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.
Attribution
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
Attribution
UK
Posted
4 June
Bill Redston: 'We knew it could have been us killed' Video, 00:03:31
Attribution
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
Attribution
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?

Cemetery shares stories of men who died after D-Day
Attribution
Cambridgeshire
Posted
6 June
D-Day veteran recalls Omaha Beach 'bloodbath'
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UK
Posted
6 June
Group will run and hike D-Day beaches for charity
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Norfolk
Posted
6 June
Pilot shares pride in honouring D-Day predecessors
Attribution
Suffolk
Posted
6 June
D-Day training pillbox converted into home for bats
Attribution
Suffolk
Posted
6 June
In pictures: 80th anniversary of D-Day
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Europe
Posted
6 June
'They gave us our freedom' - Veterans celebrated in Normandy
Attribution
Europe
Posted
6 June
Witness History. Saving lives on D-Day. Audio, 9 minutes
Charles Norman Shay was honoured for saving men from drowning on Omaha Beach on D-Day
Attribution
BBC World Service
Available for over a year
What did the papers say about D-Day?
Posted
6 June
Paratroopers and drone show mark D-Day 80th anniversary. Video, 00:01:21
Attribution
UK
Posted
5 June
King pays tribute on 80th anniversary of D-Day
Attribution
UK
Posted
5 June
Cockpit view of the Red Arrow flypast for D-Day 80
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Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Posted
5 June
Research into D-Day soldier brings family together
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Coventry & Warwickshire
Posted
5 June
West Midlands marks D-Day anniversary
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England
Posted
6 June
Letter from D-Day hero revealed for first time
Attribution
England
Posted
5 June
Wreath's special journey to mark D-Day landings
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Cornwall
Posted
5 June
Daughter pays tribute to father at Pegasus Bridge
Attribution
Oxford
Posted
5 June
Don Jones: 'We weren't heroes' Video, 00:02:48
Posted
5 June
Nunthorpe knitters pay tribute to D-Day landings
Attribution
Tees
Posted
5 June
Bill Davies: 'Don't forget all the men and boys' Video, 00:02:58
Posted
5 June
King Charles and William pay tribute to D-Day veterans. Video, 00:00:40
Attribution
UK
Posted
5 June
In pictures: D-Day 80 anniversary events
Attribution
Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Posted
5 June
Temporary Cenotaph vandalised ahead of D-Day event
Attribution
England
Posted
5 June