Ahmet Gürhan Kartal
05 June 2019•Update: 06 June 2019
LONDON
The 75th anniversary of the start of a big offensive to save Europe from Nazi Germany occupation and to end World War II was commemorated in Portsmouth, England on Wednesday.
Queen Elizabeth II and outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May hosted the leaders from various countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump who has been in the U.K. on a state visit, French President Emanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were among the heads of governments who joined the services held.
“The heroism, courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives will never be forgotten,” the queen said in a speech.
Trump read war-time U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt's 'Mighty Endeavor' -- a message for Americans which was broadcast on the night of D-Day in 1944 on radio.
May read a letter from Capt. Norman Skinner written to his wife Gladys days before the great landing on French beaches. The letter, which was never sent, was found in his pocket when he was killed shortly after landing on Sword Beach.
Prince Charles, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte were among other dignitaries and leaders who attended the ceremony.
The ceremony saw old and new war planes flying over Portsmouth, a main embarkment station on the D-Day.
Some 160,000 Allied troops mostly from the U.S., U.K. and Canada landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944 -- the start of the end phase of one of the bloodiest wars in human history.
May met Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki and Macron, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Trudeau.
“The main theme of the talks today is about shared security,” according to a statement from Downing Street.
The 75th D-Day anniversary will continue to be commemorated in ceremonies to be held on Thursday in France.
