TWO major events were held in Bexhill on June 6 and June 8 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.
The ceremonies were well-attended by the public, politicians and veterans as the fallen heroes of the Second World War were honoured.
The first ceremony was held at the War Memorial on the Thursday while the second took place today (June 8) at Metropole Lawn behind the De La Warr Pavilion.
The D-Day Landings, also known as Operation Overlord, was the biggest sea, land and air invasion in the history of warfare, and it was orchestrated by the Allied Forces to first liberate France from Nazi occupation.
The operation took many months of elaborate preparations. In the lead up to the campaign, Allied leaders planned and executed military deceptions (known as Operation Bodyguard), to cause confusion amongst the Germans regarding the actual date and time of the Landings.
In the early hours of June 5, 1944, the first group of convoys began departing from the south coasts of Britain to commence this momentous campaign.
On June 6, more than 150,000 troops from countries including the United Kingdom, United States, France, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Poland, former Czechoslovakia, Netherlands, Greece and Norway landed on five key areas: Omaha, Juno, Utah, Gold and Sword beaches, along the coastline of Normandy.
Approximately 11,000 aircraft 7,000 ships and other vehicles were involved in the campaign (source Commonwealth War Graves Commission).
Soldiers battled valiantly under heavy German artillery fire and highly fortified defences.
The Allies won this battle, marking the turning point of the Second World War as it paved way for the liberation of Western Europe and the eventual defeat of Germany.
More than 4,000 Allied troops died, and there were more than 10,000 casualties. Veterans still recall the hellish scenes of that very day, having undergone experiences that are unimaginable to us.
The commemoration ended with singing God Save The King and reciting the Lord’s Prayer. The solemn moment reminded everyone of those who gave their today for our tomorrow.
