this is bbc news. i'm anna foster in arromanches. tributes to the fallen heroes of d—day, 75 years on. hundreds of veterans gather in normandy for a day of commerative events, honouring those who helped liberate europe and change the course of world war ii. the prime minister gives her thanks to the veterans and tells them june 6th 191m was a day when they helped build a better world. these young men belonged to a very special generation, the greatest generation.

a new memorial is unveiled to those who made the ultimate sacrifice — paid for with money raised by veterans. don't say i'm a hero. i'm no hero, iwas lucky. i'm here. all the heroes are dead, and i will never forget them as long as i live. the french and us presidents are also in normandy to pay tribute — donald trump tells veterans "our debt to you is everlasting". the other headlines on bbc news at 2:00pm. a devastating blow for bridgend, as ford confirms it's closing its engine plant there. 1,700 jobs are under threat. and an independent inquiry is launched into the running of a failed nhs trust amid concerns 150 deaths were not properly investigated.

this is bbc news. i'm anna foster. hundreds of veterans have gathered in normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of d—day. theresa may and the french and american presidents have been attending commemorative events across northern france, to honour those who fought in one of the most momentous operations in military history — june the 6th, 191m was a day that changed the course of the second world war. today's events began here in arromanches where a lone piper marked the moment when the first soldiers went ashore. graham satchell has the story of the day. last post plays they gather, perhaps

for the last time. today, a chance to remember the dead and to pay tribute to those still alive. the veterans in normandy today, the last survivors of the greatest generation, who liberated europe from the tyranny of nazi rule. news archive: this is it, they are on the beach, plunging waist deep into the sea... 75 years ago, the world held its breath as the first landing crafts made their way onto the beaches. it was the biggest naval invasion in history and the fighting was fierce, chaotic. the lads were going down the ramps and getting knocked off by the machine gun. young fellows who we were talking to minutes before the machine guns were taking them. they were in the water being rolled over by the tide

and you wanted to get them out, but we couldn't. we couldn't help them. you can't describe it. lowering the ramp onto bodies of gis, you didn't know whether they were alive or dead. it used to give me nightmares. at 6:25am this morning, a lone piper played a lament. it was the exact moment british forces started their attack 75 years ago. piper plays just along the coast, a new statue. it shows three ordinary soldiers fighting their way up the beach. the prime minister, theresa may, and french president, emmanuel macron, joined normandy veterans for the inauguration. these young men belonged to a very special generation, the greatest generation.

a generation whose unconquerable spirit shaped our post—war world. if one day can be said to have determined the fate of generations to come, in france, in britain, in europe and the world, that day was the 6th ofjune, 1944. much of the money for this statue has been raised by veterans, in particular 93—year—old harry billing, a sapper in the royal engineers, who landed on gold beach onjune the 6th. they say i'm a hero. i'm no hero. i was lucky, i'm here. all the heroes are dead and i never forget them as long as i live. there are commemorations across normandy today. this is bayeux cathedral

and the service of remembrance, bayeux the first city to be liberated. when my life is over and i reach the other side, i'll meet my friends from normandy and shake their hands with pride. the american cemetery at coleville—sur—mer next to omaha beach. of all the allied forces on d—day itself, the americans saw the heaviest losses here. atjuno beach, canadian veterans also remembered the fallen. singing bayeux cemetery.

there are more than 4,000 servicemen buried here, most of them british. it is by far the hardest place for the d—day veterans to come. crowd sings each veteran invited to lay a wreath to remember their brothers in arms, the men who paid the ultimate sacrifice. they shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. we will rememberthem. there have been so many different

events happening here along the normandy coast today. so many sombre commemorative events but also here in arromanches, the focus of many people here. you can see in the background, parades of military vehicles and more veterans coming here later for vehicles and more veterans coming here laterfor a parade in the square and later this evening everything will culminate in fireworks just before midnight. i'm joined now by hervw morin. he's the president of normandy and was france's minister of defence under nicolas sarkozy. thank you forjoining us and good afternoon. for people who have maybe never been to this small town of arromanches, for people who have maybe never seen arromanches, for people who have maybe never seen the normandy beaches, how do you use to describe this place? there is a lot of emotion in these

beaches. there are particles that are unique that come out of these beaches. as if the souls of the veterans were co nsta ntly a bove the if the souls of the veterans were constantly above the beaches and the sea. for normans, and i am a norman, even though we haven't lived through d—day we have been told about it so much that now it's fully part of our personal history. and you yourself today have been meeting and speaking to many of those veterans who are back for a today's events?

we had a very nice event yesterday at the regional council with the vetera ns. at the regional council with the veterans. with 1000 young at the regional council with the veterans. with1000 young students from the high schools of normandy. and there were five veterans from the british army. and the young people, they applauded for at least 15 minutes. everybody in the room was crying. they said to me, the veterans, we never enjoyed such a wonderful welcome. it was incredible to see all these young people who work, as it were, taking the baton from the older generations.

they had worked throughout the year in their classrooms on these issues of liberty and peace, and they were able to grasp in this very special moment what those men who gave them freedom and peace did. what i think is notable as well is that here along the normandy coast, you don't only remember onjune the 6th? you travel around these roads and the flags are always out, so you remember this every day. of course. for us, it is completely pa rt of course. for us, it is completely part of our dna.

yes, of course. it's not only on june the 6th or these months that we remember. we remember constantly when we see the beaches, when we see all these white crosses, when we ci’oss all these white crosses, when we cross this beautiful land with this wonderful landscapes and these nice colours. we permanently have a kind of subliminal image in our minds of all these men who came to give us freedom and peace.

and we are very glad indeed that the british decided to build a memorial dedicated to the british soldiers because we were missing that. thank you very much indeed for joining us on bbc news. thank you very much, goodbye. that event that we covered this morning just down the coast, that event was attended by the prime minister theresa may and the french president emmanuel macron, and they unveiled what will eventually be a new memorialjust along the cote. it had been fought for for a long time by the veterans and it was emotional and poignant for them as well, seeing it finally come to fruition after a ll seeing it finally come to fruition after all this time. the 75th anniversary of d—day has also been marked across the uk — the duke of cambridge has been attending a service at the national memorial arboretum, while the duke of sussex has

been meeting veterans. let's speak to your accounting. you are from the imperial war museum. i think d—day is such a significant anniversary that is really worth is all taking some time out to think about. it has become immortalised in the history of the second world war because of the desperate need in 1944 to open up a second front, to liberate normandy and then france and push on to berlin and i think when we come to think about the human story of that event, when we think about the experience of the man who landed on these beaches and the french civilians who are ultimately caught up in the fighting that took place with german soldiers in the fields and towns and villages around this area intojuly and

august, we get a very compelling picture ofjust august, we get a very compelling picture of just how august, we get a very compelling picture ofjust how bloody this war was. it is worth saying, by the way, you may hear the sound of applause which has been regular throughout the day because on the street below us in arromanches, there are some veterans being pushed along by family members. you have seen that all day, people going up to the veterans and shaking hands, taking photos orjust applauding them. the veterans are what the day is all about. it is about understanding the testimony from those people who are still alive to tell us what it was like to take part in d—day and subsequent battles. at the imperial war museum we have so much archive testimony, letters and interviews from veterans who took part and it's about understanding the emotional impact of the day's events that we still work with every day. as you say, you do everything you can to bring this alive for a new generation, but there is nothing quite like seeing one of these vetera ns quite like seeing one of these veterans in the flesh and being able

to shake their hand and say thank you and talk to them. it has been a real pleasure today to talk to some of them and here such clear memories of what their experience was like. and a very varied experience. we had medics as well, labour people on ships bringing people ashore and air operations as well. we need to think about this as a combined effort on an extraordinary scale. and we are here in arromanches, which is synonymous with the commemorations which are going on today but also we looked out behind us today but also we looked out behind us here, those dark lines that you can see on the horizon are the remains of something very special. that was the mulberry harbour and without the mulberry harbour, towed across from english shores, the success 01’ a across from english shores, the success or a victory might not have been. d—day isn't just about collaboration, it's about an incredible amount of innovation. the

mulberry harbour is, some people thought it was a crazy idea to establish an artificial port but it worked extraordinarily well. it managed to survive even the most turbulent weather and it was a vital means by which we got reinforcement of men and supplies which were so crucial to be able to push on into normandy, which ultimately d—day was just the beginning of. it was a long conflict and lessons we re it was a long conflict and lessons were learned and the reason they knew they needed this harbour was because what happened in dieppe in 1942, when they tried to take a german occupied harbour and it went badly wrong. when you think about d—day, it was an audacious idea that there had been a lot of preplanning and the dieppe raid was a disasterfor the allies but they learned crucial lessons that actually to take a german occupied port was so difficult and so fraught with danger that actually it would be far better to try to get on the normandy ground

where there was no obvious harbour but it is sheltered from the worst of the atlantic storms. the idea for the mulberry harbours meant that there was a chance to get all of these men onto this terrain and able to use the relatively flat ground round here to push into the countryside. they were vital in that. you talk about the innovation and what it took to actually capture these beaches, to establish the beachheads and push on into normandy. the funnies were an incredible part of that. those ideas that were dismissed by many ideas but eventually winston churchill sat down and said, there could be something in this. the beach obstacle the men faced when they got off the landing craft we re when they got off the landing craft were relatively formidable. not as formidable as the germans had hoped, but it relied on the inventions of flail tanks to explode the mines, the swimming tanks that you see.

