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D-Day 70th Anniversary Commemorative Flotilla to Set Sail to Normandy

5th June 2014
D-Day 70th Anniversary Commemorative Flotilla to Set Sail to Normandy

#D-Day70anniversary -Major events are been held on both sides of the English Channel today in advance of the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Allied Invasion, writes Jehan Ashmore.

To find further details commemorating the momentous D-Day (6th June 1944) they can be found from the D-Day Museum's events programme by visiting their website.

The busy UK ferryport of Portsmouth is synominous with the Royal Navy's homeport and main naval base from where commemorations and elsewhere in the city are taking palce this week to Sunday.

During World War II the Hampshire port was one of the key strategic locations across the south coast from where thousands of Allied troops departed for Normandy.

To mark the critical and momentous event, on the UK side of the English Channel there is to be an exodus from Portsmouth today of a flotilla which will set sail overnight for France for the international commemorations on D-Day.

A flotilla of Royal Navy vessels featuring HMS Bulwark will be accompanied by allied nation naval ships. On arrival they will be in position off those Normandy beaches from where the landings took place.

The eyes of the world will be focused on the five code-named beaches of Normandy as veterans will be joined by world leaders and figures to commemorate those who served. Among those gathering at the ceremonies will be Queen Elizabeth, President Barack Obama and French president François Hollande.

 

Published in News Update
Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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