D-Day75
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/d-day-75
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, on 6 June 1944, also known as D-Day. A series of major commemorations is planned to mark this historic occasion, with events planned in the UK and at various locations along the Normandy coast.
The Ministry of Defence is working closely with partners across government and with external agencies to deliver a fitting programme of commemorations for veterans and their families to mark the anniversary. These include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, The Royal British Legion, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and veterans’ groups.
PM words on D-Day commemorations: 5 June 2019
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-words-on-d-day-commemorations-5-june-2019
Prime Minister Theresa May's words ahead of D-Day commemorations.
As she prepares to host leaders and representatives from 15 nations to honour D-Day veterans at historic commemorations in Portsmouth, Theresa May underlined the importance of continued western unity:
The Normandy landings 75 years ago were a moment of historic international cooperation.
And it is right that at the heart of today’s commemorations are the veterans who fought to secure the liberty and the peace that we now enjoy.
The global challenges we face today are different in their origin and nature. But as we confront new and evolving threats to our security it is more important than ever that we continue to stand together in upholding our shared values and way of life.
That’s why the UK has this week committed our Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and F-35 fighter jets to support the efforts of NATO forces to preserve the security and collective defence of our allies.
As I host leaders from around the world today to mark this significant moment in our shared history, we will together reflect on the continued importance of the western alliance for all our countries’ security and prosperity.
And as we unite to pay tribute to those whose bravery and sacrifice on the beaches of Normandy marked a turning point in the Second World War, we will vow never to forget the debt we owe them.
Their solidarity and determination in the defence of our freedom remains a lesson to us all. And we will continue to stand up for the values of democracy, justice and tolerance that so many died to preserve.
D-Day 75: Légion d’Honneur presented to D-Day veterans on HMS Belfast
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/d-day-75-legion-dhonneur-presented-to-d-day-veterans-on-hms-belfast
Veterans awarded France’s highest honour one hundred days before 75th anniversary of Normandy Landings
Four British Royal Navy veterans were awarded France’s highest honour today for their service in helping to liberate France almost 75 years ago.
The French government awarded medals to Denis Haley, Charles Kavanagh, Patrick Reardon and John Nicholls, who all took part in the allied Normandy Landings, as a way of honouring them for risking their lives to secure France’s liberation in the Second World War.
Since June 2014, more than six thousand medals have been awarded by the French government.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
Today is a reminder of why this June we must show our special generation, that we will never forget the debt we owe for the peace and freedom we now enjoy. I would like to thank the French Embassy for their efforts in honouring these men for helping to liberate Europe 75 years ago.
HMS Belfast is a perfect setting and I would like to commend IWM for an ambitious programme of events across their UK sites that offers people the chance to experience the extraordinary story of D-Day at their doorstep.
Denis Haley, 92, served as a signalman aboard HMS Southward Ho towing parts of the mulberry harbour from Portsmouth to Arromanches. He said:
A lot of the things that occurred at that time are lost to people’s memories now especially the relationship between members of a ship’s company – you become more than mates, you share things. It was my whole life for nearly 4 years. It’s a very, very, very special day today. I’m absolutely overwhelmed.
Patrick Reardon, 93, volunteered for D-Day aboard HMS Sheffield, landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day.
John Nicholls, 93, served on HMS Argonaut, firing on German gun batteries on Normandy and driving landing craft to deliver supplies from ship to shore.
Charles Kavanagh, 92, helped to land tanks on Sword beach on D-Day and then supplies for the American Army on Omaha beach.
One hundred days to D-Day 75
With one hundred days to go until D-Day 75 commemorations in the UK and France, the event offered the chance for the veterans who took part in the Normandy landings in 1944 to share their stories and experiences.
The medal presentation took place on board the historic landmark HMS Belfast in its Ward Room with the medals presented by French Ambassador Jean-Pierre Jouyet with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson in attendance.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson toured the vessel alongside the French Ambassador to hear how the Imperial War Museum will retell the magnificent land, air and sea story through its Second World War collection and its three historic sites: HMS Belfast, IWM Duxford and the Churchill War Rooms.
D-Day 75: Veterans to be saluted by land, sea and air in June
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/d-day-75-veterans-to-be-saluted-by-land-sea-and-air-in-june
More than 4,000 Armed Forces personnel will lead the nation in marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day with major commemorative events in Portsmouth and Normandy in June.
A major national commemorative event on Southsea Common in Portsmouth will be attended by D-Day veterans, VIP guests and service personnel.
Members of the public are invited to attend the commemorations in Portsmouth, where a flypast of 26 Royal Air Force aircraft will salute the veterans in gratitude for their service.
Up to 300 veterans, who are now all over 90 years old, will leave Portsmouth on a specially-commissioned ferry to attend events in Normandy on the following day. Up to 11 Royal Navy ships will accompany the veterans as they depart Portsmouth to provide a spectacular salute on the eve of the 75th anniversary.
More than 4,000 Armed Forces personnel will lead the nation in marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day with major commemorative events in Portsmouth and Normandy in June.
