80th Anniversary of D Day

[BewitchedBotheredandBewildered]

I've watched quite a lot of the coverage on various TV channels and although I must admit not much interest in the military processions and bands, the personal recollections of the veterans have been very moving.
There were 40 of them who went to France, the youngest was 98.
More from other countries.
What they did, what they witnessed, and mainly, what they saved us from, is just breathtakingly beyond words.

I'm absolutely stunned that there hasn't been a single word here about any of it.

There have been a couple . . . sorry I don't know how to link threads but there's a 'D Day Commemoration' thread which had over 20 posts on it

Yes, it's been very moving. I attended an event yesterday and it's heartbreaking to hear some of the stories. Also mind-blowing to discover the length and extent of the preparations which went towards it

Yes!
The subterfuge and misinformation that convinced the Nazis that it was going to happen at Calais was genius.
And lucky that it worked so well.

The bravery of the women in the SOE and Resistance Groups is absolutely mind-blowing. They were so young and yet what they did made all the difference . . . there just aren't enough words to describe their courage

Weve just done a week in Normandy for May half term. I'd recommend it if you ever get the chance. It really is an education. Each of the 5 beaches has a memorial, a really well researched interesting museum, you learn so much. We've been down bunkers and inside parachute drop planes. Over in Normandy, they really keep the memories alive and are so thankful to the allies for their freedom.

So many people didn't really know exactly what they were involved in, but knew it was important, and knew they had to keep it secret.
And they kept it secret for decades afterwards, just in case!

I really want to go - anywhere in particular you'd recommend staying?

I watched the first episode of 'Erased' about the black US soldiers on D-Day and the way their heroism was ignored for decades.

https://www.natgeotv.com/uk/shows/natgeo/erased-d-day

@Arconialiving

The main museum is at the beach of Arromanches which is also a seaside (obviously) holiday town. This is where you can still see the Mulberry harbour, well what remains of it.

https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/unmissable-sites/arromanches/

I agree. I've been watching it too, it's humbling.

We got the ferry from Portsmouth to Caen then stayed at a campsite in a place called Luc sur Mer. It's a 20 minute drive from the ferry, and really convenient for all the beaches. Every day we explored one of them, also Pegasus Bridge and the batteries at Melville which were amazing so definitely go. All the German bunkers are there with different exhibits in each. There's a real feeling of celebration if you go around D Day as well as the sadness of the loss of so many young lives. All the shops were decorated with "thank you for our freedom" and things like that. Lots of people dressed up and driving round in jeeps and tanks etc.

Thank you @sashh & @AbsolutelyFemale

Brittany ferries just sent me an email btw, this is a good price for the ferry over to Caen and can be taken during the school holidays.