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 6 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?

D-Day beach reopens in time for 80th anniversary
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Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Posted
3 June
Wales FM to miss D-day event for confidence vote
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Wales
Posted
3 June
'I remember scenes of joy after D-Day success'
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Northern Ireland
Posted
3 June
Veteran describes anguish of Normandy landings
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England
Posted
3 June
'I wouldn't have missed it' - Normandy veteran
Posted
3 June
D-Day veteran says friends' sacrifice a 'waste of life'
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England
Posted
3 June
Man creates huge D-Day memorial outside home
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Somerset
Posted
3 June
London D-Day veteran: 'We expected the worst'
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London
Posted
3 June
RAF veterans in Bargain Hunt D-Day special
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Sussex
Posted
3 June
Jeep used in Normandy landings returns 80 years on
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Tyne
Posted
3 June
Codebreaker Betty Webb reveals D-Day confidence
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Hereford & Worcester
Posted
3 June
'We got fairly close in before the Germans realised what was happening'
Posted
3 June
D-Day memorial trees to honour city's fallen
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Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Posted
2 June
What was the role of Northern Ireland soldiers on D-Day?
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Northern Ireland
Posted
2 June
Coastguard warns about D-Day harbour dangers
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Essex
Posted
2 June
Three towns prepare for D-Day anniversary
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Dorset
Posted
2 June
Beacons of light to honour D-Day bravery
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Isle of Man
Posted
2 June
A corner of a Hampshire quay that is forever Essex
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England
Posted
2 June
The Beaches. Audio, 28 minutes
The scientific mission that ensured the success of the D-Day landings.
Attribution
BBC Radio 4
Available for over a year
The American D-Day soldiers who left messages in a castle
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Northern Ireland
Posted
2 June
'D-Day brought both joy and sadness'
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Northern Ireland
Posted
1 June
Thousands mark 80th D-Day anniversary at air show
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England
Posted
1 June
The secret D-Day scientists and engineers
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Wales
Posted
1 June
UK's oldest D-Day veteran to join anniversary event
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Derby
Posted
1 June