On Thursday, world leaders and veterans gathered in Normandy, France to commemorate the successful landing of the Western Allied forces 80 years ago, which marked the beginning of the victory process for France (and later Western Europe) and laid the foundation for the Allies’ success on the Western Front.
President Biden of the United States, President Macron of France, Prime Minister Johnson of the United Kingdom, and Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada, along with more than 20 other heads of state and government leaders, attended a series of events held across Normandy. Approximately 200 veterans, mostly Americans or Britons, participated in this year’s commemorative activities.
British royal family members attended the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings in Portsmouth, UK. Prince Charles stated, “Our gratitude will never cease, our admiration is eternal.”
The surviving World War II veterans are now in their 90s and 100s.
The Normandy landings, codenamed Operation Neptune but commonly referred to as D-Day, were a large-scale offensive launched by the Western Allies on the Western Front of Europe during World War II. This battle commenced on June 6, 1944, as 150,000 Allied troops crossed the English Channel and landed in Normandy, France, making it the largest amphibious assault in human history.
By the end of June 6th, the Allies had established a foothold in France. This was a significant turning point in the Western Front of World War II. According to some historians, it marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. Less than a year later, victory was achieved in Europe.
The Allies suffered heavy casualties during the Normandy landings. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, around 4,440 Allied soldiers were confirmed dead, with over 5,800 more injured or missing.
During the events, Biden delivered a speech at the Normandy Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer overlooking Omaha Beach in northwestern France. He paid tribute to the World War II veterans who participated in the operation 80 years ago. “On behalf of the American people, and as Commander-in-Chief, I salute you in Normandy today. It is my great honor,” he said.
Biden continued, “It is clear that many did not return home. Many survived that longest day and fought on for months until victory was ultimately achieved. A few, a noble few, are with us today.” Turning to the veterans sitting on stage, he expressed, “It is my highest honor to salute you once again in Normandy.”
“All served when America and the world needed them most,” he said. “God loves all of you.”
Earlier in the ceremony, President Macron of France awarded the Legion of Honor to several American veterans. He said, “The free world needs each and every one of you.”
As Ukraine continues to resist Russian invasion, Biden stated, “The collective efforts of the Allies 80 years ago far exceeded anything we could have done alone, illustrating how true alliances make us stronger.”
“Today, NATO is more united than ever before and more willing to uphold peace, deter aggression, and defend freedom around the world,” he said. “Isolationism was not the answer 80 years ago, and it is not the answer today.”
“The struggle between tyranny and freedom is never-ending,” he said. “We will not walk away because if we do, Ukraine will be conquered, and it will not end there, neighboring countries of Ukraine will be threatened, and all of Europe will be threatened.”
“Surrendering to tyrants, bowing to dictators, is unimaginable,” he said. “The Allies fulfilled their duty on D-Day, the question now is, will we fulfill ours?”
Looking towards the future, he said, “We live in an era where democracy faces greater risks globally than at any time since World War II.”
“Democracy is not guaranteed, it must be upheld, defended, and fought for by each generation. This is the test of our time.” he said. “Let us be that generation where when our time is written about 10, 20, 30, 50, 80 years from now, people will say that at that moment, we stood strong together, our alliance was forged, and we saved democracy of our time.”
Secretary of Defense Austin also attended Thursday’s commemorative events and delivered a speech. He said, “I am here to express gratitude,” and “We thank every Allied soldier who fought for freedom on June 6.”
“We thank young Americans who stormed the beaches, helped liberate France, and rid this continent of Nazi tyranny,” he said. “We must come together again to defend an open world, composed of rules, rights, and responsibilities. These rules protect us. These rights define us, and these responsibilities call us once again.”
French Prime Minister Attal, speaking at the Canadian commemorative event on the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, expressed France’s eternal gratitude to the sacrifices made by Canadian and other Allied soldiers.
On June 6, 1944, out of the 150,000 Allied soldiers who landed in Normandy or were parachuted, 14,000 were from Canada.
On Thursday morning, Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada delivered a speech at the Canadian memorial event in Courseulles-sur-Mer, a coastal town in Normandy. He praised Canada’s efforts during the Normandy landings and the sacrifices of their soldiers.
“We remember your sacrifices, we remember your stories. It is everyone’s responsibility to continue sharing these stories so that future generations will never forget the heroism and courage displayed in defending our freedom,” he said. “I can assure you that Canada and the world will continue to commemorate this important day in the coming decades and generations.”
The Allied forces involved in the Normandy landings mainly consisted of troops from the UK, the US, and Canada. However, after the landings, Free French and Polish forces, as well as soldiers from Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, the Netherlands, and Norway, also participated in the battle.
The attack on Normandy began on the evening before the landing, with paratroopers landing by gliders (Operation Tonga), massive aerial bombings, naval shelling, and the amphibious landings starting at 6:30 AM on June 6. Prior to the landing, D-Day troops were mainly stationed along the southern coast of England, particularly in Portsmouth.
For Operation Neptune, nearly 7,000 ships and landing craft were deployed, with over 1,200 of them being naval vessels. Two artificial harbors were towed across the English Channel after initial strikes on German positions.
Around 320 British, Belgian, and American paratroopers participated in a parachute drop reenactment on Wednesday, replicating the events of June 6, 1944.
As a patron of the British Legion and the Normandy Memorial Trust Fund, Prince Charles of the UK did not attend the international commemorative event held later on Thursday at Omaha Beach with other world leaders. Prince William was scheduled to represent the British royal family at the ceremony.
Russian President Putin was not among the world leaders attending this year’s D-Day landing commemorations, despite the Soviet Union being one of the Allied powers during World War II.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, Macron decided in May not to invite Russian representatives to this year’s Normandy landing commemorative events. President Zelensky of Ukraine will participate in Thursday’s commemorative events and meet with world leaders including President Biden.