D-DAY veterans will return to Normandy by sea 75 years after they first landed on the beaches to liberate France.
Around 3,000 British soldiers were killed in the Normandy Invasion which began on June 6, 1944.
Now the Royal British Legion has hired a cruise liner to take 300 former veterans of the D-Day landings to France for free next June to mark the anniversary next summer.
And now they want veterans to sign on for the six-day cruise – dubbed Sailing Private Ryan.
The old soldiers will join the ship in Dover on June 2 and visit Poole and Portsmouth, where 160,000 Allied troops set off to drive the Nazis out of France.
Following official ceremonies in Portsmouth on June 5, the plush cruise ship Boudicca, named after Britain’s warrior Queen, will cross to Le Havre in Normandy.
The 300 veterans plus a carer or a relative will attend a remembrance service in Bayeux for the 80,000 British and Canadian troops who took part in the invasion under Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.
Around 200,000German troops were killed or wounded during the Normandy invasion.
Michael O’Connor of the Royal British Legion said: “No one really knows how many British Normandy veterans are still alive but we believe there are still several thousand.
“Five years ago the French awarded the Legion ‘d’Honour to around 6,000 British servicemen who served in Normandy
“Those veterans who served in Operation Overlord are are still with us are now in their 90s or even older.
“D-Day 75 will be the biggest celebration while the veterans are still around.
“There will probably be a commemoration for the 80th anniversary and a few veterans left but they are going to be very old by then so this will be an historic event.”
On June 6 next year the Americans and French will also hold separate ceremonies in Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary.
The following day the British Legion cruise ship veterans will visit beaches and cemeteries in Normandy before returning to Portsmouth where celebrations will carry on during the weekend.
Peter Price, from Weymouth, Dorset, who ferrying supplies and replacement vehicles to Normandy said: “I had never considered going to the Normandy Commemorations before because I didn’t know how I’d get there but this boat sounds like a great idea. I’d love to go.”
The trip including accommodation and food for 300 veterans and a partner is being paid by the Royal British Legion and Athena Travel.
Veterans interested in travelling on the ship are invited to contact the Legion for an application form, to be completed and returned by Monday, February 4. Names will be entered in a ballot.
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Royal British Legion’s Head of Commemorative events Bob Gamble said: “Seventy five years ago, the largest seaborne invasion force in history set sail for France on a mission to liberate Europe.
“Today we stand in awe of their achievement and salute their bravery and sacrifice.
“We invite any of them who wish to attend the events to commemorate their achievements to get in touch with the Legion and join our journey back to Normandy.”
- Places for veterans, who can be accompanied by a carer or relative, will be awarded by ballot. Visit rbl.org.uk/dday75 to apply by Monday, February 4.
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News Pictures War veterans to return to Normandy by sea 75 years since their D-Day liberation
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