Veterans convened in Normandy on Friday to commemorate the 81st anniversary of D-Day, a crucial turning point in World War II that ultimately led to the downfall of Adolf Hitler’s regime.
Along the Normandy coast, near the historic D-Day landing beaches, tens of thousands of spectators gathered to witness the commemorations. The events included parachute demonstrations, aerial flyovers, solemn remembrance ceremonies, parades, and historical re-enactments.
Many attendees were present to celebrate the dwindling number of surviving veterans, now in their late 90s and beyond. All remembered the immense sacrifices made by those who lost their lives.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth marked the D-Day anniversary, in which American troops played a pivotal role, alongside veterans at the American cemetery overlooking the beach in Colleville-sur-Mer.
The June 6, 1944, invasion of Nazi-occupied France involved the largest armada ever assembled, comprising ships, troops, aircraft, and vehicles, to overcome Hitler’s defenses in Western Europe. On D-Day alone, 4,414 Allied soldiers were killed.
The subsequent Battle of Normandy resulted in 73,000 Allied fatalities and 153,000 wounded.
This battle—and particularly the Allied bombings of French towns and cities—resulted in the deaths of approximately 20,000 French civilians between June and August 1944.
Precise German casualty figures remain unknown, but historians estimate that between 4,000 and 9,000 German soldiers were killed, wounded, or went missing during the D-Day invasion.
“The heroism, honor, and sacrifice of the Allied forces on D-Day will forever resonate with the US armed forces and our allies and partners across Europe,” stated Lieutenant General Jason T Hinds, Deputy Commander of US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa.
“Let us remember those who flew and fell. Let us honor those who survived and came home to build a better world.”
“Let us ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain by meeting today’s challenges with the same resolve, the same clarity of purpose, and the same commitment to freedom.”
Nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed on D-Day.
Of these, 73,000 were from the United States, and 83,000 were from Britain and Canada.
Forces from numerous other nations also participated, including French troops fighting alongside General Charles de Gaulle. The Allies confronted approximately 50,000 German soldiers.
Over two million Allied soldiers, sailors, pilots, medics, and support personnel from a dozen countries were involved in Operation Overlord, the overall campaign to liberate Western France from Nazi control that began on D-Day.
