Veterans, leaders and families mark 80 years since D-Day landings in Normandy

Eighty years ago members of allied forces were storming the beaches of Northern France, the first step towards ending World War Two and defeating Nazi Germany. Today, some of the few surviving veterans have returned to Normandy for a series of commemorations. They're joined by the Presidents of the United States and France, along with King Charles and thousands of people wanting to pay their respects. Services began in the United Kingdom from where the allied fleet began its mission.

Some of the 4,600 headstones lit up during the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Great Vigil to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, at the Bayeux War Cemetery in Normandy, France. Source: AAP / Gareth Fuller/PA

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TRANSCRIPT

It was from Portsmouth that thousands of young men departed on boats to a battle which would change the course of history.

Applause for the greatest generation, and a call to ensure memories of the sacrifices made eight decades ago did not fade with time.

Across the channel in France, hundreds of paratroopers landed on the fields of Normandy, recreating a jump made in the dead of night 80 years earlier.

The French president attended the first of many commemorative services; this was to honour the civilian victims of war.

Some of those who travelled to Normandy are descendants of men who fought here.

Many more are military buffs.

Then there are the special few who survived the Second World War.

American Steve Melnikov was one of the brave men who landed on Omaha Beach.

Australian Jim Grievous served in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

They had two very different experiences of the same conflict, but they've been brought together 80 years later, with a message they want to share.

"War is as a wasteful, hurtful thing with no future and that's the main thing. How well the young ones understand that, is hard to say. You can't put an old head on young shoulders. We can only convey to the young ones what we went through and hope like hell, they never have the same."

For Steve the memories of landing here remain vivid.

"The weather was not good. Not only did I have all of my equipment, I carried in also two Bangalore torpedos when he handed down and that's what I carried in."

Major commemorative services are held in Normandy every five years, meaning that sadly, there is every chance that this will be the last one in which D-Day veterans will be in attendance, but organisers are determined to ensure their stories are never forgotten.

Ben Brands is from the American Battle Monuments Commission.

“America as a government and a people has a debt to them that can never be repaid. But we will strive in perpetuity to honour that debt, by maintaining their memory and maintaining these sites.”

Steve Melnikov did not return to Normandy until the 60th anniversary.

Now 104, he knows this is likely to be his last trip back.

"If you do not come back and face what you faced many years ago, you will never get over the hurt that you feel. Some people cannot come back because they have a feeling and they can't get over it. But you have to face it."