By
Rebecca Gibson |
Hundreds of cruise passengers joined World War Two veterans, politicians and other visitors to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy from 4-6 June.
Commemorated annually, the Normandy Landings took place in France on 6 June 1944 when around 156,000 troops – mainly from Britain, the US and Canada – landed on Normandy’s beaches shortly after midnight to attaché German troops. Between 2,500 and 4,000 Allied troops and 9,000 Germans are estimated to have lost their lives during the assault.
This year, various firework displays, parades, parachute drops, military camps and re-enactments, open air concerts, and remembrance services were held at key sites across Normandy.
Several cruise ships called at the French port of Le Havre on 6 June as part of special anniversary cruises including Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse. Swan Hellenic’s Minerva also arrived in the port as part of a ‘D-Day 70th anniversary Reflections of France’ cruise, while Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s Braemar visited during her ‘D-Day anniversary’ itinerary. In addition, Sea Cloud Cruises’ Sea Cloud II brought 90 passengers to the port on a turnaround cruise on 30 May and sailed to Cherbourg to visit the ‘Landing beaches’. The ship returned to Le Havre for another turnaround on 7 June.
To commemorate the anniversary, several military vehicles were parked on the piers at Le Havre Cruise Terminal, while a jazz band played music from the mid-40’s.