Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will visit France for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, before travelling to the United States and Canada, he said earlier today.
Abbott said he would join French President Francois Hollande and other heads of government at the British services at the Bayeux Cathedral and Cemetery and the international ceremony at Sword Beach, Ouistreham. “More than 3,000 Australians fought in support of the D-Day landings, 18 were killed,” Abbott said in a statement, adding that seven Australian D-Day veterans would accompany him.
The commemorations marking a pivotal 24 hours in World War II will this year be attended by Britain´s Queen Elizabeth II and US President Barack Obama.
No effort has been spared to ensure this year´s ceremonies are a fitting tribute to the 156,000-plus troops who waded or parachuted onto French soil on June 6, 1944, approximately 4,500 of whom were dead by the day´s end.
