This year, Army Cadets from 1st and 2nd Battalion Northern Ireland and Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force (ACF) participated in the 80th anniversary of D-Day commemoration events in Normandy. Their involvement highlights the ongoing connection between current generations and the history they commemorate. These cadets had the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the brave soldiers who landed on Normandy beaches and honour the sacrifices made.
The D-Day landings on the 6th of June 1944 marked a pivotal moment in World War II, the largest seaborne invasion in history. This monumental event, combined with airborne operations, initiated the liberation of France and Western Europe from German occupation. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of this significant battle, it is important to reflect on the bravery and collaboration that characterised this operation and the immense sacrifices made.
Commemoration and Remembrance
Each year, nations worldwide unite in remembrance of the events of D-Day. This shared moment of reflection honours the fallen and recognises the sacrifices made by veterans, active servicepeople, and their families. It is a time to remember the courage and resolve of those who fought for freedom and to acknowledge the profound impact of their actions on the course of history.
Commemoration events took place at the Bayeux War Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission war cemetery of the Second World War in France. Opposite the cemetery stands the Bayeux Memorial, which bears the names of more than 1,800 men and women of the Commonwealth land forces who fell during Operation Overlord. These brave individuals died during the landings, the intense fighting in Normandy, and the advance to the River Seine in August 1944.
The British Normandy Memorial hosted a major British commemorative event to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. The memorial stands just outside the village of Ver-sur-Mer overlooking Gold Beach, one of the two beaches where British forces landed on D-Day. It is the only memorial in Normandy listing the names of the 22,442 people who died under British command on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy.
Oxfordshire ACF and 1st & 2nd Bn NI ACFs attended these events respectively, and both events were covered by the BBC. The Battalions were also present at the commemoration event at Pegasus Bridge. Pegasus Bridge holds a special place in the history of D-Day, being the site of one of the first actions of the invasion. On the night of 5-6 June 1944, British airborne forces conducted a daring glider assault to capture the bridge, which spanned the Caen Canal in Normandy.
