D-Day

What were the D-Day landings?

On the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings in German-occupied France, we explain what went on.

Eighty years since D-Day

D-Day 80: We Were There. Video, 58 minutes
Eighty years on, Rachel Burden hears the stories and memories of the UK's D-Day veterans.
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BBC Two
Available for 5 months
John McOwan: ‘We hoodwinked Hitler’ Video, 00:03:29
Posted
23 May
Joe Cattini: I saw teen soldiers crying for their mothers. Video, 00:03:13
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UK
Posted
4 June
Bill Redston: 'We knew it could have been us killed' Video, 00:03:31
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UK
Posted
21 June 2023
George Spencer: 'I had the best view of the landings' Video, 00:02:32
Posted
31 May
Ken Cooke: 'I'd never been on a boat before' Video, 00:03:03
Posted
21 May
Bill Gladden: 'I made a rather unorthodox landing' Video, 00:03:27
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Suffolk
Posted
26 April

The BBC is looking to gather first-hand accounts of World War Two. Please get in touch.

Do you or someone you know have a story to share?

Blenheim hosted secret D-Day landing craft tests
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Oxford
Posted
6 May 2020
Exercise Tiger's D-Day disaster wrecks protected
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Devon
Posted
1 May 2020
Carer's touching gift for D-Day veteran. Video, 00:00:52
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Lancashire
Posted
21 April 2020
Inspiring words from 94 year old D-Day veteran Harry Billinge MBE as he self-isolates. Breakfast. Video, 00:02:34
Harry is coping well with self-isolating amid the coronavirus outbreak
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BBC One
Posted
30 March 2020
D-Day veteran Harry Billinge receives his MBE for services to charitable causes. Breakfast. Video, 00:01:51
He talks to Tim Muffett just moments after the ceremony
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BBC One
Posted
4 March 2020
D-Day veteran Harry Billinge appointed MBE
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Cornwall
Posted
3 March 2020
D-Day veteran, 102, awarded Legion D'honneur
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Dorset
Posted
25 February 2020
D-Day veteran, 98, awarded Legion d'Honneur
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Leicester
Posted
2 February 2020
Hundreds turn out for D-Day veteran's funeral
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Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Posted
8 January 2020
Centenarian Desert Rat 'surprised' by OBE
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Isle Of Man / Ellan Vannin
Posted
6 January 2020
MBE for 'I'm no hero' D-Day veteran Harry Billinge
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Cornwall
Posted
28 December 2019
D-Day veteran dies aged 100
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Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Posted
17 December 2019
D-Day veteran turns 100. Video, 00:01:56
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Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Posted
14 November 2019
Sailor who saved 400 troops on D-Day honoured
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Essex
Posted
27 November 2019
Soldiers on D-Day wall identified
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Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Posted
23 November 2019
Ex-Armed Forces head Lord Bramall dies aged 95
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UK
Posted
12 November 2019
WW2 veterans given silver poppies at ceremony
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Northern Ireland
Posted
8 November 2019
Award for D-Day veteran hammer attack officers
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Somerset
Posted
2 November 2019
New memorial for US D-Day troops in Pembrokeshire
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Wales
Posted
22 October 2019
Emotional family reunion for WW2 'GI baby'
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Northern Ireland
Posted
29 September 2019
Vandal owns up and pays for D-Day plaque attack
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Bristol
Posted
11 September 2019
D-Day ship's bell to be returned to US Navy
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Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Posted
3 September 2019
D-Day memorial plaques stolen from park
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Bristol
Posted
2 September 2019
D-Day veteran gets surprise ride in WW2 'Duck' Video, 00:01:24
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Derby
Posted
24 August 2019