On this day, 74 years ago, the largest seaborne invasion in history was launched from the shores of the Solent and all along the south coast of England, Their objective was the beaches of Normandy. Nearly 5,000 landing and assault craft, 289 escort vessels, and 277 minesweepers participated. Nearly 160,000 troops from the armies of the USA, Great Britain and the Commonwealth crossed the English Channel on D-Day.
Today, we had lunch on the beach beside the Solent, the very beach where the Mulberry harbours were constructed and where the invasion ships sailed from. There is little left to remind one of this epic undertaking. The sun shone, the sea was quiet and peaceful with a handful of pleasurecraft on the water. How different to that momentous day 74 years ago.
Lest we forget
Mike
