Newhaven Fort Prepares for
D-Day
On the 6th June 1944, Britain and her allies launched
the greatest invasion of all time against the might of Hitler’s
fortress Europe. At 9:30am, the B.B.C. gave the world the news it
had been waiting for. The brief message from the Supreme Headquarters
Allied Expeditionary Force read,
“Under the command of General Eisenhower,
allied naval forces supported by strong air forces, began landing
allied armies on the northern coast of France.”
D-Day had finally arrived
156,000 troops with supporting armour were landed
on five beaches between Le Havre and Cherbourg. The operation was
supported by 1213 warships, 4123 landing craft, 1600 other ships,
11500 aircraft and 3500 gliders.
Sussex and the South Coast was the springboard
for the planned invasion of Normandy. In the weeks leading up to
D-Day, thousands of troops poured into East and West Sussex to stay
in sealed camps ready for the big push into France. Jeeps, trucks,
tanks and armoured cars lined the lanes of the county and stack
of rifles were piled up, ready to be grabbed by soldiers.
For Sussex people, who were fighting the war on
the home front, it was a time they will never forget. The beaches
were a mass of tangled barbed wire to foil Hitler’s would
be invaders. Piers had their middle section taken away for the same
reason. Young boys and men too old to join the Army patrolled the
Downs as part of the Home Guard forces in the look out for German
paratroopers.
In Newhaven, the port was full of all types of
landing craft, motor torpedo boats and other ships. Further up the
river there were more concealed under camouflage covers and waiting
for embarkation to Normandy.
The story of D-Day has been told in countless
books and films and during 2004 it will be repeated so that new
generations will learn of the heroic events and personal sacrifices
which changed the history of the world.
Sunday June 6th 2004 is the 60th anniversary of
D-Day and Newhaven Fort will be commemorating the occasion by hosting
a Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance, followed by an afternoon
programme of events. Due to the service, the Fort will open slightly
later than usual at 12.30.
Operation Overlord –
Service of Remembrance and Commemorative Event
The 60th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings
Newhaven Fort – 6th June 2004
Programme
| 11.30 |
Official Service of Remembrance in the presence of Her Majesty’s
Lord Lieutenant for East Sussex (approx 45 minutes) |
| 11.45 |
March off by Standard Bearers |
| 12.30 |
Fort opens to the General Public |
| 13.00 – 16.00 |
Arena displays featuring the Horsham Band RBL, the Sussex
and Surrey Yeomanry Band, Sea Cadets, Sussex Army Cadet force
and the Air Training Corps throughout afternoon.
Also the Royal Observer Corps Reunion & Display
The Sussex & Surrey Yeomanry Reunion
Models/Paintings/Artefacts display and sale
Living History Display
Vintage Military Vehicles Display
HMS Forward display |
| 16.15 |
Spectators to take seats for the Sunset Ceremony |
| 16.30 |
Sunset Ceremony
Bands
Evening Hymn
Lowering of flag and taking salute |
| 18.00 |
Fort Closes |
All timings approximate except the 11.00 Service
of Remembrance and 16.30 Sunset Ceremony.
|
