Knowing some form of major assault would occur, Germany strengthened their defences along western Europe. They fortified 2,400-miles of coast with bunkers, landmines, heavy artillery, more personnel and other obstacles.
Eighty years on, we rightly remember the over 150,000 troops from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Poland, and the 195,000 naval and RAF personnel, who played their part in Operation Overlord. Forever etched in history as - D-Day.
On June 6th 1944, some dropped behind enemy lines. However, most faced the bombs, bullets and barbed wire on the Normandy beaches. Their success started hammering the final nails into the evil Nazi regime’s coffin. Despite the immense scope and size of the ‘Atlantic Wall,’ it was no match for the will and determination of the magnificent men who formed the Allied D-Day forces.
Despite the terrifying task ahead and the horrors that were unleashed, these men took on the murderous defences with pure, organic courage. Many made the supreme sacrifice and never returned to wherever their home may be. Those who survived bore witness to unimaginable sights, sounds and experienced emotional strains no words or pictures could ever satisfactorily explain. Yet they prevailed.
While D-Day marked the utterly heroic beginning of an end to the war in Europe, there had to be a beginning. A beginning in which Britain and the Commonwealth faced a ferocious foe… alone.
From the airborne Battle of Britain to the end of the beginning, on the sands of north Africa, to the Battle of the Atlantic and war in Asia; everyone played their part. We honour this raw courage. We honour too their physical and psychological resilience. Some who experienced the worst of times are thankfully still with us and today, it certainly was an immeasurable privilege and honour, to attend the Taf Ely Veterans Group D-Day Breakfast Celebrations to meet some of them, and Veterans from many other conflicts.
Being among some of the greatest Great Britain has produced is inspirational. Individuals such as Margaret Williams (pictured) born in Caerphilly in 1926, and Gordon ‘Pop” White 101 years old, a Royal Navy Veteran of D-Day, unfortunately, unable to attend through ill health.
It was a marvellous event. Solemnity, sprinkled with admiration, gratitude and celebration. Thank you , to all who worked hard to create the 1940’s atmosphere and to all who attended – it was a privilege to meet you and be a part of this special event.
Thank you, to those who paid the supreme price and all who served to protect our Freedoms against the most evil of regimes - ‘Tros rhyddid collasant eu gwaed.’