there is all kinds of innovation plus the deception operation. i think the united kingdom is extraordinary at this— dummy aircraft, dummy camp set up. the idea that germans would be fooled into thinking there was a second invasion coming further along the coast in calais. it was an amazing feat of total deception and all those innovative weapons of war allowed the allies to make that push onto the beaches and the funnies as they are called, named after hobart, a remarkable side of the d—day landings. we are looking down into the main parade square here in arromanches and we can see many other veterans taking their seats already and notable because of the sheer number of people who have turned out here, pressed up against the railings, who wa nt to pressed up against the railings, who want to honour and be part of this. so much has been for them. we can

hear a marching band heading into the square. it really feels like a significant event, doesn't it? the 75th anniversary. any anniversary is a really useful point for reflection. some people will see this as a celebration, but it is certainly a feeling that this is our chance to engage with the veterans. probably the last big gathering, given the age of veterans now, and it isa given the age of veterans now, and it is a wonderful opportunity for as many people as possible to talk to them but also gather to remember what was d—day and why was it significant, and anniversaries unlock that for us. d-day was only the beginning, the day that the first soldiers landed and the first craft, but that was only the beginning of the push into normandy through france, towards berlin. it was a long time coming, four long yea rs of it was a long time coming, four long years of nazi occupation for the people of this country and even though a foothold was established on d—day by the end of the day, even

though we didn't have an unbroken front for the allies as they had hoped, and certain objectives were not taken, it was a foothold from which it was possible to push on into the countryside and that was an achievement of the day. as the war went on, we still have another year of conflict so this was of course a beginning but it really was not the end and it relied on all of those allied bushes and efforts of supply, of course sabotage from beginning and the french are very active and the breakdown of german forces. by this point, germany was under confused command which did undermine its response to d—day. different orders, commanders who were not of the same mindset, unlike the allies. i think you really do have to think of the personal impact of leadership on d—day as well. despite some

differences, they were much more unified and what they wanted to achieve. it is interesting, when you talk to many of the veterans here today as we have been doing and hearing their stories, you talk about the command and the man at the top but the men we are looking at in the square right now, taking their seats with theirfamilies, their right now, taking their seats with their families, their experience was far removed from that as they arrived on these beaches, crammed into those tiny landing craft, really not knowing what would happen 01’ really not knowing what would happen or what the plan was, other than to advance and take much territory as they could. so much of it was secret, including keeping the location of the landing from these men, the ordinary man who came ashore. 0n the days running up to d—day, they were helped in holding camps which were guarded by snipers so there was a real sense of tension and anticipation. by the time they get into those landing craft and realise they are going, of course they have that turbulent

crossing to endure across the english channel. seasickness is a terrible problem for many of those men. unfortunately, we have the prospect of casualties who were taken out prospect of casualties who were ta ken out before prospect of casualties who were taken out before they even got off the landing craft so it is a turbulent time for them but they have had lots of training up until this point. everybody is clear on their objectives, just perhaps not where the location is because the secrecy was where the location is because the secrecy was paramount. there is a brisk coastal wind at the moment and you can see the flags along the coast which fly all the time but also at the moment are being flown at the parade as well. the french flag, canadian flag, british flag, australian flag. the heritage of this place, as we were saying, it's around you all the time. you can't walk down a street in arromanches, particularly today, and not see a piece of street art, a street name, a display in a window or the name of a restaurant, all of

it is infused with history. and it is like this all the time. this is a particularly busy day that these towns exist and do much to preserve the heritage of what happened at these beaches and in these towns. you mention the flags, that reminds us that this is very much an allied effort. the bringing together of forces from britain, from the empire. the french forces, polish, the contingents and americans working together in this massive operation very successfully. they each had slightly different objectives. the americans were to go and take objectives to the west and great britain and its allies and its empire forces to the east and then in august, they managed to unify and push on into the low countries and make that final descent upon germany in 1945 to bring the war to a close.

you can probably hear the gentle sound of abide with me being played by the raf band just down there on the edge of the parade square. a little more to go before that service gets going. in fact, we were talking about the flags and the brisk coastal wind today. it brings us brisk coastal wind today. it brings us onto the weather and we need to talk about the weather, the fact that d—day was supposed to be the 5th ofjune and not the sixth. the fa ct 5th ofjune and not the sixth. the fact that they came out and turned back and the decision that was made to eventually go, even that was touch and go. it's an extraordinary drama and of course, the weather is a famous great british obsession but in this case a justifiable one. it was absolutely imperative to have clear skies to allow aircraft to see where they were going. it was an imperative to have a relatively calm seas to allow all of those 7000 naval vessels to make their way safely across the channel and of course to have low tide to allow those men to come ashore and see all of the obstacles that had been left

by the germans as part of the so—called atlantic wall. those conditions were absolute. u nfortu nately, conditions were absolute. unfortunately, for the fifth it didn't look like that was going to be possible because of a looming storm and scotsman captainjames stagg had a tough few hours. he tried to work out how to tell the most senior commanders and generals that he wasn't sure about the weather. he reported directly to eisenhower and made a claim that the landing had to be postponed until the morning. the sixth was a weather window and he was proven correct. he and everybody who worked with him. it was a good moment to strike because the weather was so important to the combined operation's success. and that incredible work they did as operation bodyguard. throwing the

germans off the scent. they thought calais would be where they would go for it. even on the day, they saw their ships and they couldn't believe that a huge invasion could possibly be carried on in those kinds of conditions. it seems incredible to us but actually the germans continue to believe that the allies would strike ona believe that the allies would strike on a different front, even once the normandy beachheads had been taken. this idea of deception was executed through the work of spies, double agents working against german intelligence and feeding false reports. the creation of a dummy army in england with all these dummy forces are massing, inflatable aircraft etc that i mentioned before. all of this combines into this effort known as operation bodyguard under the fake operation name operation fortitude which was a presumed strike on calais, the closest point to england.

and the efforts they went to to establish that were extraordinary, weren't they? they really were. and beyond the deception tactics, there were so much reconnaissance that was required. people were asked under a false guise to submit holiday photos from their time all the way along the french coast, and that appeal went out on the bbc. at least a year before d—day even occurred. and they we re before d—day even occurred. and they were used to understand what the best terrain for a landing would be. there was also this idea of sending people in, for example, what is the terrain like, the sand, is it too soft to allow vehicles to be unloaded and come ashore? there are s0 unloaded and come ashore? there are so many efforts that go in and with some real bravery involved in sending men out on those missions to come ashore and collect sand, etc, and that is all part of the d—day effort, not just what and that is all part of the d—day effort, notjust what happened on the 6th ofjune1944 itself.

and again, today, we havejust seen the choir heading onto the square. so many bands, the music, the significance of the sound. to stand here, see these pictures and take it all in, think about the significance of this day 75 years ago. it is quite something. you can see the amount of effort going in. piper is coming in. famously on d—day, bill mellons was the sole piper on d—day. i think all of this was just about that idea of remembering that human sacrifice really that was involved in d—day and the battle for normandy. i think people have a real curiosity, what was it like on this extraordinary occasion? i think d—day has captured the imagination like few other events, and you can see that through the proliferation of popular culture, films like the longest day and saving private ryan

for example, has helped solidify d—day as an immortal day in the history of the second world war. there are many people here who is interest has been peeked through news coverage and also popular culture and the efforts of everyone to remember. thank you, laura, from the imperial war museum. you can see through the generations here, young and old, everybody taking part. another round of applause for the veterans making their way through the square. that is all for now from here. much more throughout the afternoon and more from anna foster at 3pm a la time when the service of remembrance takes place, including a minute silence. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. during tomorrow into saturday plenty

of plaid with rain spreading north. becoming unusually windy for the time of year. a few showers with sunshine. scotland and northern ireland into england and wales. tonight it becomes mainly dry, quite chilly in rural parts of scotland, into the pennines and northern ireland. the chili is close to freezing for the end of the night when pushing into southern england and parts of wales due to low pressure. 0n the eastern side of northern ireland and pushing into southern scotland the potential for heavy and boundary downpours developing. saturday, most of the rain in the north of the uk windy sun and showers. less windy on sunday.

an independent inquiry has been launched into the running of a failed nhs trust — amid concerns 150 deaths were not properly investigated. liverpool community health — formed in 2010 — ran services for about 750,000 people on merseyside before being taken over last year. the inquiry will look into historic incidents of serious harm and 17,000 cases related to patient safety. sarah campbell reports. more than 750,000 people in merseyside relied on liverpool community health to keep them well and safe. but from the outset, according to a previously published review, the trust was dysfunctional. obsessed with cost—cutting, patients suffered unnecessary harm. the trust no longer exists, but an investigations by the one which replaced it, mersey care, uncovered cause for serious concern. the critical thing that we have discovered in that year is that there was a not at all rigourous approach. probably through the lifetime of liverpool community health, to the recording of clinical incidents, to the use of data,

to rigourous investigations. to make sure that they were closing down the risk of reccurrence of incidents. while liverpool community health was in charge, the bbc understands that at least 150 deaths were not properly investigated. 43,000 incidents were not properly reported, of which 17,000 were related to patient safety. care at liverpool prison was previously singled out as suffering the biggest clinical failures, with unsafe practices becoming the norm. 20 deaths here were never properly reported. local mp rosie cooper says she saw how first—hand patients were being let down because her father was one of them. staff were trying to do their best whilst feeling very bullied. if anything went wrong, they were disciplined, given letters of concern, so it was very oppressive.

it's a very frightening place for people to work. and i still talk to people today who show the scars of that regime of terror. in a statement, health minister stephen hammond said: the actions of the leadership team and where they may have contributed to the delivery of unsafe patient care will now also be part of the new investigation. its conclusions are expected by the end of next year. sarah campbell, bbc news. the ford motor company has this afternoon confirmed it is planning to close its engine plant at bridgend in south wales in september next year. 1700 jobs would go if the plant is shut. union leaders say it would mean disaster for the workforce and the wider community in bridgend. tomos morgan reports.

at 11 o'clock this morning, their workers here in bridgend were given the news following a meeting between trade union leaders and temper macro bossesin trade union leaders and temper macro bosses in the headquarters in essex. by bosses in the headquarters in essex. by midday they were all sent home to process the news for families and work he has been suspended until next week. ford has explained a number of reasons for the decision by losses across the entire european operation being among them. this decision has been looming over this town for some years. for almost 40 yea rs, ford town for some years. for almost 40 years, ford has been a bedrock of the bridgend economy. it is notjust engines they produce here but also well—paid, skilled jobs for the community in south wales. after decades in this town, the american car giant's future will come to an end by the end of next year. car giant's future will come to an end by the end of next yearlj car giant's future will come to an end by the end of next year. i have 15 years service. basically i am one of the new boys implant. absolutely

devastating. quite a lot of us relocated from southampton to bridgend when they shut the place. there will be not a lot left, well there? these are good jobs. four yea rs there? these are good jobs. four years ago things looked positive. bridgend won a contract to produce a quarter of a million new petrol engines every year, their dragon project. just a year later the contract was halved. questions then began to be asked about the viability of keeping a factory with 2000 employees open with such a reduced workflow. by 2017 the american company projected it may need to cut jobs american company projected it may need to cutjobs over the next few yea rs. fast forward need to cutjobs over the next few years. fast forward to january and forward formalise the redundancies we re forward formalise the redundancies were 370 to go in the first phase and almost 1000 by 2021. —— ford.

