The Legacy of Liberation
Events in Normandy

On the night of 5 June 1944, soldiers were aboard ships and landing craft heading for the beaches of France, or preparing to board aircraft that would drop them into enemy territory. Airmen and their crew were fuelling and arming their aircraft, ready to join battle in the skies over Normandy. Sailors had been at work for days, organising the largest invasion flotilla the world had ever seen.

For many, this would be their last evening. For others, it marked the beginning of a battle that many would not return from.

Join us as we pay tribute to those who did not survive D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.

Find out more about our upcoming events below, and register for tickets.

REMEMBERING HISTORIC NORMANDY EVENTS - D-DAY AND THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY

Officially Operation Overlord, but known by most as D-Day, the landings in Normandy on June 6 1944 remain one of the most well-known and talked about events of World War II. 

The commanders of the Allied forces knew that opening a second front in Europe was vital in ending the war. France was the obvious invasion site, and five beaches on the Normandy coastline were targeted. 

Utah beach was the most westerly target, allowing the Allies to move towards the port of Cherbourg, a vital early objective for the operations. Utah was primarily an American landing zone and was supported by the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division parachute landings inland, near Carentan. 

Omaha beach was the next beach along the coastline, linking the American landings at Utah beach with the British and Canadian landing zones to the east. Included in the landings were the newly formed 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions who were tasked with scaling the sheer cliff faces of the Pointe-du-Hoc promontory, a German strong point that had the potential to cause severe damage to the incoming invasion. Omaha was also one of the sites earmarked for a Mulberry Harbour - a temporary, floating harbour that would be used to unload vital supplies directly on to the beaches until a proper harbour could be found. 

Gold beach was the centre of the invasion area, located between Port-en-Bessin and Vur-ser-Mer. The British forces that landed here were tasked with securing a beachhead before capturing Arromanches and then Bayeux. Another Mulberry harbour was constructed at Arromanches, the remnants of which can still be seen on the beaches today. 

Juno beach, to the east of Gold, was predominantly the responsibility of the Canadian forces. The landing zone ran from Courseulles-sur-mer to Saint-Aubin-sur-mer, with the initial attack designed to create a beachhead and  capture vital transport links near Carpiquet, including its airfield and Caey-Bayeux railway line. 

Sword beach was the most easterly of the D-Day beaches, stretching between Ouistreham and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. Sword was the responsibility of the British 3rd Division, tasked with linking with the Canadian forces from Juno and advancing on, and capturing, Caen. At the same time, men of the 6th Airborne Division would attack via parachute and glider, focussing on important bridges across the River Orne and Caen canal - allowing troops landing on Sword beach a route into the French mainland. 

All of these landings were supported by incredible amounts of determination, organisation and bravery from Allied naval and air forces. Thousands of ships and landing craft were used to ferry men and equipment across the channel, repeatedly sailing into danger to deliver their cargo to the beaches. Above them, Allied aircrew flew nearly 15,000 sorties, attacking vital targets and ensuring complete air superiority in the skies above Normandy. 

Despite the planning and preparation in the weeks and months leading up to the invasion, losses were heavy on the first day and throughout the rest of the Normandy campaign. Today we commemorate more than 22,000 Commonwealth casualties of D-Day in war graves across Normandy and on our memorials in France.

Planning Your Visit: Normandy Battlefields and Cemeteries

In Normandy, we have more than 20 cemeteries and memorials to visit, as well as a number of burials in churchyards and civil cemeteries across the Calvados department. 

Our largest war cemetery in Normandy is Bayeux War Cemetery, which contains more than 4,600 war dead, the majority of whom died on 6 June and on the days following the invasion. Within the site stands the Bayeux Memorial, which bears the names of a further 1,700 Commonwealth casualties who died in Normandy and who have no known grave. 

Jerusalem War Cemetery is the smallest CWGC built cemetery in the region, containing only 47 burials of the Second World War. This is the site of a determined German counterattack in July 1944. Among those buried here is the youngest Commonwealth casualty of the invasion, Private Jack Banks of 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry, who was only 16 when he died. 

You can use our search tool to find other WW2 cemeteries and memorials in France. 

Experience Normandy: Tours and Points of Interest

There are a number of visitor attractions and locations that would interest those with an interest in world war history, or those who wish to learn more about Normandy and the Calvados department. 

The Museum of the Battle of Normandy is located across the road from Bayeux War Cemetery. Discover the story of the invasion, in chronological order, with archive film, dioramas and archive objects from tanks and bulldozers to maps and uniforms. 

A short drive from Ranville War Cemetery stands Pegasus Bridge and Bailey Bridge. These bridges were vital objectives on 6 June - successfully attacked and captured by glider-borne troops during the first hours of the invasion. The bridges remain today and visitors can discover more about this courageous action at the nearby Pegasus Memorial Museum. 

Overlooking Gold Beach, near Ver-sur-Mer, is the British Normandy Memorial. Operated by the Normandy Memorial Trust, this memorial was inaugurated in 2019 as a tribute to all those under British command who died on D-Day and during the Normandy campaign. The site offers a panoramic view over the channel, placing you at the heart of the action on D-Day.

The Bayeux Tapestry museum is less than a five minute drive from Bayeux War Cemetery - a must see for those with an interest in history. The 70m tapestry tells the story of the Norman invasion of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. 

Participate Virtually: How to Join from Anywhere

There are many ways you can get involved with the D-Day 80 commemorative events.

Some of the major D-Day events are being filmed and broadcast live on the BBC. You’ll be able to tune in and see some of the big moments from Portsmouth and Normandy – including live from our Bayeux War Cemetery. 

There’ll also be plenty of coverage on our website and across our social media channels, where you’ll be able to see some behind the scenes details of the events, discover more about our work in France and meet some of the CWGC staff and volunteers who have been working so hard to make these events a success. 

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