Veterans honoured at D-Day commemorations

President Emmanuel Macron speaks at a ceremony in Colleville-Montgomery, paying tribute to the Free French Forces, the 177 French soldiers who landed in Normandy.

Addressing veterans, Mr Macron says this time 75 years ago, "the destiny of France, Europe and the world was at stake".

The French president says the beaches today look peaceful and tranquil, compared to 75 years ago, when it "was red with the blood of men".

He says the 6 June saw "the dawn of the liberation, the sunset of Nazism, and the first glows of a new dawn".

"We stand before you with gratitude that words cannot express. We will protect the colours of your heroic youth and the teachings of your virtues."

He adds: "Let us continue to embrace the spirit of freedom and courage."

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French President Emmanuel Macron is inspecting the troops in Colleville-sur-Mer, where ceremonies have been taking place to commemorate US involvement in the D-Day landings.

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Some veterans and locals join in as Vera Lynn's hit The White Cliffs of Dover is performed to crowds on the Normandy coast.

It follows a performance of The Dambusters March by the RAF's official band.

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The sound of pipes has been filling the air on this part of the Normandy coast - 75 years after British soldier Bill Millin played them to encourage others off the beach and away from danger.

Pipers were officially banned from the front line in World War Two because of the number of casualties in World War One.

But Brigadier Simon Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat, commander of 1 Special Service Brigade, defied the order and brought Private Millin, his personal piper, with him on D-Day.

Veterans are now laying wreaths in honour of their fallen comrades. One of the wreaths has been laid on behalf of the people of Arromanches by the town's mayor.

A short while ago, a minute's silence was observed.

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Veteran Bill Glen has shared his harrowing story of what happened to him in Normandy after D-Day with BBC Scotland.

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Military experts and historians heave previously discussed what it might have meant for Europe....

• Sonke Neitzel, Professor of International History: "Had D-Day failed, it would have given a major boost to morale in Germany. The German people expected this to be the decisive battle, and if they could have beaten the Allies they might be able to win the war."
• Gen. Sir Richard Dannatt: "The Russians would probably have continued their advance towards Western Europe, but at a slower pace due to more German reserves being available to be deployed against them."
• Prof. Gary Sheffield, military historian: "There's also a small possibility that the Americas would have decided to go on the defensive in Europe and concentrate on defeating the Japanese instead."

Find out more on our iWonder series.

"On behalf of my nation, I just want to say thank you."

French President Emmanuel Macron tweets footage from his earlier speech thanking D-Day fighters.

"We know what we owe to you, veterans," he said. "Our freedom."

Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to veterans after attending the service of remembrance.

Among them was Len Williams, 92, who was an 18-year-old private with The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on D-Day and arrived on Gold Beach a few days after June 6.

Asked about meeting Mrs May, he said: "It couldn't have been more perfect. "She said to me, 'you did well'."

John McOwan, 98, from Peebles in the Scottish borders, was a sergeant with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers on D-Day. He landed on Sword Beach four days after June 6.

He said: "The Prime Minister said she was very pleased to meet me. I said that I admire her very much and she smiled.

"This whole trip has been mind-boggling. I shook hands with President Macron in Portsmouth, as well as Sheridan Smith.

"The service was very emotional. The tears were running down my face because it was so touching."

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In 2018, a video showed D-Day veteran Ray Shuck being helped to his feet to salute his fallen comrades on Armistice Day.

Ray died in January, and his granddaughters told BBC Radio 5 Live about his heroic experiences during World War 2, including being one of the first to land in Normandy on 6 June 1944.

The prime minister tweets:

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The ceremony is under way in Arromanches where British veterans have been arriving from the MV Boudicca.

Lord Dannatt, the former head of the British Army, thanked veterans, saying: "We shudder to think, had we failed, what Europe would look like today".

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Charles Summerville, aged 94, from Glasgow, is one of the veterans on the Normandy coast this afternoon.

Speaking ahead of the parade in Arromanches, he said: "We come here just to have a good time, not to remember the bad times - but to be glad to be alive and meet all the lovely people here who make a fuss and make us happy to be here.

"People just come up and shake my hand and say "merci".

Former PM David Cameron has tweeted his "profound and humble thanks to the greatest generation".

Robert Williams was an 18-year-old Royal Marine on D-Day who landed on Sword Beach, and served throughout France and into Germany.

"I didn't get a scratch," the 94-year-old said.

When Mrs May came over to thank him at the Bayeux cemetery event, "I took her by the arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She said 'Oh, thank you'."

"I kissed her - why not? It is not everyone that can do that."

Another veteran, Robert Yaxley, also gave the UK prime minister a kiss on the cheek.

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Crowds of veterans and local residents are gathering on the Normandy coast for further commemorations.

Veterans on the MV Boudicca are expected to arrive in Arromanches shortly, when they will join others for a parade in the town square.

They will be welcomed by a flypast by the RAF's Red Arrows before a parachute display by the Red Devils.

The Central Band of the Royal Air Force, the Band of the RAF Regiment and the Pipes and Drums of 19 Regiment Royal Artillery will provide support during the celebration events.

Canada's PM Justin Trudeau has released a statement about the D-Day commemorations, saying those who landed on the beaches "served under different flags, but fought for one cause".

"For the thousands of Canadians who landed on Juno Beach 75 years ago, it was a day that they could never forget. Neither can we. The living memory of the Second World War will soon pass. We share a sacred responsibility to keep veterans’ stories alive, to recognize the cost of war, and honour their immeasurable sacrifices."

You can read the full statement here.

Netherlands defence minister Ank Bijleveld has travelled to Normandy to honour Dutch forces who landed at Arromanches in August 1944.

She laid a wreath, and posted pictures on Twitter of veterans of the Dutch Princess Irene Brigade.

These soldiers fought under British and Canadian command in the Battle of Normandy.