Summary

  • Events take place in northern France to remember the largest seaborn invasion in history

  • D-Day veterans are joined by Theresa May, Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau

  • The day began with the sound of bagpipes marking the exact moment Allied troops landed 75 years ago

  • Prime Minister May and President Macron attend a ceremony for a new memorial in Ver-sur-Mer

  • A service is held at Bayeux Cathedral, at which veterans and church figures give readings

  • President Macron and President Trump pay tribute to US forces in a service at Colleville-sur-Mer

  • Canadian PM Justin Trudeau speaks at a ceremony at Juno Beach, where many Canadian forces landed

  • A service of remembrance is held in Arromanches, where wreaths are laid by veterans

  1. Thanks for joining uspublished at 17:48 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    That's all from us for this evening - thank you for joining us for our coverage of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

    Here are some of the key moments from today's commemorations:

    Veterans start to gather in Arromanches, France, ahead of the commemorationsImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Veterans started to gather in Arromanches, France, ahead of the commemorations

    Prime Minister Theresa May gets a kiss on the cheek from veteranImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Prime Minister Theresa May gets a kiss on the cheek from a veteran

    Prince William lays a wreath at the Bayeux CathedralImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Prince William lays a wreath at the Bayeux Cathedral

    US President Trump and the First Lady join French President Macron and his wife whilst commemorating in Normandy.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    US President Trump and First Lady join French President Macron and his wife while commemorating D-Day in Normandy

    Prince Harry met veterans who are now being looked after at London’s Royal Hospital ChelseaImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Prince Harry met veterans who are now being looked after at London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea

  2. 'Dawn of liberation, sunset of Nazism'published at 16:57 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    President Emmanuel Macron's tribute to Free French Forces

    President Emmanuel Macron speaks at a ceremony in Colleville-Montgomery, paying tribute to the Free French Forces, the 177 French soldiers who landed in Normandy.

    Addressing veterans, Mr Macron says this time 75 years ago, "the destiny of France, Europe and the world was at stake".

    The French president says the beaches today look peaceful and tranquil, compared to 75 years ago, when it "was red with the blood of men".

    He says the 6 June saw "the dawn of the liberation, the sunset of Nazism, and the first glows of a new dawn".

    "We stand before you with gratitude that words cannot express. We will protect the colours of your heroic youth and the teachings of your virtues."

    He adds: "Let us continue to embrace the spirit of freedom and courage."

    President Emmanuel Macron commemorates D-Day with a tribute to the Free French ForcesImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    President Emmanuel Macron commemorates D-Day with a tribute to the Free French Forces

  3. Macron inspects the troopspublished at 16:31 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    In Colleville-sur-Mer

    French President Emmanuel Macron is inspecting the troops in Colleville-sur-Mer, where ceremonies have been taking place to commemorate US involvement in the D-Day landings.

    President Macron
  4. In pictures: British veterans in Arromanchespublished at 16:19 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    Locals and onlookersImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Locals and onlookers came to pay their own respects to those who fought

    A veteran salutesImage source, Getty Images
    A veteran is helped to lay a wreath the serviceImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    A veteran is helped to lay a wreath the service

    A veteran and serving soldier embraceImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Veterans and serving members of the armed forces joined the service

    Planes and flags fly over the beach at ArromanchesImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Planes and the flags of those nations who took part in D-Day were flown over the beach

  5. A rendition of The White Cliffs of Doverpublished at 16:01 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    In Arromanches...

    A singer performs The White Cliffs of Dover

    Some veterans and locals join in as Vera Lynn's hit The White Cliffs of Dover is performed to crowds on the Normandy coast.

    It follows a performance of The Dambusters March by the RAF's official band.

  6. Piper follows minute's silencepublished at 15:57 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    In Arromanches...

    A piper in Arromanches

    The sound of pipes has been filling the air on this part of the Normandy coast - 75 years after British soldier Bill Millin played them to encourage others off the beach and away from danger.

    Pipers were officially banned from the front line in World War Two because of the number of casualties in World War One.

    But Brigadier Simon Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat, commander of 1 Special Service Brigade, defied the order and brought Private Millin, his personal piper, with him on D-Day.

    Veterans are now laying wreaths in honour of their fallen comrades. One of the wreaths has been laid on behalf of the people of Arromanches by the town's mayor.

    A short while ago, a minute's silence was observed.

    A veteran lays a wreath
  7. 'This will be the last D-Day anniversary'published at 15:52 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    A BBC Scotland News film on Normandy veteran Bill Glen

    Veteran Bill Glen has shared his harrowing story of what happened to him in Normandy after D-Day with BBC Scotland.

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  8. What if D-Day had failed?published at 15:34 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    Map depicts Allied movement through northern France
    Image caption,

    The invasion of northern France was the first stage in a long campaign to defeat Nazi Germany. The Allied commanders had to make every detail of the D-Day plan work.

    Military experts and historians heave previously discussed what it might have meant for Europe....

    • Sonke Neitzel, Professor of International History: "Had D-Day failed, it would have given a major boost to morale in Germany. The German people expected this to be the decisive battle, and if they could have beaten the Allies they might be able to win the war."
    • Gen. Sir Richard Dannatt: "The Russians would probably have continued their advance towards Western Europe, but at a slower pace due to more German reserves being available to be deployed against them."
    • Prof. Gary Sheffield, military historian: "There's also a small possibility that the Americas would have decided to go on the defensive in Europe and concentrate on defeating the Japanese instead."

