‘A nation that forgets its past has no future.’ These words by Winston Churchill describe the very reason why D Day 80 is so important. Some of the men who set off from Britian, would never come home, so it is a way to remember them, but also so celebrate the fantastic spirit our nation had during that time.

By 1944, the war had turned in favour of the allies, but this did not mean the war in Europe would be won simply by bombing German or its axis powers. To win the war in Europe, it would mean an invasion of the mainland. This had started with the invasion of Sicily and in the East, the Germans were in retreat from the Russian campaign, but pressure was mounting to open a second front in the west led to a plan to invade France. Operation “Neptune/Overlord” were the codenames for the 6 June 1944 D-Day Landings on the Normandy coast of German-occupied France. This was the most important Allied operation of the Second World War. On that momentous day, the Allies launched the most ambitious opposed invasion (“amphibious assault”) seen up to that time. “Neptune” was the codename given to the naval operation to transport and land the forces ashore, and “Overlord” referred to the subsequent campaign on the ground. By the end of this day, American, British, Canadian and some French forces had established a significant beachhead in France. The numbers of Allied forces committed, the preparatory work undertaken by all staff, and the bravery of thousands of ordinary service personnel transformed the monumental challenge of D-Day into one of the most successful military operations of all time. The initial success in establishing the “Second Front” locked Germany into a three-front war of attrition – in France, Italy and Russia (the Eastern Front) – that would eventually overwhelm Hitler’s Nazi Reich. The Initial Joint Plan produced by the Allies in February 1944, stated that they would assault the Normandy coast to secure “as a base for future operations a Lodgement Area”, which within three months would extend to the Rivers Loire and Seine. To achieve this, on D-Day a vast naval armada laden with troops would cross the Channel under the cover of darkness and then, before dawn, drop anchor opposite the five designated invasion beaches: from east to west, “Sword”, “Juno”, “Gold”, “Omaha” and “Utah”. By then, three Allied airborne divisions would have landed to secure the flanks of the invasion.

Finally, after heavy aerial and naval bombardments, British and Canadian assault forces would land on “Sword”, “Juno” and “Gold”, while American forces assaulted “Omaha” and “Utah”. After these initial assaults had established five small beachheads, follow-up forces would land and advance inland. By the end of D-Day, the Allies hoped, their forces would have captured the towns of Caen and Bayeux and have consolidated the four eastern beachheads and the British airborne zone into a single salient. To execute this plan successfully, the Allies had to undertake extensive preparations. They had to train and then assemble many dozens of divisions in southern England while deceiving the enemy into believing that their main attack would come in the Pas de Calais, not Normandy. Although Normandy remained heavily defended, the plans succeeded and Hitler was convinced that any invasion would target the Northern coast of France, so insisted that more defensive resources were placed there. During the 5^th of June, 6,939 vessels from eight different navies and many merchant fleets assembled off the coast of southern England. As the armada headed south towards Normandy, the first Allied bombers passed overhead en route to strike the German defences. Next, from 23:30 hours, 1,100 Allied transport planes travelled south across the Channel, transporting 17,000 airborne troops to Normandy.

From 00:16 hours, the British 6^th Airborne Division landed north-east of Caen to seize key bridges over the River Orne and Caen Canal. First, in “one of the finest flying feats of the war”, three Horsa gliders accurately crash-landed in the marshy terrain immediately adjacent to the Caen Canal bridge at Bénouville (known ever since as “Pegasus” Bridge after the winged horse emblem worn by these liberators). Within five minutes, and for the loss of just two killed, the Paras had secured the bridge and liberated the first French building – the Café Gondrée. The US gliders were next, from 01:00 hours, two American airborne divisions landed in the marshy terrain behind “Utah” to seize key bridges and road junctions and thus delay German counterattacks and facilitate an Allied advance from the beach. At 02:15 hours, the German LXXXIV Corps concluded that these airborne assaults were the start of the long-anticipated Allied invasion, and consequently went onto full alert. For many hours to come, however, the higher German authorities, including Hitler remained convinced that the landings were just a diversion prior to the main Allied attack in the Pas de Calais. By initiating D-Day on the 6^th of June amid poor weather, the Allies surprised the German forces, whose slow reactions then let slip their best chance to drive the invaders back into the sea. There would be many battles to come, but a bridgehead had been secured.




