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D-Day veterans return to France
There was a big send-off from Portsmouth harbour
A flotilla of ships has set sail from Portsmouth Harbour to mark the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Many veterans of the decisive seaborne invasion are making the crossing to attend commemorative events in France.
Their ferries are being escorted by warships from the UK, France and the US and WWII ships including landing craft.
At least 12,000 British veterans are thought to be travelling to Normandy to honour the thousands who died to liberate France from German occupation.
In Portsmouth, the veterans' flotilla was saluted by local VIPs as it left harbour, accompanied by a military band.
More than 450 veterans are making the Channel crossing in a cruise ship, the Van Gogh, which has been chartered for the event by the Royal British Legion.
Tributes
Those onboard will hold a mid-Channel memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony.
D-DAY MEMORIAL EVENTS
0845 Portsmouth: Veterans' ferries and warships set off
0930 Channel: Fly-past over flotilla
1045 Colleville-Montgomery: Normandy Veterans Association tribute to Field Marshal Montgomery near Sword Beach. Prince Charles at parade and march-past
1230 Pegasus Bridge: Prince of Wales unveils replica glider at memorial museum and honours British Airborne units
1345 Ranville dropzone: Parachute drop of British and Canadian paratroopers
1500 Battle of Britain memorial: Poppy-drop over ships off Ouistreham
1530 Caen: Portsmouth warships welcomed to harbour
1600 Caen: British Garden of Remembrance opening, Prince Charles and chiefs of staff attending
2100 Pegasus Bridge: Veterans' march-past celebrating exact landing time
Q&A: D-Day
And as they approach France, a Lancaster bomber accompanied by two Spitfires will drop poppies over the ships, off shore from the town of Ouistreham where one of D-Day's first battles took place.
In Normandy, there will be a host of displays and commemorative services at the sites of key events in the D-Day invasion.
The Prince of Wales has begun honouring those who died by laying a wreath for the Royal Dragoon Guards in the small village of Creully, which was liberated by UK soldiers on D-Day.
Prince Charles, who is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Dragoons, has also laid a wreath at a Canadian cemetery where more than 2,000 men were laid to rest and will attend several other official ceremonies.
In tribute to the 15 UK divisions which fought in the 80-day battle for Normandy, he will open a British garden of remembrance in Caen, capital of the Calvados region where most of the D-Day beaches are sited.
And the prince is due to unveil a statue at the Les Mesnil crossroads near Ranville in Normandy, to Brigadier James Hill, 92, who is D-Day's oldest surviving senior officer.
As commander of the 3rd Parachute Brigade, Brigadier James Hill lost more than half his troops - 1500 - defending the right flank of the British Army on D-Day.
D-Day veterans arrive in France
In pictures
The brigadier told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The thing that sticks in my heart and mind today just as clearly as it did in those days, was the fact that as we pushed on the wounded all gave us a cheer.
"An hour or two later there was nobody left alive, they were all dead - drowned, killed, or missing."
The UK's top general, Sir Mike Jackson, who will be at the unveiling, said: "It will be one of the greatest honours of my life. James Hill has been one of my heroes. He's legendary.
"Sadly this will be the last major anniversary for many of the veterans. I think it is essential that we recognise what these elderly gentleman did for us all 60 years ago.
"They all had to reach deep inside themselves and bring out something which thank heavens eventually led to victory."
Security
The veterans can expect a warm welcome in Normandy with British and American flags already flying along the high streets and on peoples' homes.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Everyone of those men are my heroes
Pacharo Kayira, Lilongwe, Malawi
Send us your comments
However, security will be tight with up to 20,000 French police and soldiers preparing for Sunday's commemoration ceremonies which will be attended by 17 heads of state.
These will include, for the first time, the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder.
The Queen, Prime Minister Tony Blair, US President George Bush, French President Jacques Chirac and Russian premier Vladimir Putin will also be present.
On 6 June 1944 some 5,000 allied vessels headed to the shores of occupied France in the biggest seaborne operation in history.
