Commemoration of D-Day Landings in Normandy Marks 80th Anniversary in Sydney

Today in Sydney, a special ceremony and public talk are taking place at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park to honour the Australian veterans who participated in the D-Day landings in Normandy, marking the 80th anniversary of the historic event that unfolded on 6 June 1944.

The D-Day landings and the subsequent battle of Normandy were pivotal in the liberation of France and western Europe during the Second World War, laying the groundwork for the eventual Allied victory on the Western Front.

Australia made significant contributions to the Allied forces involved in D-Day, with around 3,200 Australians taking part in the landings on 6 June, and thousands more serving during the broader Normandy campaign.

The Australian involvement primarily focused on the air operations, as approximately 1,000 Australians flew with Royal Australian Air Force squadrons, while another 1,800 worked alongside the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force. Furthermore, over 500 members of the Royal Australian Navy served on attachment with the Royal Navy, and a small contingent of Australian soldiers operated on the ground with the British Army.

However, these contributions came at a cost, with 13 Australians losing their lives on 6 June and hundreds more perishing during the course of the Normandy campaign, particularly while providing air support for the ground forces. June 1944 marked the deadliest month in the history of the Royal Australian Air Force in terms of casualties.

Minister for Veterans, David Harris, emphasized the importance of commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, highlighting the crucial role played by Australian veterans in securing victory in the campaign and shaping the outcome of the Second World War’s Western Front. He expressed gratitude to the Air Force Association of NSW and the Anzac Memorial for organizing the events to pay tribute to the service of the veterans involved in the momentous campaign eight decades ago.