D-Day anniversary commemoration events in France
- Published
Events have been taking place to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy landings, a crucial turning point in the Second World War. These veterans spoke to Nel about their experiences on that day.
These ex-servicemen are taking part in a parade in the town of Colleville-Montgomerie in Normandy.
Veteran Robert Stevens told Nel that coming back to Normandy isn't easy but he does it every time, because he has a duty to go back, to remember all the people who didn't return.
Fred, aged 88, a veteran of the 9th Para Battalion, watches a parachute jump just outside Rainville in France, to commemorate the D-Day anniversary. Events have been taking place all week remembering the landings.
It's not just veterans who take part in the events. These young cadets are remembering the fallen, too.
These people have dressed themselves in the uniforms worn on D-Day - and they stand in front of hundreds of British flags planted in the sand of Gold beach.
The Royal Air Force have been flying in formation in spectacular displays.
Though the D-Day landings were a huge success and brought the end of the war much closer, thousands lost their lives. Lines of graves tell the truth of war.
Some of those who died remain unknown - this headstone carries no name.
World leaders have taken part in the ceremonies. Here US President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande pay their respects. President Hollande said every man who took part in the landings was a "hero".
The Queen and Prince Charles have been at the ceremonies too. Her Majesty laid a memorial wreath at the British War Cemetery of Bayeux.
British Prime Minister Cameron is joined here by the leaders of Australia and New Zealand. The Allied forces on D-Day were mainly British, American and Canadian - but other countries were involved too.
