06/06/2026
The D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Along with the associated airborne operations, it marked the beginning of the liberation of France and Western Europe
In the early hours of D-Day, 24,000 paratroopers and glider-borne troops landed behind German lines, then a ground force of more than 130,000 troops came ashore on five beaches across a 50-mile stretch of Normandy coast, with the first waves often facing intact defences.
By the end of D-Day there had been 10,000 allied casualties. Yet this was only the beginning.
The ensuing Battle of Normandy was to last into August and cost tens of thousands of lives as it defeated and repulsed the occupying German forces eastwards. It was a decisive success for the Allies and paved the way for the liberation of much of north west Europe.
“Though shadows linger, and wounds still ache,
The world was changed, for goodness sake.
In Normandy's sands, their spirits soar,
Remembered always, forevermore.”
Forever grateful ❤️
