Veterans Gather in Normandy to Mark 81st Anniversary of D-Day Landings
Veterans and thousands of onlookers are gathering on the beaches of Normandy to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings, a pivotal moment in World War II that ultimately led to the collapse of Adolf Hitler’s regime. The Independent has learned that tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the commemorations, which include parachute jumps, remembrance ceremonies, parades, and historical re-enactments.
According to The Independent, many of those attending will be there to cheer on the ever-dwindling number of surviving veterans in their late 90s and older, while also remembering the thousands who lost their lives during the invasion. The June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France used the largest-ever armada of ships, troops, planes, and vehicles to breach Hitler’s defenses in western Europe. As The Independent reports, a total of 4,414 Allied troops were killed on D-Day itself.
The ensuing Battle of Normandy saw 73,000 Allied forces killed and 153,000 wounded, while around 20,000 French civilians lost their lives due to the battle and Allied bombings of French villages and cities. The Independent notes that the exact German casualties are unknown, but historians estimate between 4,000 and 9,000 men were killed, wounded, or missing during the D-Day invasion alone.
"The heroism, honor, and sacrifice of the Allied forces on D-Day will always resonate with the U.S. Armed Forces and our Allies and partners across Europe," said Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds, deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. "So let us remember those who flew and fell. Let us honor those who survived and came home to build a better world. And let us ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain by meeting today’s challenges with the same resolve, the same clarity of purpose, and the same commitment to freedom." This statement was reported by The Independent.
The Independent has confirmed that nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed on D-Day, with 73,000 from the United States and 83,000 from Britain and Canada. Forces from several other countries were also involved, including French troops fighting with Gen. Charles de Gaulle. The Allies faced around 50,000 German forces. More than 2 million Allied soldiers, sailors, pilots, medics, and other people from a dozen countries were involved in the overall Operation Overlord, the battle to wrest western France from Nazi control that started on D-Day.
As The Independent reports, the commemorations will serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the Allied forces during World War II. The events will also provide an opportunity for people to come together and pay their respects to those who lost their lives during the D-Day landings and the subsequent Battle of Normandy.
The legacy of D-Day continues to be felt today, with the bravery and sacrifice of the Allied forces serving as an inspiration to people around the world. As The Independent notes, it is essential that we remember the events of D-Day and continue to honor the memories of those who fought and died for our freedom.
Source: The Independent
