‘When I go back I cry... I saw bodies brought off that beach’
D-DAY warriors have recalled the bravery and the horror of the historic landings as they mark the invasion’s 80th anniversary.
Some 156,000 troops took part as the Allies stormed Normandy beaches on June 6, 1944.
The names of the 22,442 servicemen and women from 38 countries who lost their lives in D-Day and the subsequent Battle of Normandy are inscribed on 160 limestone columns at the British Normandy Memorial overlooking Gold Beach at Ver-sur-Mer.
Some of the few remaining lionhearts will muster there next month to pay tribute to and give thanks for comrades who served, but did not live to tell the tale.
Pivotal
Second World War heroes will lead Royal British Legion commemorations at Bayeux War Cemetery, final resting place of 4,144 Commonwealth soldiers – 338 unidentified, the British Normandy Memorial and at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffs.
The poignant ceremonies across the Channel are likely to be the last time those who played a pivotal role in the liberation of France and Western Europe from Nazi tyranny will gather at the spot.
Despite the eight decades that have passed Jack Mortimer, 100, from Leeds, still vividly recalls Operation Overlord when, aged 20, he dragged himself up Sword Beach as shells rained down.
Along with Roy Harrison, Ron Hendrey and Donald Jones, he will represent the RBL at the globally-televised event.
Jack said: “There were thousands and thousands of ships on either side of us, loads of vehicles, tanks and artillery.
“I volunteered for the
12th Ordnance Beach detachment because they wanted a driver and dispatch rider.
“It was dangerous, – there were snipers all 20 daring trips..
Donald Jones around. It was noisy, smoky and smelly, and I saw lots of casualties. “When I go back there now, I cry. I saw bodies being brought off that beach.” Stan Hollis, 31, company sergeant major with D Company 6th Battalion Green Howards, was one of the first to land on Gold Beach and won the only Victoria Cross of D-Day. The youngest soldier killed was just 16 while the oldest was 64. Roy, of Amersham, Bucks, joined the Navy in July 1942, taking supplies to the Soviet Union on light cruiser HMS Diadem. On June 6, 1944 at 5.50am his ship’s guns fired on the German defenders’ Moulineaux battery to clear a path for the landing force. Roy, 98, said: “There was constant firing and pandemonium. I could see all the smaller boats going out and trying to get to shore and we just tried to keep as much enemy fire away from them as possible. I couldn’t tell you how long we were there, but we did our bit.”
Able Seaman Ron, now 98, from Clacton, Essex was serving on board destroyer HMS Ulster.
Gunner
He said: “I remember seeing my first body, a US airman floating fully-clothed, and he looked so damned smart.”
Donald, 99, of North Wales, was a Navy gunner on a landing craft tank which hit Sword Beach at 8am on D-Day. He made 20 such trips over six weeks.VictorWalker, from Essex, will be at the arboretum service. He was 17 when he joined up in 1943, serving on HMS Versatile on Arctic convoys. The destroyer escorted D-Day vessels over the Channel.
His ship later ferried across Admiral William Tennant, in charge of building two Mulberry floating harbours to speed up the arrival of supplies. Victor, 98, said: “There was a fuel line from England to the Mulberry harbours and we used to patrol to protect that.” ●●THE Daily Express is commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day with unrivalled coverage. We want to hear from those who served on June 6, 1944, and during the Battle of Normandy, and from relatives who will be remembering lost loved ones. Please mail giles.sheldrick@reachplc.com