    Find out more on our iWonder series.

  9. Macron: 'We know what we owe'published at 15:33 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    "On behalf of my nation, I just want to say thank you."

    French President Emmanuel Macron tweets footage from his earlier speech thanking D-Day fighters.

    "We know what we owe to you, veterans," he said. "Our freedom."

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  10. PM tells veteran 'you did well'published at 15:32 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    Theresa May spoke to veterans following a service of remembrance at Bayeux cemetery

    Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to veterans after attending the service of remembrance.

    Among them was Len Williams, 92, who was an 18-year-old private with The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on D-Day and arrived on Gold Beach a few days after June 6.

    Asked about meeting Mrs May, he said: "It couldn't have been more perfect. "She said to me, 'you did well'."

    John McOwan, 98, from Peebles in the Scottish borders, was a sergeant with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers on D-Day. He landed on Sword Beach four days after June 6.

    He said: "The Prime Minister said she was very pleased to meet me. I said that I admire her very much and she smiled.

    "This whole trip has been mind-boggling. I shook hands with President Macron in Portsmouth, as well as Sheridan Smith.

    "The service was very emotional. The tears were running down my face because it was so touching."

    Theresa May speaking to veteran Leslie StockingImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Theresa May spoke to veteran Leslie Stocking

    Veteran Robert Yaxley kissing the prime ministerImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Veteran Robert Yaxley gives the prime minister a cheeky kiss

    The Prime Minister shared laughs with veterans Leonard Williams and Dorrell KitcherImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    The Prime Minister shared laughs with veterans Leonard Williams and Dorrell Kitcher

  11. 'We have a new-found respect for our grandad'published at 15:27 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    In 2018, a video showed D-Day veteran Ray Shuck being helped to his feet to salute his fallen comrades on Armistice Day.

    Ray died in January, and his granddaughters told BBC Radio 5 Live about his heroic experiences during World War 2, including being one of the first to land in Normandy on 6 June 1944.

    Media caption,

    The granddaughters of Ray Shuck, the D-Day veteran who went viral, speak to 5 Live.

  12. PM May: 'Thank you'published at 15:22 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    The prime minister tweets:

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  13. Veterans unite at ceremonypublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    In Arromanches...

    Lord Dannatt
    Image caption,

    Lord Dannatt

    The ceremony is under way in Arromanches where British veterans have been arriving from the MV Boudicca.

    Lord Dannatt, the former head of the British Army, thanked veterans, saying: "We shudder to think, had we failed, what Europe would look like today".

  14. 'Locals come up, shake my hand and say 'merci''published at 15:15 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    In Arromanches...

    Charles Summerville
    Image caption,

    Charles Summerville

    Charles Summerville, aged 94, from Glasgow, is one of the veterans on the Normandy coast this afternoon.

    Speaking ahead of the parade in Arromanches, he said: "We come here just to have a good time, not to remember the bad times - but to be glad to be alive and meet all the lovely people here who make a fuss and make us happy to be here.

    "People just come up and shake my hand and say "merci".

  15. Former PM David Cameron tweets his thankspublished at 15:13 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    Former PM David Cameron has tweeted his "profound and humble thanks to the greatest generation".

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  16. Kisses for PM May at D-Day eventpublished at 14:54 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    Robert Williams was an 18-year-old Royal Marine on D-Day who landed on Sword Beach, and served throughout France and into Germany.

    "I didn't get a scratch," the 94-year-old said.

    When Mrs May came over to thank him at the Bayeux cemetery event, "I took her by the arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She said 'Oh, thank you'."

    "I kissed her - why not? It is not everyone that can do that."

    Another veteran, Robert Yaxley, also gave the UK prime minister a kiss on the cheek.

    Theresa May getting kissed at Bayeux D-Day eventImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Robert Yaxley also gave Theresa May a kiss on the cheek

  17. 'They came as liberators'published at 14:44 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    Official British Army account tweets...

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  18. Crowds gather to welcome British D-Day veteranspublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    In Arromanches...

    Crowds in Arromanches
    Image caption,

    Crowds in Arromanches

    Crowds of veterans and local residents are gathering on the Normandy coast for further commemorations.

    Veterans on the MV Boudicca are expected to arrive in Arromanches shortly, when they will join others for a parade in the town square.

    They will be welcomed by a flypast by the RAF's Red Arrows before a parachute display by the Red Devils.

    The Central Band of the Royal Air Force, the Band of the RAF Regiment and the Pipes and Drums of 19 Regiment Royal Artillery will provide support during the celebration events.

  19. Trudeau: 'Sacred responsibility' to keep memories alivepublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    Canada's PM Justin Trudeau has released a statement about the D-Day commemorations, saying those who landed on the beaches "served under different flags, but fought for one cause".

    "For the thousands of Canadians who landed on Juno Beach 75 years ago, it was a day that they could never forget. Neither can we. The living memory of the Second World War will soon pass. We share a sacred responsibility to keep veterans’ stories alive, to recognize the cost of war, and honour their immeasurable sacrifices."

    You can read the full statement here, external.

  20. Dutch veterans honouredpublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 6 June 2019

    Netherlands defence minister Ank Bijleveld has travelled to Normandy to honour Dutch forces who landed at Arromanches in August 1944.

    She laid a wreath, and posted pictures on Twitter of veterans of the Dutch Princess Irene Brigade.

    These soldiers fought under British and Canadian command in the Battle of Normandy.

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