06/06/2024
80 years ago today almost 133,000 troops from the United Kingdom,and their allies from all over the world, landed on D-Day. By June 30, over 850,000 men, 148,000 vehicles, and 570,000 tons of supplies had landed on the Normandy shores.
This began the liberation of Europe, my father was in the RAF before during and after the war. He told me stories of his time in the forces before the war and after but like many of his contemporaries he spoke very little about his war time experiences.
The year before he died the doctor advised my mother that if she wanted a final holiday then that was time to do so. We discussed it and we booked a trip to Northern France, we droved through Normandy and as we passed a road sign for Caen and my father said in passing I have been there. I asked when and he said June 1944. He would say little else on the subject. I researched this and found out that the RAF's mission had been to support the Allies in seizing a lodgement area on the French Normandy coast between Le Harve and Cherbourg.
On return from that trip my father gave me the document in the photo below, which I believe had been given to all soldiers, sailors and airman taking part in the operation.
I am naturally very proud of my father and his service to King and country and am also mindful of all those that give their lives not just on Day but all through the war in defence of our country.
Today it's an opportunity to connect with our history and heritage. It's a time to acknowledge the sacrifices made for our freedoms and appreciate the human spirit's enduring strength.
