here 70 years ago on the beaches here. | |
"It's very difficult for us living now to imagine what it must've been like for them, but for them to come back, I'm sure it's exceptionally emotional. | |
"It's been a remarkable event." | |
Mr Jones said commemorative events such as these ensured "that we never forget the sacrifices that were made by ordinary people from communities across Wales, who were made extraordinary by these circumstances". | |
"We owe them a debt of gratitude," he said. | |
One of the veterans attending was Gordon Prime, from Tenby in Pembrokeshire. | |
He said: "I can't get over it. People are wanting to take photographs - it's embarrassing! | |
"We were just ordinary lads when we came in 1944. We just had to do it and get on with the job. | |
"People say, 'were you scared?'. Of course we were scared. Anyone who wasn't scared, they were idiots. | |
"Anyway, we survived some of us, and thank God we're still here today." | |
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." |