France D-Day 65th anniversary
Leaders gather for commemoration of Normandy beach landings
Article published on the 2009-06-06 Latest update 2009-06-06 14:22 TU
A veteran stands to attention in Bernieres-sur-Mer on 5 June
(Photo: Reuters)
US President Barack Obama joined the leaders of Britain, Canada and France on Saturday to commemorate the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Approximately 10,000 Allied troops lost their lives or were wounded in the operation, which successfully landed 156,000 Allied personnel in France.
On 6th June 1944 the Allied invasion of Western Europe began with the D-Day landings that landed American, British and Canadian troops on five beachheads in Normandy. Following the invasion the whole of northern France was liberated from the Nazis within three months.
After his visit to Dresden and Buchenwald in Germany on Friday, US President Barack Obama is set to deliver a speech to around 9,000 people at a cliff top graveyard that has become a symbol of US losses during World War II.
Obama will pay his respects to 9,387 US soldiers who are buried there, before heading back to Paris on Saturday, and returning to Washington on Sunday.
The US premier is joined by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Prince Charles is also present at the commemorations, where British servicemen will be remembered at a ceremony in the cathedral in Bayeux.
There had been some speculation over lack of a formal invitation to British Queen Elizabeth II. But Prince Charles took his place as a representative of the British royal family after his attendance was announced earlier week.
French media is hailing Obama’s visit to France. Le Figaro says “Sarkozy-Obama, the Normandy meeting”. Le Monde’s headline says “Obama in France for the commemoration of the landings”. Meanwhile, Libération says “D-Day for Obama”.
Most veterans who survived are now aged 85 or older.
 Obama expected in Normandy for D-Day commemorations |