A major national commemorative event on Southsea Common in Portsmouth will be attended by D-Day veterans, VIP guests and service personnel.
Members of the public are invited to attend the commemorations in Portsmouth, where a flypast of 26 Royal Air Force aircraft will salute the veterans in gratitude for their service.
Up to 300 veterans, who are now all over 90 years old, will leave Portsmouth on a specially-commissioned ferry to attend events in Normandy on the following day. Up to 11 Royal Navy ships will accompany the veterans as they depart Portsmouth to provide a spectacular salute on the eve of the 75th anniversary.
At 0726 on 6 June, a lone piper of the British Army will play at Arromanches in Normandy to mark the exact moment the first British soldier landed on Gold Beach.
Later that morning, the Normandy Memorial Trust’s statue will be inaugurated by senior UK and French figures in a ceremony at Ver-sur-Mer.
Service personnel will then join veterans at Bayeux Cathedral and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Bayeux War Cemetery for The Royal British Legion’s traditional annual commemorative ceremonies.
D-Day 75 events in the UK and France
A series of events will be taking place in the UK and France, to commemorate the lives lost on 6 June 1944 and during the ensuing Battle of Normandy.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/d-day-75-events-in-the-uk-and-france
About D-Day
This June will mark 75 years since the historic Normandy Landings, the largest amphibious assault in history. On 6 June 1944, an Allied invasion force of 156,000 troops landed in Normandy. Supporting the invasion were more than 7,000 ships and smaller vessels off the coast and 11,000 aircraft. In total, British, Commonwealth and Allied casualties (killed, wounded or missing) on D-Day numbered approximately 4,300. The invasion established a crucial second front in the liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation, ultimately leading to victory for Allied Forces in 1945.
United Kingdom events
5 June To signify the importance of Portsmouth’s role in the Normandy Landings as a major embarkation point for the Allied forces, there will be a series of events commencing on the 5 June.
At 11:30am The D-Day 75 National Commemorative Event will take place on Southsea Common. Veterans will join today’s Armed Forces and VIPs for a BBC programme of live music, performance and flypasts. Large screens will be provided on the common for members of the public who wish to watch the event.
At 12:45pm (approx) A Royal Navy frigate will fire a naval gun salute followed by a spectacular flypast of up to 25 historic and modern RAF aircraft including the Red Arrows and the iconic spitfire.
At 4:00pm The Red Arrows will return for a breath-taking display of speed and agility above Southsea Common.
At 6:25pm The Royal British Legion’s specially chartered ship, the MV Boudicca, will set sail from Portsmouth with 300 veterans to Normandy. HMS St Albans, a Type-23 Royal Navy frigate, will escort the MV Boudicca along with four smaller Royal Navy vessels. Royal Navy ships docked in port will pay their respects, before the ship emerges into the Solent to be met by a flotilla of Royal Navy vessels who will sail past her in salute with sailors lining the decks. Members of the public are encouraged to line key vantage points to wave off the veterans as they retrace the journey they made in 1944.
At 7:40pm (approx) The RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will fly over Portsmouth to mark the departure of The Royal British Legion’s ship.
A series of commemorative events and activities organised by Portsmouth City Council will take place from Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 June in the city, from concerts to film screenings, The Portsmouth Revival Festival and more.
6 June
In partnership with The Royal British Legion, the National Memorial Arboretum will hold a service of Remembrance for D-Day in Staffordshire from 10.30 am. Coverage from the events in France will be relayed on a large screen afterwards.
In the UK, screens at Southsea Common and Portsmouth Guildhall Square will relay The Royal British Legion’s commemorative events in Bayeux, France.
France events
5 June
At 3:00pm (local time) members of the British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade will drop over Sannerville, Normandy from RAF Hercules aircraft and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s C-47 Dakota. They will jump along with French Army paratroopers to recreate the famous airborne landings. Shortly after, the organisation ‘Daks over Normandy’ will drop veterans and reenactors from over 30 Dakotas.
In the evening the British Army will support events taking place at Pegasus Bridge.
6 June
At 7.26 am (local time), the British Army will mark the exact moment the first British soldier landed on Gold beach with a Lone Piper playing on the Mulberry harbour at Arromanches in Normandy.
In Ver-Sur-Mer, The Normandy Memorial Trust’s D-Day statue will be inaugurated in the presence of senior leaders, military musicians and Armed Forces personnel.
Later in the morning in Bayeux, the first town liberated by the Allied forces, The Royal British Legion will hold events commencing with a service at Bayeux Cathedral and followed by a service at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Bayeux War Cemetery. A tri-service Guard of Honour and military musicians will support the ceremony.
For more details, please visit The Royal British Legion website and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.
In the afternoon British veterans will begin to parade into the square in Arromanches at 3:15pm (local) for a series of informal events hosted by the local authority. There will be music from the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment.
At 4:25pm (local) The remaining Royal British Legion veterans will arrive to enjoy music and parachute displays and flypasts by the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Events in Arromanches will conclude with a firework display at 11:30pm (local).