France marks 75 years since D-Day landings in Normandy, which portended end of Nazi occupation of Europe
Guests attend a Service of Remembrance at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bayeux for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, Normandy, north-western France, June 6, 2019.
Leaders, veterans, their families and the grateful from France, Europe and elsewhere were present for the solemn day that began under a radiant sun. Britain's Prince Charles, his wife Camilla and Prime Minister Theresa May attended a service of World War II remembrance at the medieval cathedral in Bayeux, the first Normandy town liberated by Allied troops after D-Day. Cardinal Marc Ouellet read a message from Pope Francis with a tribute for those who "gave their lives for freedom and peace."
They were taking part in a ceremony laying the cornerstone of a new memorial that will record the names of thousands of troops under British command who died on D-Day and ensuing Battle of Normandy. Passing on memories is especially urgent, with hundreds of World War II veterans now dying every day.The biggest-ever air and seaborne invasion took place on D-Day, involving more than 150,000 troops that day itself and many more in the ensuing Battle of Normandy. Troops started landing overnight from the air, they were joined by a massive force by the sea on the beaches code-named Omaha, Utah, Juno, Sword and Gold, carried by 7,000 boats.