2019 sees the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings and throughout the year the Royal British Legion will be remembering those who sacrificed and paid the ultimate price for our freedom in the D-Day landings of 1944.
Midnight had not long struck when the British and American airborne armada began its mission on 6 June 1944 in the moonlight. They landed at the edges of the invasion area on the Normandy coast to secure the western and eastern flanks of the beachheads and protect them from German attacks.
That day saw approximately 156,000 Allied troops break through into the French interior and begin a headlong advance in the war effort, paving the way for over 326,000 troops to land securely. The assault on the beaches of Normandy was the most significant victory of the Western Allies during the Second World War. Failure would have seen Hitler given the opportunity to initiate an eleventh-hour attempt to save Germany and launch his new V-weapons against British cities. Success would mean the beginning of the end of the Third Reich.
As part of our commemorations, will be held on Saturday, 8th June, at Arborfield Park, in aid of The Poppy Appeal, helping to raise funds to support our Armed Forces Community, including Families and Veterans.
The gates will open at 10:30 am, and the format of the day is as follows: