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Crowds gather at Greenham Common to observe 79th anniversary of D-Day in June 1944




On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops joined the largest amphibious operation in history to liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny.

Tens of thousands of Allied servicemen never left the beaches of Normandy.

79th D-Day anniversary ceremony at Greenham Common
79th D-Day anniversary ceremony at Greenham Common

The service opened with readings by Reverend Keri Eynon and new Mayor of Newbury, Nigel Foot.

Representatives of the West Berkshire Parachute Regiment and Newbury & District Branch of the Royal Naval Association
Representatives of the West Berkshire Parachute Regiment and Newbury & District Branch of the Royal Naval Association
Civic dignitaries stand silently in respect
Civic dignitaries stand silently in respect

Control Tower volunteers supplied drinks and refreshments in the café after the service.

Honour guard
Honour guard
Mayor of Newbury Nigel Foot laying a wreath
Mayor of Newbury Nigel Foot laying a wreath
79th D-Day anniversary ceremony at Greenham Common
79th D-Day anniversary ceremony at Greenham Common

But many other Australian, Belgian, Czech, Dutch, French, Greek, New Zealand, Norwegian, Rhodesian and Polish naval, air and ground personell also took part.

Despite its success, the operation was not the beginning of the end. But perhaps, in Winston Churchill’s words, it was the end of the beginning.



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