D-Day 80

1944 was a hugely significant year during the Second World War and the Normandy landings always leap to peoples minds.

The D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Along with the associated airborne operations, it marked the beginning of the liberation of France and western Europe.

However D-Day was not the only major event that year.

The escape from Stalag Luft 3 which became known as the great escape was in 1944 along with the battle for Arnhem, Operation Market Garden.

The campaign in Italy was hugely over shadowed by the D-Day landings with those serving in Italy even becoming known as "D-Day Dodgers". This downplayed the huge number of casualties sustained there, with over 54,000 allied casualties at Monte Cassino alone.

Thank You

To say thank you to all those involved in the many actions that year and throughout the Second World War the branch is hosting an afternoon tea for any veteran of World War 2.

We are asking for anyone who served in the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, the Merchant Navy as well as those who fought their war on the home front to join us for afternoon tea and some light entertainment at Rockcliff Rugby Club in Whitley Bay on Sunday the 9th of June 2024 between 2 and 4pm.

Please contact us via the website, our facebook page or on our Poppy hotline - 07729 777270 to reserve you or your relative's place.

For more information about the Royal British Legion's activities to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day please visit the nation website at D-Day 80