On 6th June 1944, around 156,000 Allied soldiers landed on the shores of Normandy to open the campaign to liberate German-occupied northeast Europe
Recorded as the largest seaborne invasion, 7,000 ships took part with 4,000 men alone killed or wounded on Omaha beach, one of five that were used during the operation.
During the battle, allied troops fought to push back the Axis alliance, consisting of German, Japanese and Italian troops. However, it wasn’t just fought on land and sea.
Many battles took place in the sky that day with the German air force, the Luftwaffe, being outnumbered 30 to 1. As a result, they didn’t shoot down a single allied plane in combat.
Tragically, it’s thought over 4,000 allied men were killed during the D-Day landings. In their memory, North East Lincolnshire Council will be hosting and attending events to commemorate their efforts.
A moment of reflection will take place on the steps of Grimsby Town Hall at 10:00 am on the morning of Thursday 6th June.
The Worshipful Mayor of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire Cllr Steve Beasant will be hosting a Civic Service of Commemoration at St Marys on the Sea Church, Heneage Road, Grimsby. The service will be starting at 6pm with Vice Lord Lieutenant, Andrew Clarke and Assistant Naval Regional Commander, Lt Jon Aylett, will also in attendance. Public are more than welcome to attend the service and are asked to be seated by 5:50 pm.
There will also be a display of work from the children of St Mary’s School on display within the Church. The Armed Forces Events Management Team are also lighting a beacon at 9.15pm on 6 June at The Knoll, Cleethorpes, to commemorate the event with other activities.
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