this is a massive blow to our members here, theirfamilies, the massive blow to our members here, their families, the whole of bridgend and welsh manufacturing in general. it is a major blow to the economy. over time their work has reduced, diminishing completely by this year. there are a number of suppliers on this industrial estate relying on ford for work. very disappointing news today. they will have a knock—on effect on jobs at other companies across the estate and the wider region. there welsh government says almost £140 million of public money has been poured into ford in recent years. for decades after opening, the largest engine production plant in europe for ford will be no more. as was mentioned, some people had been predicting this

announcement today. the decision comes in the same week it was announced the uk car industry had slumped again. brexit unpredictability being blamed by other motoring companies. our today's jobless is another example ofa today's jobless is another example of a struggling industry in an uncertain economic climate. let's speak to our business correspondent. how anticipated was this decision? bar had obviously been signs that perhaps production was slowing down. —— bear had. the number of engines made were not as many as had been hoped. the news will be a blow to all associated with it. ford has several sites around the uk, this is one in essex. management from ford came to discuss with unions and tell them about their decision to cease

production at bridgend by september 2020. we spoke to some union members who are at the meeting. they are very angry and disappointed and do not think the plant needed to close. they will tell us of the impact they think the closure will have on bridgend and wales in general. it will be absolutely devastating and notjust a bridgend but devastating to wales as a country and region. it will be devastating to uk manufacturing because the supply chain goes to the four corners of the uk. it goes wider than that, into europe. it is notjust devastating for the manufacturing sector but the local communities, pubs and shops it will also be hit as a result of this. —— that will also. it is dreadful news at the betrayal of ford workers at bridgend. katie, what is there which might bring optimism to those who could be facing redundancy later this year? today ford has said it will support workers into trying to find other

jobs, whether at other ford sites or having them be trained to find other careers. it has also did a been keen to say it is still committed to the uk and has other sites including this one. there is production going on at dagenham as well. ford has been getting some reasons it wants to close the bridgend plant. it has spoken about previously being concerned about the potential of an idea brexit that says brexit has not been the reason for closing bridgend. it is more about the reason to transform the business for ford to make savings make it more efficient. the future will be much more geared towards electric vehicles. it is looking for a strong and sustainable presence in europe in the future. it does not feel bridgend can be part of that anymore. perhaps saying it was not used to its full capacity. there has been a statement this afternoon from the government, acknowledging the

ford announcement follows an announcement is company made about restructuring its business with an eye the future. the government says it recognises how worrying this consultation on closure will be for the bridgend workforce and the government will be working with eve ryo ne government will be working with everyone involved to try to mitigate the impact going forward. everyone involved to try to mitigate the impact going forwardm everyone involved to try to mitigate the impact going forward. it is part of that wider concern about the car industry in this country and manufacturing generally. indeed. the uk car industry is going through a very uncertain time. the global car industry is going through an uncertain time. there are lots of challenges out there, whether that is the need to move towards electric ca rs. is the need to move towards electric cars. it is very expensive. the uk manufacturing sector has been suffering recently with a big drop in investment in cars being made here. ford has not made entirely vehicles here since 2013 in bridgend

was only making engines which would then be shipped on elsewhere. there have been specific examples which will be concerning to the industry. honda has confirmed its decision to leave swindon. a huge plant there. the had a task force attacked attached to it to try and help the area losing honda. —— the government had a task force attached to it. it is very much an uncertain time and people will hope we will not see more of these closures. ford has said it is committed to a future in the uk. thank you very much. at the inquests into the deaths of the eight people, killed in the london bridge attacks, the wife of one of the killers — khuram butt — broke down in court as she described her husband's involvement in the attack. richard lister was at the old bailey for her evidence zahrah rehman, who was speaking in court out of the gaze of the press.

we were kept in a separate room because of special measures imposed during this inquest. she said she could not believe that khuram butt but was involved in this attack. she said there had been no signs whatsoever in their married life. they had been married since 2013 and while she knew he was a very strict muslim with very strong views about syria, she never believed he would want to carry out an attack on his own country. she said that on the day of the attack itself everything seemed normal, that he woke up late and he spent time with the family, he played with the children and then he said he had arranged to go off to have a meal with friends. when he left, she said, there was just a peck on the cheek. he did not even kiss the kids goodbye and he left. that was the last time she saw him. she found out about the attacks on the same news reports that the rest of us heard. she said she joined a whatsapp messaging group and was talking to friends about the attack and then she went to sleep.

it was not until armed police arrived at her flat the following morning she learned her husband was dead and had played a key role in the london bridge attack. then she broke down in court. she could not comprehend it. she said he was living in the same house with me and my kids. how could he do that? she said, "even now, it has been two years and i have not been able to look at the pictures of the victims." she was sobbing as she was asked, "did she have any idea he was capable of such a thing?" "no, i knew it was a possibility he wanted to go to syria but he never expressed a desire to attack here." it was as if we were living different lives. let's ta ke let's take you back to normandy for the continuing dj 75th anniversary commemorations.

this is where the memorial services taking place. the french president, emmanuel macron and the us president donald trump will be in attendance. let's just listen in and for a moment here are some of what is happening. this is very important place for the united states. the normandy american cemetery and memorial in france is located here in this small town the normandy coast of colville sur mer. it is where the us first army established their cemetery in 1944. we will go back there in a little

while and hear more of that commemoration. i think we might be able to take you to arromanches, i am not sure. can we give you a quick view of what is happening? we have been spending a lot of time there today. a huge amount of focus is on arromanches. this is the scene at the moment. we are waiting for the service of remembrance and a minute's silence to begin at 3p an hour time. british veterans very much in evidence, descending into the square for a series of events that will be hosted by the local authority. —— at 3p an hour time. there will be music from the regimental bands. there will be a red arrows flypast similar to that when we saw yesterday when my colleague simon mccoy was in portsmouth. the red devils will put

ona portsmouth. the red devils will put on a parachute display later on along with their american counterparts, the golden knights. arromanches is an interesting place because it was very much kept clear of the d—day landings because they needed their beaches to be kept free for the portable harbour known as the mulberry harbour to be floated in to give them access to this beach. if you have ever been to arromanches where you are no parts of those artificial harbours are still in evidence today still in the sea, so the troops did not land in arromanches but winston churchill had famously put in a memo to lord mountbatten that there was a need to construct some floating pier heads. they must be able to float up and down with the tide said winston churchill. let me have the best solution. lord mountbatten said, as

we have been harbour at our disposal, we will bring our own. that is what they did. their various components were constructed in britain and towed across the channel and then assembled across the normandy coast. as we have been hearing the d—day landings are meant to happen on the 5th ofjune. because of terrible whether they we re because of terrible whether they were put off by another day. the mulberry harbours as they are now known where floating roadways and pier heads and they did bob up and down with the tide. to avoid the rough seas they were hollow concrete blocks and old hulks which were sunk in order to form a breakwater. you can see that very thing i am talking about still out in the sea. let's go back to arromanches and join anna foster. thank you. you can hear the sound. i had come into the main square. you can hear the raf band

playing behind me. we are waiting for the final group of veterans, the ones on and the bid care. they were at the ceremony earlier today in bayeux cathedral and bayer cemetery. —— boudicca. i have been watching you. all of these people behind shot, behind the barrier. tell me your story. what brought you to france? i have been coming here now for six times. once on the 6th of june 1944 and then every five years for their last five years. we can hearjust to for their last five years. we can hear just to have for their last five years. we can hearjust to have a good time. not to rememberthe hearjust to have a good time. not

to remember the bad times but be glad to be alive and meet all the lovely people here who make a fuss and make us happy to be here. people just come up and shake my hand and say, merci. this is why i can. what real memories that day? the memories of that day, i have wiped them out. i know you might like me to talk about the horror and the noise and the death but when i was demobbed and going home on the train to glasgow i cleared my head of what had been happening to me in their la st had been happening to me in their last four years and the only thing i rememberabout

last four years and the only thing i remember about that was the real heroes of that day cares we swept across the channel right in front of the armada but we dropped anchor off the armada but we dropped anchor off the beach. it was my good fortune that i did not have to go up that beach like those heroes i was watching. in fact, at breakfast time that morning, i was standing on the wing of the bridge, having a corned beef sandwich and a cup of cocoa, just another day at the office. when you are here on a day like today and it is something you do regularly, and you are in the presence of your fellow vetera ns, and you are in the presence of your fellow veterans, how does it feel to all be together in the same place at an event like this? well, there is a thing between the service meant that if you have been in any of the

fighting forces, there is a camaraderie and all the way around today, people have been saying hello. the only difference is, all those years ago, they would have said hello, jock but now they are just saying hello. the ceremony we are waiting for here that will happen in the parade ground behind you, are these particular moments, there is a real contrast as she walks through the streets of arromanches where people talk and smile and then there are moments like this people sit and listen and reflect. moments like this are really special, aren't they? well, because i am 94, i have had lots of special moments. d—day isjust another of them. how long do you have to hear my life story?”

