D-Day – latest: Veteran warns ‘UK on a knife edge’ as Biden says world ‘won’t surrender’ at 80th anniversary
Charles and Camilla are among those paying tribute to fallen soldiers alongside prime minister Rishi Sunak, French president Emmanuel Macron and US president Joe Biden
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The state of Britain’s military is leaving the UK “on a knife edge” facing the growing prospect of war, a D-Day veteran has warned on the 80th anniversary of the landings marking the start of Europe’s liberation from the Nazis.
King Charles, Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak were among those in attendance in Ver-sur-Mer, France, to pay tribute on Thursday to the sacrifice of those fallen soldiers 80 years ago.
The US president promised the 50 countries standing with Ukraine “will not walk away” or “surrender to the bullies”, as he addressed the crowds, adding: “Make no mistake the autocrats of the world are watching closely to see what happens in Ukraine ... To surrender to bullies, to bow down to dictators is simply unthinkable.”
He added: “History tells us freedom is not free. You want to know the price of freedom come here to Normandy to look.”
And Les Budding, a former Royal Marine who served on a landing craft charged with providing covering fire for the first wave of troops who stormed Sword Beach, warne: “For many, this is the most dangerous time we have lived through ... I am worried about the future.”
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Biden says NATO ‘will not walk away’ or ‘bow down to bullies'
The United States and NATO will not walk away from the crisis in Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden said in a D-Day speech in Normandy, France, on Thursday.
Biden said Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, was invaded by a “tyrant intent on domination” and that democracy was now more at risk than at any point since World War Two.
“Make no mistake, we will not bow down, we cannot surrender to the bullies, it is simply unthinkable. If we do, freedom will be subjugated, all Europe will be threatened “ he said in Colleville-sur-Mer.
Biden has paid tribute to D-Day ‘hero’ veterans as he addressed attendees at a commemorative event in Normandy.
He said: “On behalf of the the American people, it’s the highest honour to salute you in Normandy once more. God love you.”
He went on to quotes former British prime minister Winston Churchill, saying: “He called what happened here ‘the greatest most complicated operation ever’ - after years of planning, Operation Overlord was ready to launch just as the weather turned.”
“Men, guns, planes, naval craft waited. Finally, President Dwight D Eisenhower’s forecasts said there was a window in the weather that opened on 6 June and he gave the order that at dawn, the allies would strike”.
US President Joe Biden began his D-Day speech in Normandy: “The hour had nearly come. Monday, June 5, 1944. The evil third Reich had devastated the world. Nazi Germany had subjugated the once free nations of Europe through brute force, lies and twisted ideology.
“Millions of Jews were in the holocaust. Millions of others were killed by bombs, bullets and bloody warfare. Hitler and those with him thought democracies were weak and the future belonged to dictators.”
Joe Biden addressing veterans at D-Day event
US President Joe Biden is currently addressing veterans and world leaders at a D-Day event in Normandy France.
Pictured: The latest images from the 80th anniversary events
'We just have to remember the sacrifices of everybody who gave us our freedom’
A Briton now living in Florida whose grandfather served with the British Army during World War II and was captured in Malta said she was “humbled” to be at the events in Normandy.
Becky Kraubetz said: “It’s so historic and we just have to remember the sacrifices of everybody who gave us our freedom.
“It gives you goosebumps, everything that happened here. Imagine just jumping into the water, freezing cold,” the 54-year-old said as she gazed across the English Channel, tears in her eyes.
“The bravery, the courage, for people to face that is just unbelievable — very, very humbled to be here.”
President Zelensky arrives in Normandy
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has joined other world leaders after landing in Normandy this morning.
In a tweet, he said: “We will also be honored to participate in a special event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy.
“This event and day serve as a reminder of the courage and determination demonstrated in the pursuit of freedom and democracy. Allies defended Europe’s freedom then, and Ukrainians do so now. Unity prevailed then, and true unity can prevail today.”
Prince William chats to veterans after playing of the Last Post
After the Canadian ceremony on Juno Beach, which included the playing of the Last Post and the observance of a minute’s silence, alongside performances from Canadian musicians, William and the politicians briefly chatted to some of the veterans.
The prince asked one old servicemen “memories bringing it all back?” and with the area now a picturesque stretch of sand with beach homes beyond the dunes, he added “there’s been a lot of changes.”
William moved on to talk to another Canadian veteran, and when the conversation turned toward the ages of the men who fought on D-Day the future king said “a lot of people were lying about their ages”.
Macron pledges that ‘France will never forget’ those who fought to liberate his country
French president Emmanuel Macron told D-Day veterans on that his country will “never forget” the battle to liberate Europe from the Nazis.
He thanked the King and Queen for their attendance and then paid tribute to Christian Lamb, an officer in the Women’s Royal Naval Service who helped plan the D-Day landings in 1944.
Macron presented her with a Legion d’Honneur award to the 103-year-old and described her as “a hero in the shadows”.
“You have set us an example, which we’ll not forget. France will never forget the British troops who landed on D-Day and all their brothers in arms,” he said.
“We are honoured by the ties of remembrance, friendship and loyalty which were forged between our two countries.”
Pictured: US president Biden meets with veterans
US president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pictured speaking with a US veterans at a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II "D-Day" landings in Normandy.
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