Jeep used in Normandy landings returns 80 years on

By the time the Battle of Normandy ended in August 1944, more than 400,000 vehicles had landed in France

A man with a passion for military vehicles has restored a jeep used in the Normandy landings.

Michael Scott, from Morpeth, Northumberland, bought the vehicle from an English family who originally lived in France and had owned it since 1960.

He will attend events on 6 June 2024 marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history and the beginning of the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany.

Mr Scott said he felt "hugely privileged to own a small piece of the operation's history".

Michael Scott at key crossing Pegasus Bridge where he met Arlette Gondree who was eight at the time of D-Day

On the morning of D-Day a ground force of more than 130,000 troops came ashore on five beaches across a 50-mile stretch of Normandy coast.

By the time the Battle of Normandy ended in August 1944, more than 400,000 vehicles , two million men, and three million tonnes of stores and supplies had landed there.

Mr Scott, 77, has always had a passion for military vehicles and owns three Willys jeeps.

"I did a bit of research and I think the one used in the Normandy landings was built in the United States late in 1943 and would have landed in France between 7 June and 9 June 1944," he said.

More than 600,000 Jeeps were built for military service between 1941 and 1945 and many thousands are now in private hands.

Mr Scott spent several months restoring his, and having paid £9,500 for it, believes it is now worth £30,000.

Michael Scott took the jeep apart to carry out a full restoration

He has been to Normandy several times already calling it "an important homage" to those who fought and died.

"It's an unbelievable experience driving an old WW2 vehicle along the roads and beaches there," he said.

"Seeing the veterans there and the respect they get is amazing but sadly we're not going to see those brave people for very much longer," he added.

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