another of them. how long do you have to hear my life story? i am sure it would take an awfully long time to go through everything. we arejust being time to go through everything. we are just being slightly drowned out at the moment. this particular event should have started by now but it is being delayed because they are on their way from bayer. —— bayeux. we are going to have more music. this is what they are explaining to us now. the crowded hugely expectant. there are thousands of people around the parade square here. we are going to hear more music from the raf band while we wait for the rest of vetera ns to while we wait for the rest of veterans to arrive. —— the crowd are hugely expectant. the crowd has turned out to meet you, wanting to shake your hand. i notice there are children here today. do you think

they understand the full significance of what took place here in the second world war and what the victory meant? i do not think they do. i do not think anybody really does appreciate the significance. my father was eddie somervell. he and i in ourdifferent areas, father was eddie somervell. he and i in our different areas, both fought the war to in our different areas, both fought the warto end in our different areas, both fought the war to end all wars. and here we are today, there are no wars going “ more wars are today, there are no wars going —— more wars going on in the world thanl —— more wars going on in the world than i ever have been, there are vicious people hiding behind religious mantels murdering innocent groups of citizens so why did my father and i bother? we say, don't

we, that the people change and the world changes. events like this are i suppose a moment to reflect and remember what brought us here and to move forward. that was the message we saw this morning from the ceremonies. charles, thank you so much for your time. thank you. charles joining much for your time. thank you. charlesjoining us on bbc news. as we said there had been so many different events that have been happening here today from first thing in the morning like the way through until now. in fact things will not wrap up here until about 11:30pm. let's look back at how the day has unfolded. french national anthem plays

applause singing

my most abiding memory on that day is of seeing our boys. we had been talking to them minutes before. they were cut down with machine gun fire. it was pretty bad at that time. they fell into the water, floating face down. and we could not get them out. we could not help them. and that is my most abiding memory, and i cannot forget it. hello. some sunshine around some of the showers we are seeing today.

through tomorrow and into saturday claudia and wetter weather for this area of low pressure which is pushing north across the uk. unusually windy for the time of year. this afternoon most of the rain is across the northern and western isles in scotland. north of the mainland it is showers elsewhere is some sunshine. becoming increasingly sunny in east anglia and the south east. the rain will peel away tonight. it is becoming quite chilly in parts of scotland. temperatures close to freezing. notice how cloud and rain pitches into parts of southern england. this isa into parts of southern england. this is a spell of heavy, persistent rain, pushing its way northwards across england and wales replacing any across england and wales replacing a ny early across england and wales replacing any early sunshine you may have. it may go into northern ireland stop a

few showers in western scotland. this easterly wind starts to pick up in parts of england and wales. the chance of heavy inventory downpours breaking out in the south. nowhere particularly warm. the north west of scotla nd particularly warm. the north west of scotland could see temperatures as high as 19 degrees. a few things going on in the south into friday, the wind is strengthening further. the gusts could be up to 50 mph. heavy and thundery downpours with the potential of a few torrential downpours in places. the low pressure is pushing northwards on saturday. you can see rain and winds swirling around. most of the wet weather is confined into england, scotla nd weather is confined into england, scotland and northern ireland. it will brighten up with the odd shower. wind gusts in parts of eastern england in excess of 40 miles an hour. it will be a blustery

and cool feeling saturday fourjune. a few showers around, particularly in scotland and ireland. there will be some sunshine occasionally and it will feel a little bit warmer as their winds slowly ease. —— is burgundy winds. this is bbc news. i'm anna foster in arromanches. tributes to the fallen heroes of d—day, 75 years on. hundreds of veterans gather in normandy for a day of commerative events, honouring those who helped liberate europe and change the course of world war two. the prime minister gives her thanks to the veterans and tells them june 6th1944 was a day when they helped build a better world. these young men belonged to a very special generation, the greatest generation.

a new memorial is unveiled to those who made the ultimate sacrifice — paid for with money raised by veterans. don't say i'm a hero. i'm no hero, iwas lucky. i'm here. all the heroes are dead, and i will never forget them as long as i live. the french and us presidents are also in normandy to pay tribute — donald trump tells veterans "our debt to you is everlasting". the other headlines on bbc news at 2:00pm. a devastating blow for bridgend, as ford confirms it's closing its engine plant there. 1,700 jobs are under threat. and an independent inquiry is launched into the running of a failed nhs trust amid concerns 150 deaths were not properly investigated.

this is bbc news. i'm anna foster. hundreds of veterans have gathered in normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of d—day. theresa may, and the french and american presidents have been attending commemorative events across northern france, to honour those who fought in one of the most momentous operations in military history — june the 6th1944 was a day that changed the course of the second world war. you can see in the square here in arromanches, so many people are waiting for the commemorative service here today. many of the big events have been long the normandy coast. a new foundation for the normandy memorial was inaugurated this morning. elsewhere, the

american commemorative service took place and of course, as we saw and heard earlier on, bayeux cathedral and cemetery, the first city to be liberated by allied forces here. this is the one real event in arromanches that has that poignancy to it. here you can see people, and you can see them in the street. many of them are gathered in period dress. the veterans move among them. there is a more celebratory, more commemorative tone here in arromanches but when the service starts, people here will fall silent and remember what happened on these beaches. the ceremony should have started a short while ago but they are still waiting. you can see some of those white chairs are empty so they are waiting for some of those vetera ns to they are waiting for some of those veterans to be transferred across from bayeux ceremony. they have not just had a long day but a long week.

they have been along different commemorative events across the south of england and they crossed the channel from portsmouth last night, arriving this morning, to be taken to the ceremony at ten mac cathedral. they have explained over the loudspeaker that they are giving them a little bit of extra time and space. these veterans are in their 90s and so it is an exhausting and emotional day, let's not forget. they are giving them a little bit of extra time and the sound you can hearin extra time and the sound you can hear in the background is the raf band who have been pressed into service to fill the gap while these crowds wait and watch here in arromanches. if you look up to see they're in the background, those dark lines along the horizon, if you have ever been to this particular pa rt have ever been to this particular part of northern france, you will know that arromanches is a famous location of the mulberry harbour and what you can see there is the remains of the big concrete blocks

that were towed and floated across here in the hours after d—day to set up here in the hours after d—day to set up the harbour that was so important to giving the troops a place to restock, to move and across and actually give them a calm breakwater. what we are just hearing in the background here, if you can't quite make it out clearly, they are making an announcement to say they will probably start this service very soon. will probably start this service very soon. as i was explaining they we re very soon. as i was explaining they were waiting for a final group of vetera ns to were waiting for a final group of veterans tojoin were waiting for a final group of veterans to join them. but as she is saying there, we are going to start i think without that final group because there are many other vetera ns as because there are many other veterans as well who have travelled here independently who are already in their seats and i think they are conscious they don't want to keep those particular elderly gentleman waiting. a round of applause here for lord done it, i believe.

the deputy mayor, a representative of the french government, the british government and mr tobias ellwood, the minister for veterans, who travelled across from england on the boudicca with a number of wonderful veterans in the last 24 hours. it is a great privilege that we are all here today. thank you so much. 75 years ago, seems a long time to many people but i am sure for some of the wonderful veterans who are here today, the memories are still very fresh. let us all remember during the course of the next few minutes just what you did 75 years ago to bring freedom and liberty and democratic values to

normandy, to france and to the whole of europe. and we shudder to think had the operation have failed, what europe would look like today. so, in joining in this commemoration we salute your memory. thank you for your service, thank you for your sacrifice and thank you for everything that you have done. i now invite mr patrick char dan, the mayor of arromanches, to say a few words. speaks french

this is the mayor of arromanches welcoming the thousands of people here to the main square. they are here to the main square. they are here for the particular ceremony thatis here for the particular ceremony that is held by the normandy vetera ns that is held by the normandy veterans association here in arromanches. many of the veterans who have travelled independently across the channel over the last couple of days are at this. very soon we

couple of days are at this. very soon we will have the welcome and a bidding prayer. they will be readings, of course, and there will be the last post, eight minute silence at the laying of priests. —— the laying of wreaths. we will be hearing the national anthem. they have been echoing in our ears at all of the different ceremonies. the new memorial was inaugurated this morning, and president trump and again, the french president, emmanuel macron, took part in a ceremony to remember the us troops who took utah and omaha beach is just down the coast from here. and you can see, and it's notable, the different groups of people here in arromanches this afternoon. there are the veterans who attract so much attention, who people want to speak

to, shake their hands. it has been said to me more than once, and i was talking to the family of one veteran a little earlier and they said he's like a celebrity today. everywhere we go, everywhere we take him. it ta kes we go, everywhere we take him. it takes us so long to walk down the main street here because everyone wa nts to main street here because everyone wants to stop him and speak, they wa nt to wants to stop him and speak, they want to shake his hand and take a picture. a lot of people just want to say thank you to these veterans because of course, we are now talking about gentlemen here who when they came onto the speech is exactly 75 years ago today were young men. 18, 19, 20 years old. some were slightly younger than 18, of course. now they are in their 90s andi of course. now they are in their 90s and i think every time they come to this event, they wonder whether it will be the last one that they will get to attend, the last time they will be able to take part in this, the last time they will be surrounded by comrades and sharing those memories. but what is absolutely clear, being here in normandy today, is there is a new

generation, be it the people who restore those military vehicles and parade them along the beach... it is high water arromanches at the moment but when the tide was out, there was a parade of hundreds of military vehicles lovingly and painstakingly restored by people who wanted to keep their memory alive and make sure that some of the younger generation who are here today had stories to here, things to see and memories to remember. things to really bring this d—day history to life. as you can hear, this is the mayor of arromanches that is addressing the assembled crowd. on either side of him there are vetera ns either side of him there are veterans from various forces, various regiments and then right at the back there are air cadets, a

pipe band, there is a choir as well. this really feels at the moment like arromanches has come to a stop and everybody is pressing into the railings around the square, hoping to catch a glimpse of those vetera ns, to catch a glimpse of those veterans, to feel part of this service today. everything has come toa service today. everything has come to a halt and there are people as well looking down from the elevated areas here at arromanches, looking down from the hill where the new d—day garden was opened a couple of hours ago and people have travelled from other areas down the coast. this is the place that they congregate, and they will do for the next few hours. waiting for the parade, waiting for the service.

so, let us remember before god all who took part in the normandy landings, for victory achieved on land, at sea and in the air and for the liberation of so many from occupation and oppression. we give thanks for those comrades who served in the british army, the royal navy, the merchant navy, the royal air force and all those from other countries who gave their lives courageously and who we remember with pride. and we pray that loyal to their example and their sense of duty, we may be ever vigilant of our freedom and peace and security. so let us in confidence join together in the words of the lord's prayer.

our father in heaven, hallowed be your name. your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. thine is the kingdom, power and glory for ever and ever. amen.

# love divine, all loves excelling # joy of heaven, to earth come down # fix in us your humble dwelling # all your faithful mercies crown # jesus, thou art all compassion # pure unbounded love thou art # visit us with thy salvation # enter every trembling heart

# come, almighty to deliver # let us all thy life receive # suddenly return, and never, nevermore thy temples leave # thee we would be always blessing # serve thee as thy hosts above # pray and praise thee without ceasing

# glory in thy perfect love # finish, then, thy new creation # pure and spotless let us be # let us see thy great salvation # perfectly restored in thee # changed from glory into glory # till in heav‘n we take our place

# till we cast our crowns before thee # lost in wonder, love, and praise.# please be seated for our reading. and the lord god spoke tojoshua and his armies. be strong and very courageous. be careful to obey all the laws my servant moses gave you.

do not turn to the right or the left that you may be successful wherever you go. keep my book of the law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night. so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. then you will be prosperous and successful. have i not provided you a strong and courageous? do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the lord your god will be with you wherever you go. and joshua answered, whatever you have commanded us, we will do. wherever you send us, we will go. and we will be strong and courageous. this is the word of the lord. thanks be to god.

shouts commands so, let us remember before god and commend to his sure keeping all those who have died for their country in war, those who we knew and whose memory we treasure today. and for all those who have lived and died in the service of humanity. please stand. they shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will rememberthem.

all: we will remember them. applause. lower lower case

fanfare please be seated as we come to the pa rt please be seated as we come to the part of the ceremony where the

wreaths are laid by our dignitaries and veterans. these will be laid by the town of arromanches with great thanks. a number of wreaths were laid prior to this service but i will now ask whether there are any veterans with any wreaths with them today to please bring them forward.

lone piper

the scene in arromanches on the normandy coast. welcome to our viewers. you join us in the ceremony for the normandy veterans association. the d—day 75 anniversary. hundreds of people joining veterans and dignitaries. reeds are being laid at the moment, not just the official wreaths, reeds are being laid at the moment, notjust the official wreaths, but also those brought by veterans from across the country. they are taking them and laying them outside the d—day museum that lies here. in the

shadow of mulberry harbour as the vetera ns shadow of mulberry harbour as the veterans watch and take part in the service, joining in the prayers and hymns, and really taking a moment to reflect on the significance of this place and this date, the 6th of june, 75 years since the doll. —— since d—day. sir richard will now lay a wreath on behalf of the spirit of normandy trust.

and now miss your and associates we re and now miss your and associates were laid bare wreaths on behalf of a grateful town and country. monsieur le mayor and associates.

bagpipes play

stand at ease! lam now i am now going to read a poem. the author was unknown to us. it is a poignant poem and i will need the assistance of a very special friend of mine. we asked them why they do it in they still parade. now they are getting older and just a little frayed. it is not for the sake of glory or the medals on their chest, it is simply they were comrades who stoked the final test. on the 6th ofjune, that

fateful day, a day they will never forget that many a lad laid down his life to age the final debt. so when you see a better and may give the man your hand for the medals on his chest where one in foreign lands. and when god asks the question, who are you my man? he will proudly answer. . . are you my man? he will proudly answer... sir, i am a veteran. applause so let us pray. almighty god we pray for the peace in the world that i can make your holy spirit, we may continually try for peace founded on

righteousness and that by the courageous example shown by those who have laid down their lives, paying the ultimate sacrifice of war and conflict, that we may all come to you united in freedom and justice throughout the world. we pray especially on this 75th anniversary of the normandy landings, for france, great britain and all our allies who stood together in the dark days of war securing victory and hopeful future days. we remember all those who suffer as a result of war, the injured and disabled, those who carry emotional scars. for those who carry emotional scars. for those

who are grieved, all those suffering serious grief, confusion, anger or desperation, bringing comfort and hope. god, our love and compassion, hear our prayers as we thank your love, jesus christ... we are going to stand and alljoining now on our next him. eternal father, to stand and alljoining now on our next him. eternalfather, strong to stand and alljoining now on our next him. eternal father, strong to say.

# eternal father, strong to save, whose arm does bind the restless # wave, who bids the mighty ocean deep # its own appointed limits keep # o hear us when we cry to thee # for those in peril on the sea.

they sing eternal father! strong to save let us pray. oh, lord god, we give thanks to you this day for our presence here in this place where we have gathered to honour those who died in the normandy landings and also give thanks to those survivors, both present here in arromanches or in other places, remembering their

comrades. so let us pray together the prayer for normandy veterans. o eternal lord god we remember before you all those involved in the normandy campaign and subsequent battles. we pray for those who lost their lives in that conflict and in conflict since that time. give them eternal peace. we give you thanks for the bravery and fortitude of all who took part, bringing about peace in europe. the mindful sacrifices of so many, we pray for all the normandy veterans who worked for peace and reconciliation. for the

sake of your son, amen. heavenly father, we give thanks to the men of the merchant navy who gave their lives to the cause of freedom and justice. those who showed courage in the waters. we ask this in the name of christ, our lord, amen. and so we pledge ourselves to all humanity for a call of peace on all nations. in

ways ofjustice a call of peace on all nations. in ways of justice and a call of peace on all nations. in ways ofjustice and peace, we remain faithful to you now and always. amen. we now have our national anthem. # god save our gracious queen long live our noble queen # god save the queen # send her victorious # happy and glorious # long to reign over us # god save the queen. #

# allons enfants de la patrie le jour de gloire est arrive # contre nous de la tyrannie l'etendard sangla nt est leve # l'etendard sanglant est leve # entendez—vous dans les campagnes mugir ces feroces soldats # ils viennentjusque dans vos bras egorger vos fils, vos compagnes! # aux armes, citoyens formez vos bataillons # marchons, marchons

# qu'un sang impur abreuve nos sillons # applause standard—bearer, stand at ease. standard-bearer, stand at ease. we will now have our blessing and we will now have our blessing and we will follow this with a rendition of the white cliffs of dover. please bow your heads for god's blessing. may the god of all power and might make you strong in faith and love. defend you on every side and invite

you in peace. by the blessing of god almighty, theirfather, you in peace. by the blessing of god almighty, their father, the you in peace. by the blessing of god almighty, theirfather, the sun you in peace. by the blessing of god almighty, their father, the sun and the holy spirit be with you and those who you love this day and always. amen. the white cliffs of dover. we are going to have that dambusters march one and then white cliffs of dave. —— day there.

dover. the dambuster march plays

music: the dambusters march

applause

# we'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when # but i know we'll meet again some sunny day

the white cliffs of dover ringing around the main town square of arromanches. the veterans are singing, people around the square are singing, the flags of the countries involved here on d—day, billowing out towards the water. i am joined by sculptor david williams and s. and i say you are a sculptor, particularly today, the d—day sculpture just down the road here thatis sculpture just down the road here that is your work. you got to see it this morning and all its glory. an extraordinary experience, the culmination of two years work. i started it over two years ago and to see it in place, honouring the 22,442 who died in d—day at normandy, it was a very moving moment. we had president macron, the

prime minister, who seemed visibly moved by it and said as much. it was a poignant and amazing moment for me. the way things are at the moment the normandy memorial will be built around it for 22,000 names. at the moment it isjust around it for 22,000 names. at the moment it is just your sculpture standing on the prom entry. moment it is just your sculpture standing on the prom entrylj installed it about ten days ago and it sat on granite with a three tonne sculpture on top of it. it is extraordinary, overlooking here at arromanches at the mussel beds on the beach. it is an extraordinary situation. it sits triumphantly in an unusual way. they will start immediately next week, they will wrap it up and they will build around it the whole memorial which prince charles will open on the 6th ofjune prince charles will open on the 6th of june next year. prince charles will open on the 6th ofjune next year. i know that was particularly poignant because of

your own family history, your family naval history. your father was involved in the second world war. the best friend of my father who i saw today, he was a midshipman at sword beach, my father was the same age as my youngest son when he supported the normandy landings. he was probably d—day plus three, four and five, he was shipping and supplies to keep the troops applied. thank you so much for sharing that. ican thank you so much for sharing that. i can only imagine what it must have felt like to be there to see it finally installed after all that work. that will continue over the next year or so. the white cliffs of dover has come to an end. that is all from us here. thank you so much. and i are taking part and commentating on those proceedings, the service of remembrance, that is

taking place today in normandy. it is a very beautiful day for all of this to be taking place. we now have the fly— past of to be taking place. we now have the fly—past of the various aircraft. always gives you a thrill and a chill to see that overhead. surviving veterans of course, many of them approaching 100 years of age this 75th anniversary of the d—day landings. for them it will be the final opportunity for them to return to these beaches in northern france and the battlefields where they bought and pay tribute to friends and colleagues they left behind in the second world war. many of them are buried in cemeteries, which are looked after so beautifully by the

commonwealth war graves commission, not just commonwealth war graves commission, notjust in europe but in other parts of the world which were affected by that conflict. in those cemeteries, many, many thousands of people who fell and are in unnamed grades. so there is still more to come, of course in arromanches. some more planes flying across to applause. and, of course, although this is looking back 75 years to this is looking back 75 years to this extraordinary operation overlord, which changed the course of the war and helped to bring the fighting in this part of europe to an end, there had been new elements

that had been introduced to us today. we have just that had been introduced to us today. we havejust been hearing from the sculptor who created that wonderful new sculpture that was just down the coast, three soldiers emerging from the sea as part of the d—day landings and to commemorate those who died. as well there is this d—day 75 garden which has been opened today. a lasting legacy from british veterans who were attending these poignant commemorations in normandy. it was the garden that was only just about five days ago normandy. it was the garden that was onlyjust about five days ago at normandy. it was the garden that was only just about five days ago at the chelsea flower show. they have picked it up in its entirety, dismantled it, and transported it over the channel, not that far, admittedly, to normandy, and it has been rebuilt with the help of the royal engineers and garden designer

john everest has instilled it on a beautiful sight above arromanches, which is the focus of so many of the commemorations today and overlooks the famous remnants of mulberry harbour. it has been officially opened today for the 50 veterans. there is a wonderful 360 degrees cinema just above the town. well worth a visit if you ever get the opportunity. much more from arromanches. stay with us if you can on bbc news. now for the weather forecast. hello. some sunshine around some of the showers we are seeing today. unusually windy for the time of year. some showers around. tonight it

becomes mainly dry, telling chilean rural parts of scotland, the pennines and northern ireland with their few spots pennines and northern ireland with theirfew spots in pennines and northern ireland with their few spots in single figures. —— chile in rural parts. the low pressure will send wetter and windier weather northwards. pushing into southern scotland were showers in western scotland. the potential for heavy and thundery downpours developing in the south on friday. saturday gomez to the rain across the northern half of the uk. wendy with sudden showers and less windy on saturday. —— windy.

this is bbc news. i'm martine croxall. the headlines at 4:00pm. last post plays. hundreds of veterans gather in normandy for a day of commemorative events, honouring those who helped liberate europe and change the course of world war two. the prime minister gives her thanks to the veterans, and tells them june 6th1944 was a day when they helped build a better world. a new memorial is unveiled to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, paid for with money raised by veterans. don't say i'm a hero. i'm no hero. i was lucky, i'm here.

all the heroes are dead. and i'll neverforget them, as long as i live. this is the scene live in caen, as the day of commemorative events continues. in other news, a devastating blow for bridgend, as ford confirms it's closing its engine plant there. 1700 jobs are under threat. and an independent inquiry is launched into the running of a failed nhs trust, amid concerns 150 deaths were not properly investigated.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. hundreds of veterans have gathered in normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of d—day. prime minister theresa may and the french and american presidents have been attending commemorative events across northern france, to honour those who fought in one of the most momentous operations in military history — june 6th, 1944 was a day that changed the course of the second world war. my colleague matthew price is in caen. welcome to caen in normandy. we have been watching the commemorations and remembrance services that have been taking place in this part of western france throughout the day so far. onjune the 6th,1944,

onjune the 6th, 1944, when german soldiers, nazis, realised the invasion was taking place, they shot and killed 83 french resistance fighters in a prison not farfrom here, in cold blood. in this city then, the civilians realise they would soon come under attack from allied forces and try to take the city from the germans. for the next 43 days, 10,000 of them waited inside this building, trying to keep themselves safe. red crosses were painted on the roof to alert allied commanders this building should not be attacked. today, much of the remembrance services have been based around the soldiers who fought. we have seen services at the united states cemetery in normandy. we have also seen services at a new memorial to be established for british service personnel who fought and died on the beaches of normandy. and in arromanches there is a continuing service, as you

in arromanches there is a continuing service, as you can in arromanches there is a continuing service, as you can see, going on right now just above service, as you can see, going on right nowjust above one of the beaches on which british forces landed 75 years ago today. it has been a day of remembrance and commemoration. a day on which president donald trump, president macron of france, prime minister justin trudeau of canada, and to reason may, as one of her last appearances as prime minister, ahead of her expected resignation tomorrow, pay their respects to the fallen and honoured those who survived the d—day landings and went on to help liberate france. my colleague graham satchell has this review of everything that has happened today. last post plays they gather perhaps for the last time. today, a chance to remember the dead and to pay tribute

to those still alive. the veterans in normandy today, the last survivors of the greatest generation, who liberated europe from the tyranny of nazi rule. news archive: this is it, they are on the beach, plunging waist deep into the sea... 75 years ago, the world held its breath as the first landing crafts made their way onto the beaches. it was the biggest naval invasion in history and the fighting was fierce, chaotic. the lads were going down the ramps and getting knocked off by the machine gun. young fellows who we were talking to minutes before the machine guns were taking them. they were in the water being rolled over by the tide and you wanted to get them out, but we couldn't. we couldn't help them. you can't describe it.

lowering the ramp onto bodies of 615, you didn't know whether they were alive or dead. it used to give me nightmares. at 6:25am this morning, a lone piper played a lament. it was the exact moment british forces started their attack 75 years ago. piper plays just along the coast, a new statue. it shows three ordinary soldiers fighting their way up the beach. the prime minister, theresa may, and french president, emmanuel macron, joined normandy veterans for the inauguration. these young men belonged to a very special generation, the greatest generation.

a generation whose unconquerable spirit shaped our post—war world. if one day can be said to have determined the fate of generations to come, in france, in britain, in europe and the world, that day was the 6th ofjune, 1944. much of the money for this statue has been raised by veterans, in particular 93—year—old harry billing, a sapper in the royal engineers, who landed on gold beach onjune the 6th. they say i'm a hero. i'm no hero. i was lucky, i'm here. all the heroes are dead and i never forget them as long as i live. there are commemorations across normandy today. this is bayeux cathedral and the service of remembrance, bayeux the first

city to be liberated. when my life is over and i reach the other side, i'll meet my friends from normandy and shake their hands with pride. the american cemetery at coleville—sur—mer next to omaha beach. of all the allied forces on d—day itself, the americans saw the heaviest losses here. atjuno beach, canadian veterans also remembered the fallen. singing. bayeux cemetery. there are more than 4,000 servicemen buried here, most of them british.

it is by far the hardest place for the d—day veterans to come. crowd sings. each veteran invited to lay a wreath to remember their brothers in arms, the men who paid the ultimate sacrifice. they shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. we will rememberthem. white like this is one of those places that until you come here and

visit the places we have heard so much about, the names we know, the beaches, arromanches, bayeux and caen, until you come here and see it for yourself, it is very difficult to imagine what those veterans we saw in graham satchell‘s report went through. that is why the commemorations today have been so important and significant. they have given everyone going to those commemorations and everyone watching on television as well, a sense of exactly what some very young people went through. the british soldiers, many of them not fighting in battle before, in their late teens, 16, 17 and 18 years old. a colossal effort, reflected in many of the services. we can go just towards the coast from where i am right now and see some pictures from the ceremony at

coleville where french president emmanuel macron is expected to speak in the next half an hour or so. this is close to sword beach, interesting because it's where a number of three french army soldiers, a small group of them numbering just less than 200, sword beach is where they arrived as part of the d—day landings 75 years ago. as you walk through the streets just off the beach, there are flags and pendants up beach, there are flags and pendants up on the lamp posts and along the streets commemorating the names of french soldiers who themselves died here liberating their own country. they were coming ashore along with allied forces as well. we talk a lot about british and american soldiers, but there were of course canadians, the french, a dutch contingent, a belgian contingent, norwegians and

rhodesia, the former british colony now known as zimbabwe. soldiers from many parts of the world. let's talk a little bit about that with james holland, an author and historian. you canjoin holland, an author and historian. you can join us holland, an author and historian. you canjoin us from holland, an author and historian. you can join us from arromanches. as you reflect on today, quite naturally a lot of the focus has been on the british and the american effort. they were the bulk of the forces, and yet this was genuinely an allied effort, was it not? it absolutely was. i am glad you singled out the canadians because they punched massively above their weight, notjust on d—day and in the normandy campaign but throughout the second world war, a whole group at bomber command made up of canadians. they were in every part of the raf. they were in every part of the raf. the royal canadian navy played a pivotal role in the battle of the atlantic. they were in sicily, italy, and here at d—day and in the

normandy campaign and through to belgium and holland as well, fighting an incredibly bitter and difficult campaign. their part was absolutely enormous. thinking about it, d—day, we are marking it today, quite rightly, but it was the start. i was quite rightly, but it was the start. iwas in quite rightly, but it was the start. i was in amsterdam last week at the resista nce i was in amsterdam last week at the resistance museum there. there was a scrapbook that somebody in hiding in amsterdam during the war had made. they had written down d—day, finally we are going to be liberated. and it still took months. eight months i think in the case of the netherlands, for full liberation to occur. you have to remember that germany was not throwing in the towel. it had long reached a point where it would not win the war but it was an incredibly difficult battle. you had fanatical soldiers, highly disciplined soldiers, soldiers who did not want to be there but would be shocked if they

turned away, and they had decent weapons, making them a formidable enemy. it was hard scrapping all the way. one has to think about but we we re way. one has to think about but we were in afghanistan for 14 years with the most modern weaponry the world has known and we couldn't com pletely world has known and we couldn't completely defeat a bunch of people largely equipped with rpgs, ieds and the allies did fantastically well to when in the time they did considering the opposition they were up considering the opposition they were up against. we are told president macron has arrived in coleville where another of the commemorative events will take place today. as he does so, james, talk to us about the french resistance. the guests we've had here in caen through the day have said they played a pivotal role in telling the allies what they would expect, both geographically and on the ground here. they did,

that's completely true. the resista nce that's completely true. the resistance came in many different ways. one of the most important thing is, the allies had a huge amount of troops and supplies are stacked up in the uk but as soon as they touch down on d—day, the race was on to see who could build up material strength the quickest, the allies or the germans. the most important thing for the allies was to slow the german response, and you could do that by bombing bridges and blowing up railways with the air power, and that played a pivotal role, but another way to do that was with the french resistance, who played a really, really important role in slowing up the german response to the normandy invasion and d—day landings. blowing up railway lines, sabotaging roads and elsewhere. and there was the intelligence picture, as you mention. the 10,000 eyes of french civilians reporting back a whole network of resistance, reporting

back troop movements, describing nooks and crannies and where broncos we re nooks and crannies and where broncos were along the coastline. they played an important role. —— where bunkers were. the allied effort was coordinated, led by british and americans, but many including canadians and the french, played an important part in liberating their own country. that will be the focus of the french president emmanuel macron's words. he is now arriving in colleville on the coast close to sword beach, where french forces arrived along with allied forces. this will be the third speech of the day he has made. and we are told it is the one that will focus... obviously when he was standing with theresa may he talked about the british effort. when he stood next to donald trump he spoke about the american effort. here he will talk

about both the french resistance and french civilians. let us not forget they were living under occupation. a very different experience to the british experience of the second world war. they lived under occupation for all those years and in this part of france, all of a sudden, the war was on. it came to their doorsteps and it was a frightening experience. it most certainly was. the carnage that was unleashed, the typhoon of steel that swept over normandy was absolutely horrendous. whole towns were com pletely horrendous. whole towns were completely destroyed. there is some rather amazing colour footage photographs of one of the main cities of normandy to the west, and it looks like those awful pictures of aleppo we are more familiar with now. a town that is completely ruined. whole villages utterly destroyed, completely flattened. villages inland that saw bitter

fighting. in one village, just one house was left standing. the sacrifice was huge on the part of the french. i spoke to a young frenchman the other day and asked how he felt about the levels of destruction wrought on france and normandy and the number of casualties, french casualties, that came as a result of the fighting. he said, yes, but, they liberated 50 million. i thought that was rather a profound comment. french president emmanuel macron is now inspecting the troops who are standing there. we were watching the rehearsals for this event yesterday afternoon up there on the normandy coast. it was interesting. it is a small community, low rise buildings, looks just like a seaside village, as it is. it is a village on the english channel, a village which normally doesn't see anything like this level of activity. and yet you could tell from talking to people there and

looking at the way they were watching the preparations for this ceremony today, that emmanuel macron is now at, you could tell how much this is a part of peoples lives today, not just because this is a part of peoples lives today, notjust because tourists come through and are intrigued and interested to find out what happened, but because their grandparents were around at the time. in some cases, their parents we re time. in some cases, their parents were around and live through this. absolutely. i think the normandy people feel proud of this heritage and the part they played in the liberation of france. the allies landed here on the shores of normandy, and the end of nazi tyranny began here. i think it is wonderful that macron will be recognising the part played by the french. it shouldn't be underestimated and we shouldn't cut them out of the story at all.|j

underestimated and we shouldn't cut them out of the story at all. i was talking to someone here, one of the city councillors in caen who was with emmanuel macron yesterday. he saw him in portsmouth, and he was also at the prison, a small ceremony that was only really covered in france, but the prison here in caen where the german nazi forces, on the sixthjune, where the german nazi forces, on the sixth june, this day where the german nazi forces, on the sixthjune, this day 75 where the german nazi forces, on the sixth june, this day 75 years where the german nazi forces, on the sixthjune, this day 75 years ago, killed 83 french resistance fighters, who had been imprisoned by the nazis in that prison. on the sixthjune the nazis in that prison. on the sixth june as the nazis in that prison. on the sixthjune as that invasion began, we re sixthjune as that invasion began, were taken out of the prison to the back, i was told that their hands we re back, i was told that their hands were tied behind their backs and they were all shot. that was part of their response to the invasion. they knew they would have to fight hard and brutally to repel it, which they couldn't. this counsellor i was speaking to told me that emmanuel macron feels that stories like that,

that history of resistance, he feels that history of resistance, he feels that very strongly and he has an emotional strong bond to that. i think we have seen that in his speeches today. i mightjump in on your answer if the french president begins to speak, but i find it interesting you keep linking back to the events of 75 years ago and the wa rfa re we the events of 75 years ago and the warfare we saw then to some of the modern wars, comparing with afghanistan, speaking of places like aleppo. i wonder if you have any thoughts on the way president macron has spoken today on the way global institutions and alliances that emerged after the second world war, the united nations, european union, nato. he has very deliberately spoken of those and the need to preserve those. macron is an internationalist. the truth is, it was the western democratic forces,

an internationalforce, was the western democratic forces, an international force, that was the western democratic forces, an internationalforce, that won was the western democratic forces, an international force, that won the second world war. i think it is a little bit worrying, that the rise of nationalism is rearing its ugly head again and i think we should cherish those international organisations. as far as i am concerned, macron is 100% preaching to the converted. it is very important to keep hold of those. in unity we have peace. infraction, it is easy to go toward again. one of the things the second world war shows us is the fragility of peace. we have had long years of peace since the second world war, and thank goodness for that. yet we must never take it for granted. it is important at these anniversaries we pause to consider our situation today and reflect back on history. the point of history is not that human behaviour ever repeats itself, but patterns of behaviour do. i think we ignore those lessons at our peril. it was interesting, president

macron, when he was at the ceremony with british prime minister theresa may, the words he used, saying the debates of the present in no way ta ke debates of the present in no way take away from the past. he also linked into our common history lasts yea rs linked into our common history lasts years beyond these moments and vetera ns years beyond these moments and veterans demand it. he had a similar message in front of president trump, who acknowledged the words and smiled at him as he said it. he had a similar message that to be faithful to the memory of the vetera ns faithful to the memory of the veterans is faithful to the memory of the veterans is never faithful to the memory of the veterans is never to forget what their sacrifice led to and in effect never to separate from these alliances. it'll be interesting to see what he has to say here in coming moments. james, i know you have been to several of these. i think i am right in saying you first came to normandy for the 60th anniversary. i wonder, came to normandy for the 60th anniversary. iwonder, as came to normandy for the 60th anniversary. i wonder, as we get closer to the inevitable, the fact that there will be no more veterans left alive from d—day and from the

normandy invasion, how do we keep the memory of what happened alive?|j think it is important we do that. it is important we continue to have these commemorations, these gatherings, that family members of those who were here continue to keep that torch a flame. fortunately we have recorded a lot of their memories. we have huge archives, diaries and letters. it is important people continue to write books and make television programmes, films, and keep it absolutely at the forefront, and consider what a truly catastrophic global conflict the second world war was. today's world was shaped by that conflict. it will continue to be shaped by it for many yea rs continue to be shaped by it for many years and generations to come. it is a lwa ys years and generations to come. it is always important to look back. it is a lwa ys always important to look back. it is always important to look back. it is always important to look back. it is always important to reflect, it's a lwa ys always important to reflect, it's always important to reflect, it's always important to reflect, it's always important to consider the

patterns of history and the past and how we can learn from that. what i have really felt in the last few days was not i was here in normandy on monday and portsmouth yesterday, andi on monday and portsmouth yesterday, and i think there is a feeling eve ryo ne and i think there is a feeling everyone wants to say thank you to that generation before it is too late. we are all conscious that they are in their twilight and that golden generation is slipping away. but i sense something more as well, a feeling that people are determined this should never happen again and we should all work to preserve their memory and preserve our understanding of what happened all those years ago. for all those who have been involved here. and look at it, look how many people are behind me, and in arromanches, you will have seen the crowds in normandy today who want to be here and be a pa rt today who want to be here and be a part of it, witness it and pay their respects. i think that is immensely encouraging, i have to say. james, stay with us. we would like to show

you the backdrop behind me, caen. i would like to explain more about what was happening in this city on this day 75 years ago. the building behind me was at that point a secondary school, and in eight civilians started to arrive on this day as they heard of the invasion. they drew massive red cross is up there on the roof. that was designed to tell allied aircraft and allied bombers, who they knew were coming and had started to bomb the city, because the germans were occupying it, it told them there were refugees in there, people taking shelter. on the first night, some several hundred took shelter. within days there were thousands inside. for 43 days, while the liberation of caen was fought for, thousands of people we re was fought for, thousands of people were in that building. if we show

the gardens, and show the city in its splendour, there is the church of saint etienne over there that was hit by some allied bombers. they decided they had to attack this city. the germans were in force here. i am told that at this time on the 6th ofjune there was panic among german troops, rushing around and beginning to get brutal. we have reflected on some of that with their killing of some prisoners of war. you can see the cathedral church of saint etienne. the left—hand side of it, they have left the damage intact. it took a direct hit. it was one of about a third of this city's buildings which were damaged. james was talking about some of the image of the damage from 75 years ago in this part of france. absolutely agree with him, it is reminiscent of the images we see coming out of

places like aleppo, syria, and other towns that have been bombarded and hit for so long now. this part of europe was very much the same 75 yea rs europe was very much the same 75 years ago. it is also interesting to note here, if we bring the camera back gradually now that on the streets behind here, you can't see them from here, but on the streets behind here, one of the main streets, walking past cafes and bars as people were out last night. we we re as people were out last night. we were walking along last night and there was bunting above us with the british flag, the united states flag, the french flag, and also the german flag. i flag, the french flag, and also the germanflag. i met flag, the french flag, and also the german flag. i met a german television crew here who said, it must be a mistake, it must be the belgian flag, which has the same colours. i asked the city authorities and they said it was the german flag, it was meant to be there, and it was a deliberate act of friendship to remember all those

who fought in this war. we are so far away from the war, and you talk about preserving memories so it can't happen again. it was interesting speaking to the tour guides in this area about german visitors coming here. i believe there is a german cemetery in the area. it is particularly difficult, i think, for germans to come, and yet they are coming and paying their own respects. i think that is fantastic. i think it must be incredibly difficult for so many german veterans. obviously some were fanatical nazis but a lot of them we re fanatical nazis but a lot of them were just young men caught up fanatical nazis but a lot of them werejust young men caught up in fanatical nazis but a lot of them were just young men caught up in a war completely out of their control. i had tojoin up and fight and had no choice in the matter whatsoever. james, iam no choice in the matter whatsoever. james, i am sorry to interrupt you on that important point. president macron is approaching the podium. we

will listening to what he has to say. translation: mr secretary of state, the department of the armies and the head of the army, the navy, ladies and gentlemen, mps, president of the regional council, president of the regional council, president of the regional council, president of the departmental council, their prefect, officers, marine officers, sailors, ladies and gentlemen. on the 6th ofjune, d—day, a day when history shifted, one of those dates where the destiny of france, europe and the world was at stake. there is no need to give you the year. i do not need to tell you

where. the 6th ofjune, the dawn of the liberation, the sunset of nazism and the first glow of a new dawn. at the beaches of calvados in the channel seemed so calm there, and you have to use your imagination to represent them to yourself as they we re represent them to yourself as they were in spring 1944. today, before us is —— and open horizon, clear piece, 75 years ago at the crack of dawn in the sky there were squadrons, the greatest fleet ever seen. squadrons, the greatest fleet ever seen. the sands of the pale beaches

