![UK D-Day vets sail for Normandy for landings anniversary](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/1b/39/2c/UK-D-Day-vets-sail-for-Normandy-for-295050.jpg)
-
Raducanu rediscovers Wimbledon 'fun' factor after turbulent spell
-
Winning all that matters at Euro 2024 for Mbappe's minimalist France
-
Eight dead, two million affected by Bangladesh floods
-
Robertson pleased to 'find a way' past England in tough Test baptism
-
Martin sets lap record to secure German MotoGP pole
-
'Shattered' Germany set sights on World Cup after Euros exit
-
Olympic hope Pedersen pulls out of Tour de France
-
Djokovic eyes sweet 16 at Wimbledon as Swiatek takes on 'gangster'
-
End beckons again for Ronaldo after Portugal Euros KO
-
New Zealand edge England 16-15 in tense, brutal first Test
-
Turkey take on Dutch in politically charged Euros quarter-final, England face Swiss
-
Calling for better ties with West, Iran reformist wins presidency
-
Cybercrime groups restructuring after major takedowns: experts
-
Activists hail Sierra Leone child marriage ban, urge action on FGM
-
Marsch relishing Canada's semi clash with Argentina
-
Canada stun Venezuela on penalties to reach Copa semis
-
Iran reformist Pezeshkian holds early lead in runoff vote
-
Swiatek faces 'gangster' threat, Djokovic feels need for Wimbledon speed
-
France holds its breath ahead of uncertain vote
-
Starmer begins UK 'rebuild' after landslide election win
-
Paris's Moulin Rouge inaugurates new windmill sails ahead of Olympics
-
Pan, Rai share halfway lead in PGA John Deere Classic
-
'I was feeling terrible' in debate, Biden says in TV interview
-
France coach Deschamps savours ending penalty hoodoo, defends Mbappe
-
Thompson bids farewell to Warriors after exit
-
Portugal exit Euros with pride, will return stronger: Martinez
-
UK's new PM Starmer speaks to world leaders, names top team
-
Spain and France to face off in Euros last four, Turkey lament 'unfair' Demiral ban
-
Israel says negotiators to hold fresh Gaza truce talks next week
-
France beat Portugal on penalties to reach Euro 2024 semi-finals
-
Endrick to start for Brazil in Uruguay Copa clash: Dorival
-
Heartbreak for Germany fans after dramatic Euros exit
-
Beryl heads for Texas after causing damage, no deaths in Mexico
-
Nagelsmann laments late penalty decision as hosts Germany exit Euros
-
Biden declares he's all in ahead of high-risk TV interview
-
Spain team 'is a winning horse', says De la Fuente
-
Bows at the ready, Chad villagers battle kidnappings
-
Alcaraz mimics Bellingham goal celebration after Wimbledon win
-
Olmo hopes Pedri can make speedy return for Euros semi-finalists Spain
-
Retiring Kroos hopeful despite Germany's 'bitter' Euros exit
-
Southgate turns on English 'entitlement' over claims of easy Euros draw
-
Merino extra-time goal sends Spain past Germany to Euro semis
-
Koeman demands Dutch silence fervent Turkish fans at Euros
-
Brad Pitt at Silverstone for filming of F1 movie
-
Raducanu storms into Wimbledon last 16
-
California fires spread in July 4 weekend heatwave
-
Alcaraz wins five-set Wimbledon thriller as Gauff eases through
-
Demiral Euros ban 'unfair' but Turkish pride will grow, says coach Montella
-
Gauff overpowers qualifier to reach Wimbledon fourth round
-
Vinales sets German MotoGP lap record as Marquez goes flying
![UK D-Day vets sail for Normandy for landings anniversary](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/1b/39/2c/UK-D-Day-vets-sail-for-Normandy-for-295050.jpg)
UK D-Day vets sail for Normandy for landings anniversary
Eight decades after Allied forces landed on the beaches of German-occupied France, a group of British veterans made the journey again -- crossing the English Channel to mark the anniversary of D-Day.
John Mines, 99, was amongst the first wave of soldiers to go ashore in Normandy as part of the biggest naval operation ever in terms of the number of ships deployed and the troops involved.
By the end of what became known as "the longest day", 156,000 Allied troops with 20,000 vehicles had landed in Nazi-occupied northern France despite facing a hail of bullets, artillery and aircraft fire.
"If I could go again, I would go again. I'm glad we sacrificed so that others (could) have a good life," told AFP. "It wasn't me, they're all heroes."
Mines is one of 29 D-Day veterans -- 20 from the Royal British Legion and nine from the Spirit of Normandy Trust organisations -- who boarded a ferry Tuesday in England's Portsmouth bound for Ouistreham on the French side of the Channel.
Nearly 80 years ago, soldiers made the same journey on June 6, 1944 for the operation which became known as D-Day.
Three months before the launch of D-Day, Mines was called up for military service at 19.
"I got picked because of my surname!" he said.
Mines's first mission, along with other soldiers, was to clear Gold Beach of its hazards.
"I was lucky, very very lucky," Mines said facing the Channel -- where so many of his fellow soldiers were killed.
"If you got caught off by a machine gun you were cut in two pieces. A mate of mine that came ashore with me died like that soon after we landed," he added.
- 'Pay their respects' -
Walking onto the deck of the vessel under a greyish sky, the veterans, of which several are over 100-years-old, were greeted by bagpipers.
Passengers on the upper deck paid their respects to the group of former soldiers.
As the D-Day survivors departed the ferry, two fireboats sprayed water at the boat while warships docked at the military base sounded sirens with their personnel standing to attention.
A Royal Air Force A400M made several overflights to mark the occasion.
"Making sure that they can pay their respects to their comrades is our primary purpose and make sure the legacy of what they did in 1944 will not be forgotten," said Mark Waring, the vice-president of the Spirit of Normandy Trust.
- 'Too painful' -
During the ceremony, a wreath was thrown overboard by two veterans to the sound of an orchestra -- which left some spectators in tears.
Joyce Cooper, the 70-year-old daughter of a D-Day veteran, told AFP that her father didn't want to go to war but was sent draft papers in 1942 when he was 18.
"My father Alan landed in a floating tank on Sword Beach in Lion-sur-Mer, they had been told they had one hour to live," she said, adding that her father's tank commander died in his arms during the Battle of Normandy.
"He didn't talk about it till he was forty. He couldn't. It was too painful, really painful. He really suffered inside," she said.
F.Carias--PC