Chelmsford
Their D-Day Commemoration event takes place on the evening of the 6^thof June 2024 at Channels Park, which is the large park area behind the retail units at Essex Regiment Way. There will be refreshments, parades by local cadet forces, the reading of a tribute and the lighting of a beacon at the event.

Wickford Town Council
Are organising a D Day 80^thanniversary celebration in the Memorial Park with a beacon lighting The event is on Thursday the 6^th of June 2024 in the evening. There will be a parade to the beacon which is to be lit at 21.30pm. We will have fish and chip vans and coffee vendors. They also plan to have a 1940’s female singer. There is a grass area in front of the war memorial at the park entrance that can be used to display your vehicles.

Rettendon
Held at The Bell Fields, Main Road, Rettendon Common, CM3 8DY. On the evening of the 6^th of June 2024, we have been invited to hold an event to commemorate the 80^th Anniversary of D Day in-line with the official celebrations in the UK and the lighting of Beacons across other Countries to pay tribute The event will start at 6.30pm - 10pm with the lighting of the Beacon and the National Tribute taking place at 9.15pm. It would be a great honour if some of you could join us along with a WWII vehicle. It is a large field with plenty of access.

South Woodham Ferrers
Beacon lighting from 9.15pm, public and a military vehicle are welcome to come along. A Fish and Chip facility will be present on the evening, as well as access to the bar in the Village Hall, Hullbridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers. Chelmsford.

Rettendon
The Living Memorial. We have been asked by Don Sheppard, D-Day veteran and Fran from the Living Memorial if they would like to attend with their vehicles for the service on June 6^th,all will be welcome.

Heybridge Basin
Are organising a remembrance celebration of the 8o^th anniversary of D Day on June the 6^th - along with many other Councils. They are planning an event from late afternoon into the evening that will involve local children as well as adult residents of the Basin. Please note that they will accept post WW2 vehicles.

RAF Bradwell Bay
The RAF Bradwell Bay Preservation Group is commemorating D-Day with a series of events. On the actual anniversary at the 6^th of June, the evening event will be Winston Churchill narrating the events of the day, including speeches read to the House of Commons. At 21:15 Bradwell on Sea will take part in the national lighting of beacons. This takes place at the Green Man.

Southend
details to follow.

Maldon
Promenade park details to follow.

Tilbury
The Tilbury on Thames Trust, is staging a party for older members of the community to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of D-Day at the Cruise Terminal, Tilbury. We are looking for a couple of military vehicles to be displayed in the car park. We wondered if any of your members would be interested. Date and time to be confirmed.

West Mersea
I am contacting you on behalf of West Mersea Town Council. We are part of the National Beacon Lighting ceremonies taking place on 6^th
We are arranging an evening event from 7pm that will include entertainments, food and drink and a ceremonial parade, leading up to the lighting of the Beacon at 9.15pm by the Colchester Garrison Commander.

Would any of your members have any WWII vehicles that they would like to bring along to the event? It would be great to have one or two vehicles for the members of the public to see and add to the atmosphere. South Woodham Ferrers
The Town Council will be holding a D Day event in the Town Centre of South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford from 1pm to 6pm. There will be a display of military vehicles including Esther the Airborne Jeep, music and singers, including the headline act of the Jive Aces with lots of 1940's music from 2 stages, plus children’s activities. WW2 vehicles are welcome to book in, as well as British/US WW2 living history groups.

RAF Bradwell Bay
On Saturday the 8^thof June, a commemoration/military festival will be held at Bradwell Village Hall and Field. The idea is to have various organisations have stalls reflecting what their organisation contributed during the war years. We are hoping to get many civilian as well as military organisations taking part.

RAF Bradwell Bay
are having a relaxed 40’s Fun Day at The Green man Inn in Bradwell Waterside. The idea is hopefully people will dress in period costumes, 40’s music will be playing and children’s games of the wartime.

South Woodham Ferrers
History event taking place at South Woodham Ferrers Library, with a small display of vehicles outside.

South Woodham Ferrers
The Bell Pub Woodham Ferrers, (where we hold our meetings) 'Woodham Fest' historical event with vehicles welcome.

Details of contacts for further information on any events are available via the contact us page on our website, or for members via our monthly newsletter or a list in our members only Facebook Page.