This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27737340
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| D-Day anniversary: Veterans mark historic invasion | D-Day anniversary: Veterans mark historic invasion |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Almost 2,000 veterans and world leaders are attending the main commemoration event marking the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France. | |
| They are gathered at Sword Beach in Normandy, one of five landing points for the Allies, where scenes from the 1944 invasion will be recreated. | They are gathered at Sword Beach in Normandy, one of five landing points for the Allies, where scenes from the 1944 invasion will be recreated. |
| The Queen earlier laid a wreath at a cemetery in Bayeux during a ceremony attended by about 400 veterans. | The Queen earlier laid a wreath at a cemetery in Bayeux during a ceremony attended by about 400 veterans. |
| The landings were the first stage of the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. | The landings were the first stage of the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. |
| By the end of D-Day on 6 June 1944, the Allies had established a foothold in France - an event that would eventually help bring the war to an end. | By the end of D-Day on 6 June 1944, the Allies had established a foothold in France - an event that would eventually help bring the war to an end. |
| At the D-Day commemorations | At the D-Day commemorations |
| Caroline Wyatt, BBC defence correspondent | Caroline Wyatt, BBC defence correspondent |
| As the sun rose over Normandy shores this morning, a veteran watched, lost in memories, from the deck of HMS Bulwark. The Royal Navy flagship had sailed the English Channel overnight at the head of an international task group of ships. | As the sun rose over Normandy shores this morning, a veteran watched, lost in memories, from the deck of HMS Bulwark. The Royal Navy flagship had sailed the English Channel overnight at the head of an international task group of ships. |
| For former Royal Marine Corporal Bill Bryant, 89, the sight of the beaches brought back emotional recollections of the same time exactly 70 years ago, as he prepared to drive his landing craft to the shores - carrying his colleagues to their fate on land, amid a barrage of noise and chaos. | For former Royal Marine Corporal Bill Bryant, 89, the sight of the beaches brought back emotional recollections of the same time exactly 70 years ago, as he prepared to drive his landing craft to the shores - carrying his colleagues to their fate on land, amid a barrage of noise and chaos. |
| The contrast with today could not have been greater as he joined many other veterans on "Gold" Beach, amid a festival atmosphere. The sunshine sparkled on the waves, and French families and tourists from across Europe gathered to watch military bands on the main square at Arromanches. | The contrast with today could not have been greater as he joined many other veterans on "Gold" Beach, amid a festival atmosphere. The sunshine sparkled on the waves, and French families and tourists from across Europe gathered to watch military bands on the main square at Arromanches. |
| This doughty but dwindling band of brothers know this may be the last time they meet on these shores. For the veterans, and those who've come to honour them, the ceremonies at Bayeux cemetery are a poignant but powerful reminder of courage and endurance, as D-Day slowly passes from living memory into history. | This doughty but dwindling band of brothers know this may be the last time they meet on these shores. For the veterans, and those who've come to honour them, the ceremonies at Bayeux cemetery are a poignant but powerful reminder of courage and endurance, as D-Day slowly passes from living memory into history. |
| A 21-gun salute and a flypast will also form part of proceedings at Friday's ceremony, which is being attended by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. | |
| During a speech delivered earlier at a US war cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer near Bayeux, French President Francois Hollande said every man who took part in D-Day was a "hero". | During a speech delivered earlier at a US war cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer near Bayeux, French President Francois Hollande said every man who took part in D-Day was a "hero". |
| He said France would never forget what it owed them, nor would it forget its solidarity with the US. | He said France would never forget what it owed them, nor would it forget its solidarity with the US. |
| Also at Colleville-sur-Mer, US President Barack Obama said: "America's claim - our commitment to liberty, to equality, to freedom, to the inherent dignity of every human being - that claim is written in blood on these beaches, and it will endure for eternity". | Also at Colleville-sur-Mer, US President Barack Obama said: "America's claim - our commitment to liberty, to equality, to freedom, to the inherent dignity of every human being - that claim is written in blood on these beaches, and it will endure for eternity". |
| Speaking earlier in the city of Caen, President Hollande said: "This day, which began in chaos and fire, would end in blood and tears, tears and pain, tears and joy at the end of 24 hours that changed the world and forever marked Normandy." | Speaking earlier in the city of Caen, President Hollande said: "This day, which began in chaos and fire, would end in blood and tears, tears and pain, tears and joy at the end of 24 hours that changed the world and forever marked Normandy." |
| Elsewhere, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a Royal British Legion service at Bayeux Cathedral. | Elsewhere, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a Royal British Legion service at Bayeux Cathedral. |
| And the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend events in Arromanches, near Gold landing beach where thousands of British troops came ashore on D-Day. | And the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend events in Arromanches, near Gold landing beach where thousands of British troops came ashore on D-Day. |
| Following a service at Bayeux Cathedral, many veterans left to walk to the nearby military cemetery where nearly 2,000 are now gathered. | Following a service at Bayeux Cathedral, many veterans left to walk to the nearby military cemetery where nearly 2,000 are now gathered. |
| The BBC's Becky Kelly reported that crowds have been bursting into applause as the veterans walk past, some people shouting "thanks". | The BBC's Becky Kelly reported that crowds have been bursting into applause as the veterans walk past, some people shouting "thanks". |
| In other events: | In other events: |
| What was D-Day? | What was D-Day? |
| On 6 June 1944, British, US and Canadian forces invaded the coast of northern France in Normandy. | On 6 June 1944, British, US and Canadian forces invaded the coast of northern France in Normandy. |
| The landings were the first stage of Operation Overlord - the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe - and were intended to end World War Two. | The landings were the first stage of Operation Overlord - the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe - and were intended to end World War Two. |
| Portsmouth's D-Day Museum says as many as 4,413 Allied troops died on the day of the invasion - more than previously thought. | Portsmouth's D-Day Museum says as many as 4,413 Allied troops died on the day of the invasion - more than previously thought. |
| By the end of D-Day, the Allies had established a foothold in France. Within 11 months Nazi Germany was defeated, as Soviet armies swept in from the east and captured Hitler's stronghold in Berlin. | By the end of D-Day, the Allies had established a foothold in France. Within 11 months Nazi Germany was defeated, as Soviet armies swept in from the east and captured Hitler's stronghold in Berlin. |
| Will you be marking the anniversary of D-Day? Were you involved in some way in the Normandy landings? Do you have family who were involved in the action, or the build up to that day? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories, using 'D-Day' in the subject. | Will you be marking the anniversary of D-Day? Were you involved in some way in the Normandy landings? Do you have family who were involved in the action, or the build up to that day? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories, using 'D-Day' in the subject. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |