On this day, we pause to remember and honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who took part in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. It was a day that changed the course of history; a day when the forces of freedom united to strike a decisive blow against tyranny.
The Dawn of Liberation
“You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you." - General Dwight D. Eisenhower
As dawn broke over the beaches of Normandy, thousands of young men, many barely out of their teens, faced the daunting task of storming heavily fortified positions. The air was thick with anticipation and fear, yet it was also filled with an unyielding resolve. These soldiers, sailors and airmen knew the stakes were nothing less than the future of the free world.
A pivotal moment in World War II
The term D-Day was used by the Armed Forces to refer to the beginning of an operation and is actually short for ‘Day-Day’. However, D-Day as we know it now solely refers to Operation Overlord – the largest amphibious operation in military history that changed the course of the Second World War.
The planning and preparation for D-Day began in 1943. For almost a year in the lead-up to June 6th 1944, Allied military leaders leaked fake news and coded radio messages in order to confuse the Germans and throw them off course regarding the Allies’ plans to invade the beaches of Normandy.
Just after midnight on June 6th, Operation Overlord commenced as six gliders released 181 airborne troops over the Orne Estuary, Normandy.
They landed near Pegasus Bridge, and, after a fierce 10 minutes of action, Major Howard sent code words “ham and jam” to indicate that both bridges had been captured. This was to allow troops from the beaches a safe route in land as they made their way from the beaches.
Stories of Valour
In May 2024, the 80th anniversary year of D-Day, we had the honour of meeting 99-year-old D-Day Veteran, Simeon Mayou. A radar operator during Operation Overlord, Mr. Mayou told us of the moment he learned he was setting sail to land on Sword Beach, with no knowledge of what he had been training for in Scotland, and life after the Navy.
“On the 6th, it was ‘up anchor’ early in the morning. The captain said ‘I am very impressed and very proud of my crew, you did well at the exercise. I’m here now, to tell you that we’re set sail to escort the landing crafts to Normandy. We’re invading Normandy.'
When I came back… you become lost for a bit. I was already writing to my wife at that time, I met her when I was training in Scotland. We kept correspondence with each other, then I invited her to stay with me and my family for a week.
I was going to Normandy, up until quite recently. This is the last year we won’t be going.
I played my part, I’ve done my service. I will never regret going in the Navy and serving my country. I felt so proud."
Simeon Mayou was one of nearly 160,000 brave allied troops to land on the beaches of Normandy, not all of whom had the chance to return home to tell their story.
A Legacy of Hope
D-Day was not just a military operation; it was a beacon of hope. Codenamed Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious operation in history, it signalled the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany and the dawn of a new era of peace and cooperation. The courage displayed on those beaches continues to inspire generations. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times the light of human spirit can shine through.
Honouring the Heroes
As we commemorate this anniversary, let us take a moment to reflect on the values these heroes fought for—freedom, democracy and human dignity. Let us honour their memory by striving to build a world where such sacrifices are never again necessary. Their legacy is our responsibility.
"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." - Winston Churchill
The D-Day landings were a pivotal moment in history, a testament to the courage and determination of those who fought for a better world. As we remember their sacrifice, let us also celebrate their victory and the enduring peace they helped secure. Their bravery will never be forgotten, and their legacy will continue to inspire us all.
