Returning to the Beaches

The whole country is united in respect, admiration and awe at the tales of courage told today on the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The scale of the D-Day landings of 6th June 1944 is astonishing and remains the largest combined amphibious and airborne assault in history. However, perhaps more moving than the extraordinary holistic operation, are the tales of individuals told today by the men and women who took on their duty with distinction in those crucial hours.

D-Day signals many messages down the years; such as the pride the British public have for all Military veterans, young and old. And that this is built principally upon faith in good people standing up for what’s right, despite the cost.

It’s a poignant thought that of those 150,000 troops that stormed the Normandy beaches:

Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword, that such a small number remain. Those that have been able to travel to Normandy are almost outnumbered by the 25 or so heads of state that have also come to pay their respects on behalf of grateful nations.

Modesty and the overwhelming nature of high emotion, prevent many D-Day Veterans from talking about their incredible deeds that were the starting point to liberating Nazi occupied France and onto destroying the grip of tyranny in Europe. Nevertheless, the scale of the achievement means that these stories should be told, listened to, and learnt from.

Naturally, the anniversary of D-Day prompts a mix of emotions, from pride to continuing grief for the fallen and even a sense of guilt by those who have survived for so long since. Commemoration, however, is the right path to reiterating the essential reasons why such sacrifice was necessary.

Perhaps the deepest regret felt, even by Veterans who fought 80 years ago, is that pledges for peace are so often ignored, with particular note to the conflicts in Gaza and sadly within Europe, in Ukraine.