Tributes paid to Welsh veterans for D-Day 80
The Normandy landings made up the largest seaborne invasion in history
Tributes are being paid by world leaders in Northern France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings - with the Welsh First Minister also in attendance today.
Vaughan Gething has also been visiting Asnelles today to pay his respects at the memorial to the South Wales Borderers (SWB), the only Welsh unit to land on D-Day before taking part in a commemoration alongside the Mayor of Asnelles and laying wreaths for the SWB and the Royal Welsh Regiment, which traces it roots back to the SWB.
D-Day was the successful allied invasion of the beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944.
Codenamed Operation Neptune, the Normandy landings made up the largest seaborne invasion in history and played a crucial role in liberating Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
Maj Gen Chris Barry CBE, Colonel of The Regiment, The Royal Welsh, said: "The Royal Welsh are deeply honoured that the First Minister will lay a wreath at the 2nd Battalion, The South Wales Borderers (SWB) Memorial at Asnelles to commemorate their landing on D Day on 6th June 1944.
"The 2nd Battalion successfully achieved their military objectives after landing and made the most progress on Day 1 of the operation to restore the territorial integrity of the Allies. It is only right and fitting that we honour those Welsh Warriors across the regimental family that gave the ultimate sacrifice in restoring peace to Europe."
Crosses have also been laid in tribute to England, Jones and Went.
In Battle of Normandy, over 70,000 lives were lost from the allied forces, among them were three police officers from south Wales.
South Wales Police say they were Special Constable Alfred John Went (Welch Regiment) and Police War Reserve Constable William Vincent Jones (Welsh Guards), both of the Glamorgan Constabulary and Constable Walter Bernard England (Royal Armoured Corps) of the Cardiff City Police.
Last year representatives from South Wales Police visited the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Cemetery and Memorial at Bayeux, where England is commemorated and Jones is buried, and the Commission’s Ryes Cemetery, where Went is buried, and laid crosses in their honour.
The force said: "During this time, we pay tribute to the bravery of those who landed in Normandy and remember all those who lost their lives during the Second World War.
"Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten."