'Thank You' - Queen Elizabeth and world leaders applaud D-Day veterans

By Dylan Martinez and Steve Holland

 

(Front row, L-R) French President, Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister, Theresa May, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, U.S. President Donald Trump, First Lady of U.S. Melania Trump, President of Greece, Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel attend the D-day 75 Commemorations event in Portsmouth, Britain, June 5, 2019. Chris Jackson/Pool via Reuters

 

PORTSMOUTH, England (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth was joined by world leaders including Donald Trump and Angela Merkel to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, paying personal tribute to the veterans of the largest seaborne invasion in history which helped bring World War Two to an end.

 

The queen, Prince Charles, presidents and prime ministers rose to applaud veterans, their coats heavy with medals, as they stood on a giant stage beside a guard of honour after a film of the Normandy landings was shown.

 

"The wartime generation - my generation - is resilient, and I am delighted to be with you in Portsmouth today," the 93-year-old queen, wearing bright pink, said.

 

"The heroism, courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives will never be forgotten. It is with humility and pleasure, on behalf of the entire country – indeed the whole free world – that I say to you all: thank you."

 

Prime Minister Theresa May was joined for the commemorative events in Portsmouth by U.S. President Trump, who is on the final day of a state visit to Britain, and his wife, Melania.

 

Trump read a prayer given by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944: "The enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph."

 

French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, German Chancellor Merkel, and leaders and senior figures from 10 other countries also attended.

 

BLOOD AND THUNDER

In the early hours of June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 allied troops set off from Portsmouth and the surrounding area to begin the air, sea and land attack on Normandy that ultimately led to the liberation of western Europe from the Nazi regime.

 

By the time of the Normandy landings, Soviet forces had been fighting Germany in the east for almost three years and Kremlin chief Josef Stalin had urged British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to open a second front as far back as August 1942.

 

The invasion, codenamed Operation Overlord and commanded by U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, remains the largest amphibious assault in history and involved almost 7,000 ships and landing craft along a 50-mile (80-km) stretch of the French coast.

 

Shortly after midnight, thousands of paratroopers were dropped. Then came the naval bombardment of German positions overlooking the shore. Then the infantry arrived on the beaches.

 

Mostly American, British and Canadian men, some just boys, waded ashore as German soldiers tried to kill them with machine guns and artillery. Survivors say the sea was red with blood and the air boiling with the thunder of explosions.

 

Thousands were killed on both sides. Line upon line of white crosses honour the dead in cemeteries across northern France. Even the codenames of the sectors of the invasion - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword - can draw tears from veterans.

 

"I was terrified. I think everyone was," said John Jenkins, 99, a veteran who landed at Gold Beach. "You never forget your comrades because we were all in it together."

 

The commemorations featured an hour-long performance recounting the wartime events and a flypast by historic, military aircraft. Afterwards, world leaders met veterans of the landings.

 

The queen, President Trump, Melania and Prince Charles shook hands with half a dozen veterans were waiting for them, exchanging a few words and asking them about their stories from D-Day.

 

Sixteen countries attended the commemorations: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

 

They agreed a proclamation to "ensure that the unimaginable horror of these years is never repeated".

 

Merkel said Germany’s liberation from National Socialism brought about something "of which we can be proud."

 

"Reconciliation, and unity within Europe, but also the entire post-war order, which brought us peace, for more than seven decades so far," she said. "That I can be here as German Chancellor, that together we can stand for peace and freedom – that is a gift from history that we must cherish and preserve."

 

On Wednesday evening, some 300 veterans who took part on D-Day, all now older than 90, will leave Portsmouth on a specially commissioned ship, MV Boudicca, and retrace their 1944 journey across the English Channel, accompanied by Royal Navy vessels and a lone wartime Spitfire fighter plane.

 

(Writing by Michael Holden and Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Frances Kerry and Toby Chopra)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-06-06

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And the queen dear lady is part of that generation thank you dear lady and thankyou Britannia for holding out and providing the land and people to defeat the fascists

10 minutes ago, Tug said:

And the queen dear lady is part of that generation thank you dear lady and thankyou Britannia for holding out and providing the land and people to defeat the fascists

Yes indeed- the world owes Great Britain (and her Commonwealth) a debt of gratitude for standing firm during their "darkest hour" and equally so to the "New World-with all it's power and might" stepping forth to the rescue of the Old World.

 

5 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

Yes indeed- the world owes Great Britain (and her Commonwealth) a debt of gratitude for standing firm during their "darkest hour" and equally so to the "New World-with all it's power and might" stepping forth to the rescue of the Old World.

 

Churchill's speech, We shall fight them on the beaches actually originated from 1940 Dunkirk I am sure it was one of the many quotes read out yesterday.

 

A great statesman and orator also said:

"If at first all the States of Europe are not willing or able to join the Union, we must nevertheless proceed to assemble and combine those who will and those who can."

September 19, 1946, University of Zurich

 

He must be turning in his grave as he sees Britain so disunited and his beloved Tory Party goes into meltdown.  

11 minutes ago, Basil B said:

Churchill's speech, We shall fight them on the beaches actually originated from 1940 Dunkirk I am sure it was one of the many quotes read out yesterday.

 

A great statesman and orator also said:

"If at first all the States of Europe are not willing or able to join the Union, we must nevertheless proceed to assemble and combine those who will and those who can."

September 19, 1946, University of Zurich

 

He must be turning in his grave as he sees Britain so disunited and his beloved Tory Party goes into meltdown.  

Yes-i am fully aware just as to when Churchill made his famous speech..

 

But their defiant stand is,of course, the necessary precursor to the famous invasion.

 

Without the first there would not have been the second act.

 

Have you read Alistair Horne's well known book;

'To Lose a Battle-France 1940'?

Edited June 6, 20197 yr by Odysseus123

5 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

Yes-i am fully aware just as to when Churchill made his famous speech..

I was not intending to "pull you up", I was referring to the point that I was sure it was one of the readings read out yesterday, even though first quoted in 1940 (BEF & Dunkirk) it was very appropriate for D-Day.  

I see Old Charlie still has all these medals.

Sadly UK doesn't always look after their elderly veterans as seen in this example released today. A cynic could be forgiven for thinking the timing was deliberate.

5 hours ago, possum1931 said:

I see Old Charlie still has all these medals.

I have one also.

 

Long Service and Good Conduct after 18 years service.

 

Several of Prince Charles medals come with the position as King in waiting.

 

Many of his titles are honorary and unpaid.

 

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_titles_and_honours_of_Charles,_Prince_of_Wales

9 hours ago, Basil B said:

Churchill's speech, We shall fight them on the beaches actually originated from 1940 Dunkirk I am sure it was one of the many quotes read out yesterday.

 

A great statesman and orator also said:

"If at first all the States of Europe are not willing or able to join the Union, we must nevertheless proceed to assemble and combine those who will and those who can."

September 19, 1946, University of Zurich

 

He must be turning in his grave as he sees Britain so disunited and his beloved Tory Party goes into meltdown.  

But to complete those words:

"The salvation of the common people of every race and of every land from war or servitude must be established on solid foundations and must be guarded by the readiness of all men and women to die rather than submit to tyranny. In all this urgent work, France and Germany must take the lead together. Great Britain, the British Commonwealth of Nations, mighty America, and I trust Soviet Russia—for then indeed all would be well—must be the friends and sponsors of the new Europe and must champion its right to live and shine.” 

 

On 11th May, 1953, he also said:

“We have our own dream and our own task. We are with Europe, but not of it. We are linked but not combined. We are interested and associated but not absorbed. If Britain must choose between Europe and the open sea, she must always choose the open sea.”

--

So Winston might be turning in his grave for different reasons.

RIP.

 

2 hours ago, billd766 said:

I have one also.

 

Long Service and Good Conduct after 18 years service.

 

Several of Prince Charles medals come with the position as King in waiting.

 

Many of his titles are honorary and unpaid.

 

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_titles_and_honours_of_Charles,_Prince_of_Wales

You earned any medals you have Bill, Prince Charles was born into them.

Let us, born post 1945, of British race or European, who have never had to risk our lives in fighting a war, remember those who lost everything whilst still in their youth, defending our land from tyranny.

 

 

18 minutes ago, usviphotography said:

The UK was never threatened in WWII. Germany offered them unconditional peace

Hitler liked the Brits and we probably didn't have to go to war, but let's not get all silly; the bloke invaded, pretty threatening if you ask me.

Troll post reported and removed.  

 

12 hours ago, possum1931 said:

You earned any medals you have Bill, Prince Charles was born into them.

None of the Royal Family, like everybody else in the world choose their parents.

 

He was also in the RN like his father and brother Andrew saw active service in the Falklands war. Prince Edward tried the toughest course as a Marine officer but unfortunately failed to make the grade.

 

Prince William was a helicopter pilot doing ASR work. Prince Harry was an Army aviator in Afghanistan until the "freedom" of the press bubbled him out the first time, but he did go out a second time.

 

I believe that the Royal family ALL deserve medals partly because they have very restricted private lives due to the MSM who keep prattling on about "the people's right to know"' which is bullshit.

 

None of the MSM would stand for being followed everywhere by camera people and "news hounds" 24/7/365.

 

If they can't find a story then they quote an unnamed source at the Royal Household said

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx and make the story up.

 

Being a member of the Royal Family is certainly not a career choice for me.

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

None of the Royal Family, like everybody else in the world choose their parents.

 

He was also in the RN like his father and brother Andrew saw active service in the Falklands war. Prince Edward tried the toughest course as a Marine officer but unfortunately failed to make the grade.

 

Prince William was a helicopter pilot doing ASR work. Prince Harry was an Army aviator in Afghanistan until the "freedom" of the press bubbled him out the first time, but he did go out a second time.

 

I believe that the Royal family ALL deserve medals partly because they have very restricted private lives due to the MSM who keep prattling on about "the people's right to know"' which is bullshit.

 

None of the MSM would stand for being followed everywhere by camera people and "news hounds" 24/7/365.

 

If they can't find a story then they quote an unnamed source at the Royal Household said

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx and make the story up.

 

Being a member of the Royal Family is certainly not a career choice for me.

We do agree on almost everything, but have to disagree on this, I have no time for the British Royal Family, sorry Bill.

 

On ‎6‎/‎6‎/‎2019 at 10:12 AM, webfact said:

Prime Minister Theresa May was joined for the commemorative events in Portsmouth by U.S. President Trump, 

I wonder if May and other British government politicians realise the Irony of thanking the veterans of what would be the greatest British military ever, when they and all their post BAOR ilk have reduced it to virtual impotence?

6 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

We do agree on almost everything, but have to disagree on this, I have no time for the British Royal Family, sorry Bill.

 

I do thank the deity that our head of state is her and not some horrid president that we had to spend money on to elect. We have to pay enough for all the rest of the time wasters as it is. Don't need another.

8 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

We do agree on almost everything, but have to disagree on this, I have no time for the British Royal Family, sorry Bill.

 

Your choice.

 

Mine is different.

3 hours ago, nauseus said:

What a lot of rot. Google Operation Sealion and work from there. Forward or backwards.

I do believe that but for Churchill, Britain would have been occupied/ surrendered/ whatever. The German military was the best in the world, and only lost because Hitler was insane and decided to invade Russia before conquering Britain. Without Britain, the US would never have been able to invade Europe.

Beyond the troops, Britain and our world was lucky to have Churchill, R J Mitchell, Tommy Flowers and Alan Turing to help win the war for us.

On 6/6/2019 at 5:12 AM, webfact said:

Trump read a prayer given by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944: "The enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph

 

“...and their sons too, ‘cause there’s some very fine people on both sides,” he added.

Troll post and reply removed

On 6/6/2019 at 8:00 AM, possum1931 said:

I see Old Charlie still has all these medals.

Try again and not a troll post a fact ,Has He got a medal for being deceitful to his last wife,  

17 minutes ago, Thongkorn said:

Try again and not a troll post a fact ,Has He got a medal for being deceitful to his last wife,  

No, medals are not awarded for that 

8 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I do believe that but for Churchill, Britain would have been occupied/ surrendered/ whatever. The German military was the best in the world, and only lost because Hitler was insane and decided to invade Russia before conquering Britain. Without Britain, the US would never have been able to invade Europe.

Beyond the troops, Britain and our world was lucky to have Churchill, R J Mitchell, Tommy Flowers and Alan Turing to help win the war for us.

This betrays a fundamental misconception of World War II. Hitler had on interest whatsoever in the West, and in fact France and England declaring war against him was highly inconvenient to his plans. The idea that Germany should have invaded Great Britain instead of Russia during WWII is like saying the US should have invaded Guatemala instead of Japan. There was nothing Germany wanted in the UK. This invasion that you envision would have tied up the bulk of the German Army on a side adventure on the opposite side of the continent from where their actual enemy was located. Most importantly, it would have taken time which the Germans simply didn't have. In retrospect, they were a few years too late in attacking the Soviets as it was. To give the Soviets another year to build on their already considerable advantage in tanks would have been sheer madness. 

 

Without Churchill, the UK surely would have made peace. They would not have been occupied because the peace Hitler offered Churchill was unconditional. And since the German Armistice with France called for a full with withdrawal of German forces once UK made peace France would have been fully unoccupied by this peace as well. UK would have saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of men and instead of wreaking their economy, they would have thrived during the war years. And Germany still would have lost the war! 

"peace Hitler offered Churchill was unconditionall"

 

So you would take the word of Hitler? plenty found out to their cost it meant nothing to him

On ‎6‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 3:35 AM, usviphotography said:

Without Churchill, the UK surely would have made peace. They would not have been occupied because the peace Hitler offered Churchill was unconditional.

and you apparently believe that. Tell that to Stalin who apparently believed the pact with Germany was real.

 

Perhaps you can tell me which military authority thinks it is acceptable to fight a war on two fronts at the same time?

 

You are of course entitled to your opinion, but I am profoundly thankful that Churchill fought on.

 

On ‎6‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 3:35 AM, usviphotography said:

And Germany still would have lost the war! 

Seriously?

Russia won the war, despite American movie makers propaganda, and had Britain surrendered there would have been no convoys to Russia, and the full might of the German war machine- the best in the world- against Stalin's armies which were demoralised by years of officer purges.

Even so, the best weapon the allies had against Germany was Hitler, who was probably insane. Even at the end, the Battle of the Bulge could have triumphed, which says much about the quality of the German military.

On ‎6‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 7:31 AM, bartender100 said:

"peace Hitler offered Churchill was unconditionall"

 

So you would take the word of Hitler? plenty found out to their cost it meant nothing to him

I have a piece of paper!

Chamberlain believed Hitler, and millions may have died because of it. Had Britain gone to war then, they might have succeeded, as apparently the German military was not ready.

On 6/6/2019 at 6:42 AM, Odysseus123 said:

Yes indeed- the world owes Great Britain (and her Commonwealth) a debt of gratitude for standing firm during their "darkest hour" and equally so to the "New World-with all it's power and might" stepping forth to the rescue of the Old World.

 

Probably owe  bigger thanks to the Ruskies where the real show was  going on.

On 6/6/2019 at 8:38 PM, daveAustin said:

Hitler liked the Brits and we probably didn't have to go to war, but let's not get all silly; the bloke invaded, pretty threatening if you ask me.

Hitler had plans To invade Britain,