English soldier Ken Hay was trapped behind German lines and captured while on night patrol in 1944, days after joining the Allied invasion of Normandy, a turning point in World War Two.
Nov 12 (Reuters) - English soldier Ken Hay was trapped behind German lines and captured while on night patrol in 1944, days after joining the Allied invasion of Normandy, a turning point in World War Two.
The ambush near the bitterly contested “Hill 112” came during weeks of fighting after the largest seaborne assault in history, which began the liberation of France from Nazi German occupation.
As many nations around the world commemorate last century’s wars and other conflicts during a weekend of remembrance, preparations are already under way to mark next year’s 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy.
Born in the English county of Essex, Hay took part in the early reinforcements of Juno Beach, which had been stormed under Canadian command on D-Day, June 6.
Hay, 98, is helping raise funds for an educational pavilion in time for next year’s 80th anniversary, likely to be attended by Britain’s King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Corporal Sidney Bates posthumously received Britain’s Victoria Cross for “supreme gallantry” after repeatedly charging a critical German position with a light machine gun before dying of his wounds.
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Nov 12 (Reuters) - English soldier Ken Hay was trapped behind German lines and captured while on night patrol in 1944, days after joining the Allied invasion of Normandy, a turning point in World War Two.
The ambush near the bitterly contested “Hill 112” came during weeks of fighting after the largest seaborne assault in history, which began the liberation of France from Nazi German occupation.
As many nations around the world commemorate last century’s wars and other conflicts during a weekend of remembrance, preparations are already under way to mark next year’s 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy.
Born in the English county of Essex, Hay took part in the early reinforcements of Juno Beach, which had been stormed under Canadian command on D-Day, June 6.
Hay, 98, is helping raise funds for an educational pavilion in time for next year’s 80th anniversary, likely to be attended by Britain’s King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Corporal Sidney Bates posthumously received Britain’s Victoria Cross for “supreme gallantry” after repeatedly charging a critical German position with a light machine gun before dying of his wounds.
The original article contains 657 words, the summary contains 191 words. Saved 71%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!