On 5 and 6 June, a series of major commemorations in the UK and France honoured the brave personnel who risked their lives for freedom and peace.
Universal Defence and Security Solutions Director and Royal Naval Association National President Vice Admiral (Retd) Duncan Potts CB attended a series of events to commemorate the heroes of the Battle of Normandy.
Reading the lesson at the Sunday Service at the Royal Naval Conference at Cardiff Bay.
“It was a great privilege as National President of the Royal Naval Association to represent Royal Navy veterans at both the British Memorial Garden in Caen on 5 June and at the national ceremony at Ver-Sur-Mer on the 6th of June. D-Day is rightly remembered for the assault on the beaches and securing the beachheads. The operation was a one-shot opportunity to open a western front. We have grown up knowing of its success, but that was far from certain on the morning of 6 June 1944.
Laying wreaths at the Merchant Navy Memorial at Cardiff Bay.
For me it was particularly important to remember the sailors from both the Royal and Merchant Navies that took part. Whilst the UK landed 54,000 soldiers on D-day, it was supported and made possible by 195,000 sailors off the beaches. With the US Navy heavily engaged in the Pacific, the Royal Navy made up 80% of all allied naval forces. For the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force it was very much the culmination of 3+ years of operations to ensure sea and air control, without which D-day would not have been possible. It was moving and humbling to be there to remember the effort, determination, and sacrifice.”
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Learn more about the work of the Royal Naval Association via: https://royal-naval-association.co.uk/
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