Allies from the UK, the US, Canada and France attacked German forces on the coast of northern France on June 6, 1944 – known as D-Day.
It was the largest military seaborne operation ever attempted involving the landing of tens of thousands of troops on five separate beaches in Normandy.
D-Day marked the start of the lengthy campaign to liberate Nazi-occupied north-west Europe.
We salute them.
5. D-Day - heroes took part in the Normandy Landings:D-Day - local heroes who fought to liberate Europe
D-Day - Remembering our D-Day heroes Fred Anstee Clark Mitchell writes: "This is my Grandad when Monty came to visit him in hospital and the army had flown his mother out to be with him in hospital.He was rescued from Dunkirk then went back on D-Day (having spent time in north Africa in-between as well)He could also down a pint in less than 10 seconds" Photo: UGC
6. D-Day - heroes took part in the Normandy Landings:D-Day - local heroes who fought to liberate Europe
D-Day -Remembering our D-Day heroes James 'Bill' Bateman 7th Battalion the Parachute RegimentSarah Louise writes: "My great-grand uncle James ' Bill ' Bateman. 24 years old when involved in D-DAY. He went AWOL when returned home, was eventually found hiding in a loft and told go back to war or go to military prison. He returned to war and was unfortunately killed in action aged 25 in March 1945. Photo: UGC
7. D-Day - heroes took part in the Normandy Landings:D-Day - local heroes who fought to liberate Europe
D-Day - Remembering our D-Day heroes John Joseph Anderson RAF 2nd Tactical Air ForceIn his own words: "On D-day, we were preparing to go over, but right up until the time, we were attacking. For the three days; June the 4th, 5th and 6th, I don’t think I slept; I had been on more or less continuous duty; I was absolutely buggered."Because we had been part of this business of the day and night attacks on everything that moved in Northern France, and this was the thing that was giving the guys on Sword Beach and Gold Beach a break; to give the Jerry’s the idea that this was the place we were going to strike, because it was much nearer." Photo: UGC
8. D-Day - heroes took part in the Normandy Landings:D-Day - local heroes who fought to liberate Europe
D-Day - Remembering our D-Day heroesJohnny Ellson writes: "My dad John Ellson was 20 years old in the Royal Navy and serving aboard destroyer HMS Vimy in support of the American landings at Omaha beach on D-Day... He said that the sea was covered in ships as far as the eye could see and the sky was black with thousands of aircraft constantly flying overhead..His ship was damaged and had to limp back to port." Photo: UGC