are luminous today but 75 years ago it was red with the blood of men from mines, barbed wires, bunkers, ploughed with a deluge of fire and steel. and on this normandy coast 75 yea rs steel. and on this normandy coast 75 years ago, nearly 150,000 soldiers came in from the usa, the uk, canada, commonwealth and other countries, launching an attack on the north atlantic wall, and today they come together in brotherhood and we render homage, so aware of what three generations of the french owe to those who died in the landings and their veterans. amongst them there were the french who landed with the allied forces to ta ke landed with the allied forces to take part in this armada of courage

and liberty, freedom. they werejust and liberty, freedom. they werejust a handful, indeed but a handful of warriors a symbol, such a powerful symbol of the honour of france and if they were not that many, these french heroes of the 6th ofjune where every where, on land, on sea, in the year. pilots working with the usual —— us air force, sailors on the vessels of the free french forces, parachutists the vessels of the free french forces, pa rachutists landing the vessels of the free french forces, parachutists landing in brittany to support the local resista nce brittany to support the local resistance and fight the resistance. june 1944, they were the 177 under the chief of command. those french people who often were also french

from the 18th ofjune 1940 people who often were also french from the 18th ofjune1940 who had gone to london to join general charles de gaulle and had lost faith in their own country to surrender freedom to it again. the 6th of june, they landed at sword beach, it is 0735, half tide and moved by the waves they arrive. on board the 177 men, pushed by the icy waters and with the british emblem, the tricolour of france, and immediately fire lands upon them, the artillery,

the difficulty on the earth, the first injured, the first dead, soldiers with 30 kilograms backpacks have to face sustained fire from the enemy and against all odds they make progress. they go forwards. they run, they lie down, they crawl, they stand up and again they attack, after hours and hours of endless combat, a first silence succeeds and follows sound and fury and horror. the block is neutralised. the men continue towards the bridges, pegasus bridge and they managed 70 days without being relieved, 78 days

and thanks to them that page of history is not only written in france but through french people. they were the honour of our country. but on the beaches of verdun, omaha, juno, utah, everybody was a brother in arms. and it is that alliance of free forces that dealt with the nazi resista nce free forces that dealt with the nazi resistance but in the following hours and days nothing was achieved, definitely and everything had to be defended and there were still conquests to be made and it all relied upon thread, that of courage. on the evening of the 6th ofjune, a

small bridge of narrow existence, but that is what was vital and for the nazi occupation it was the beginning of the end. france knows all that it owes to the soldiers of the landings all of the military cemeteries remind us how great their sacrifices were. on the 6th ofjune, 3000 soldiers lost their lives in the battle of normandy, 200,000 soldiers were injured or killed. to those heroes, thanks to whom we live freely, it is our recognition which is imperishable and constant that we express today and through their suffering they realise their glory. among our 177 fusiliers, nearly 60

we re among our 177 fusiliers, nearly 60 were injured on the 6th ofjune and others fell and they died for france. died as heroes. when the battle of normandy was over 21 commandos had given their lives. jean masson was one of those hundred and 77 heroes and he left us a few weeks ago. jean masson was 21 when he jumped from his craft to once again feel the french earth. after a few minutes,

he was hit by a shell and enveloped inflames, he he was hit by a shell and enveloped in flames, he was more or less considered dead and his injuries we re considered dead and his injuries were serious but he survived. this morning at the very hour of the landings, his ashes were put out in the sea where his greatness was achieved and among the 177 in the command there were some people from brittany, normandy, alsace, from france and from beyond france. some had resisted from june 1940 and others had been in the africa army and others had made it —— met in the spanish campus. they were from schools, workers, police inspectors, post workers, and some believed in heaven and some not. there were some young married people and adolescents

who became adults far too quickly, among them rene, born in tunisia. it was only 17 and lied about his age in order to be able to enlist. he discovered france for the first time on the 6th ofjune1944. all of them, they knew the risk of their mission. all, however accepted to carry it out. the day before, in the evening, they had been brought together and the commander told them what the risks were. he told them that he would not blame anybody who gave up, but the next day, they were all present. none of them would have given up being there. those who

trained without pity and had earned the right to carry this mythical green beret, well, there was the head of the naval vessel, a respected sailor and leader of men, and all of them put aside their personal lives and gave up their individual interests to take up a cause that was beyond them. to serve. cause that was beyond them. to serve. to honour liberty and freedom. today on this beach at the heart of the epic story, france hours before the 177 of the commando —— powers before. and before the last vetera ns —— powers before. and before the last veterans of d—day. here, i would like in particular to distinguish a veteran of the key for

commando and i would like to think in particular of his co—soldiers who could notjoin us today. but who are with us in our thoughts. thank you, you three. you will not even 22 when you landed on that beach and it wasn't the first of your glorious exploits. you we re first of your glorious exploits. you were in the atlantic convoys and with the submarines when you were in africa and you fought throughout the normandy battle, throughout those 78 days without giving up from one end to the other. 75 years later, you are here. a heroic soldier of

liberty, today your indefatigable fight of memory, the same way you have passed on the fibre to your grandson who is sitting next to you, you convey your memories to the young generations and you make sure that the memories of your comrade to live on. everyone here remembers your friendship with the german vetera ns your friendship with the german veterans of normandy, and in 2014, your embrace under the eyes of the world moves hearts and peoples minds. enemies on d—day, but brothers today. that embrace embodied the franco german reconciliation and it is a deep symbol for hope in humanity and in european peace. you, you who thought during the great war, we stand

before you with gratitude words cannot express and i want commit myself before you that we will protect intact the colours of your heroic youth and the teaching of your virtues. and you have always kept with you a memory of your comrades who fell when they were so young. your example will be kept. there is an indestructible hope. it is by drawing on the memories of your bravery cut fellow soldiers

drew new courage to give their lives again to save others. that is on the basis of following your example. so offices of the marines, quarter masters, sailors, you are the worthy inheritors of those heroes and all of those who went before you. since you have been through the commando training course we are giving you your green beret is. , wearing it should be a pride us on —— a source of pride and honour because it put you in the glorious tradition of the history i have mentioned, of those heroes of the major commandant, and you have earned that beret after

strict selection, hard training, and all of you have come from exceptional units forged of audacity, discipline and self sacrifice and courage. france can count on you and knows that, and it does. because the flame of the commandos has never gone out and it still burns like the flame of the resistance. the french youth, the stu d e nts of resistance. the french youth, the students of today hear the message of those before you and you are there inheritors. because soon it will be up to you to protect that flame that they protected and to

continue for a society of freedom, peace, dialogue and brotherhood, to be vigilant in dealing with fanaticism, obscure reason, ignorance because today these are still deadly dangers. that commitment that you are called upon to follow, you should always know how to soak it in the memory of the 6th ofjune and the lessons of that bravery. that is where you come from and that is where you were born. the dawn of the 6th ofjune, we have held its promises for 75 years now and it should not fade. we must not betray it. so, let us continue to embrace this spirit of freedom and courage, born by if you who are the source courage, born by if you who are the source of our pride so that the longest day should never end and

continue without weakening. and declare our century. thank you, long live the republic, long live france. applause the presidents of france, emmanuel macron, there, speaking on the normandy coast a few miles from where he was at another commemoration this morning.

we also saw him earlier in the day speaking to donald trump, of course, who has been in britain on a state visit and timed it to coincide with the 75th anniversary commemorations of the normandy d—day landings. president macron paying tribute to all of those who showed courage, and fought, and in many cases gave their lives to save others be they in the military or in the french resistance. and then, looking forward , resistance. and then, looking forward, he awarded greenjean masson to a new generation of commandos taking place in this event today —— he awarded green a berets today —— he awarded green a berets toa today —— he awarded green a berets to a new generation of commandos. pipers play

drummers begin

speaking in french

they speak in french

a very proud moment for these new, young troops who, as we heard emmanuel macron saying, had finished their training and emmanuel macron saying, had finished theirtraining and are emmanuel macron saying, had finished

their training and are now receiving their training and are now receiving the green beret. these are the commandos who wear the beret there and they operate as part of the special operation forces of the french navy. and as we can see, they are meeting other experienced members of the military from different parts of the french armed forces, and in particular some of the green beret veterans who have had the opportunity to see the next generation receive that all—important sign of the regiment that they belong to. a particularly auspicious and memorable day for them to receive it on, the 6th of june, 75 years after those d—day

landings. just worth reminding ourselves of some of the extraordinary statistics of just who played a part in the d—day landings 75 years ago, 1944. 156,000 allied troops. landing on five beaches across the coast of normandy, many of which have seen commemorations held today. there were 7000 chips —— ships and landing crafts which carried 10,000 vehicles. and, as we heard from the historians who have been speaking to us throughout the commemorations, the landings were put off by a day because of the weather. it was supposed to happen on the 5th ofjune but the weather was against them so they put it off until the night time injune the 6th

which is when all of the troops from allied forces of the uk, the united states, canada and france landed on the beaches of normandy despite those challenging weather conditions and the fierce defences of the germans. some had drowned when they we re germans. some had drowned when they were accidentally dropped off too soon were accidentally dropped off too soonin were accidentally dropped off too soon in deep waters. the combined allied forces suffered fatalities of 4400 people. the total german casualties on the day are not fully known but are estimated to be between 4000 and 9000. let's take a look back at some of the poignant parts of today's commemorations.

applause choir sings

my my most abiding memory of that day is of seeing our boys, and we'd been talking to them minutes before, when they were put down into machine gun fire. it was pretty bad at that time. they'd fall into the water, floating face down and we couldn't get them out, we could not help them. and that is my most abiding memory, and i can't forget it.

today at 5: 75 years on, tributes to the fallen heroes of d—day. last post plays. hundreds of veterans gather in normandy for a day of commerative events, honouring those who helped liberate europe and change the course of world war ii. the prime minister gives her thanks to the veterans, and tells them june 6th1944 was a day when they helped build a better world. these young men belonged to a very special generation, the greatest generation. a new memorial is unveiled to those who made the ultimate sacrifice — paid for with money raised by veterans.