Of three million men who fought in the subsequent battle around 250,000 were killed
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3778649.stm
D-Day veterans return to France
There was a big send-off from Portsmouth harbour
A flotilla of ships has set sail from Portsmouth Harbour to mark the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Many veterans of the decisive seaborne invasion are making the crossing to attend commemorative events in France.
Their ferries are being escorted by warships from the UK, France and the US and WWII ships including landing craft.
At least 12,000 British veterans are thought to be travelling to Normandy to honour the thousands who died to liberate France from German occupation.
In Portsmouth, the veterans' flotilla was saluted by local VIPs as it left harbour, accompanied by a military band.
More than 450 veterans are making the Channel crossing in a cruise ship, the Van Gogh, which has been chartered for the event by the Royal British Legion.
Tributes
Those onboard will hold a mid-Channel memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony.
D-DAY MEMORIAL EVENTS
0845 Portsmouth: Veterans' ferries and warships set off
0930 Channel: Fly-past over flotilla
1045 Colleville-Montgomery: Normandy Veterans Association tribute to Field Marshal Montgomery near Sword Beach. Prince Charles at parade and march-past
1230 Pegasus Bridge: Prince of Wales unveils replica glider at memorial museum and honours British Airborne units
1345 Ranville dropzone: Parachute drop of British and Canadian paratroopers
1500 Battle of Britain memorial: Poppy-drop over ships off Ouistreham
1530 Caen: Portsmouth warships welcomed to harbour
1600 Caen: British Garden of Remembrance opening, Prince Charles and chiefs of staff attending
2100 Pegasus Bridge: Veterans' march-past celebrating exact landing time
Q&A: D-Day
And as they approach France, a Lancaster bomber accompanied by two Spitfires will drop poppies over the ships, off shore from the town of Ouistreham where one of D-Day's first battles took place.
In Normandy, there will be a host of displays and commemorative services at the sites of key events in the D-Day invasion.
The Prince of Wales has begun honouring those who died by laying a wreath for the Royal Dragoon Guards in the small village of Creully, which was liberated by UK soldiers on D-Day.
Prince Charles, who is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Dragoons, has also laid a wreath at a Canadian cemetery where more than 2,000 men were laid to rest and will attend several other official ceremonies.
In tribute to the 15 UK divisions which fought in the 80-day battle for Normandy, he will open a British garden of remembrance in Caen, capital of the Calvados region where most of the D-Day beaches are sited.
And the prince is due to unveil a statue at the Les Mesnil crossroads near Ranville in Normandy, to Brigadier James Hill, 92, who is D-Day's oldest surviving senior officer.
As commander of the 3rd Parachute Brigade, Brigadier James Hill lost more than half his troops - 1500 - defending the right flank of the British Army on D-Day.
D-Day veterans arrive in France
In pictures
The brigadier told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The thing that sticks in my heart and mind today just as clearly as it did in those days, was the fact that as we pushed on the wounded all gave us a cheer.
"An hour or two later there was nobody left alive, they were all dead - drowned, killed, or missing."
The UK's top general, Sir Mike Jackson, who will be at the unveiling, said: "It will be one of the greatest honours of my life. James Hill has been one of my heroes. He's legendary.
"Sadly this will be the last major anniversary for many of the veterans. I think it is essential that we recognise what these elderly gentleman did for us all 60 years ago.
"They all had to reach deep inside themselves and bring out something which thank heavens eventually led to victory."
Security
The veterans can expect a warm welcome in Normandy with British and American flags already flying along the high streets and on peoples' homes.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Everyone of those men are my heroes
Pacharo Kayira, Lilongwe, Malawi
Send us your comments
However, security will be tight with up to 20,000 French police and soldiers preparing for Sunday's commemoration ceremonies which will be attended by 17 heads of state.
These will include, for the first time, the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder.
The Queen, Prime Minister Tony Blair, US President George Bush, French President Jacques Chirac and Russian premier Vladimir Putin will also be present.
On 6 June 1944 some 5,000 allied vessels headed to the shores of occupied France in the biggest seaborne operation in history.
Of three million men who fought in the subsequent battle around 250,000 were killed
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3778649.stm
