D-Day 80 years: Memories of heroism and grief in Germany!

D-Day 80 years: Memories of heroism and grief in Germany!

Omaha Beach, Frankreich - Today June 6, 2025 is celebrated internationally as a memorable day, marked by the 80th anniversary of the D-Day, the landing of Allied troops in Normandy. In 1944, over 170,000 soldiers, including American, British and Canadian troops, started this decisive attack, which became known as an "overlord" operation. The landing is considered a turning point in the fight against Hitler Germany and is associated with personal importance by many people around the world.

The memory of the D-Day has several facets. The term itself, "D-Day", is intended to confirm various meanings such as "Decision Day", "Delivery Day", "Doomsday" or "Debarkation Day". Historians like Peter Lieb indicate that the war for Germany was already lost at this time, which illustrates the scope and consequences of this operation. The beaches on which the Allies landed wore code names such as Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah.

commemoration and culture of remembrance

This day, numerous people remember the Allies with memorial celebrations and ceremonies, especially at Utah Beach, where a memorial for the fallen US soldiers and a highgin boat were built. Over 300 museums along the landing beaches have documented history and “memory tourism” around D-Day, which is inseparable from heroism and losses since the 1950s. The landing was prepared for months and was only possible with the support of over 3000 landing boats, 1200 warships and more than 11,000 aircraft.

The assignment was enormous: In the night from June 6, 1944, over 20,000 soldiers jumped off with parachutes to ensure optimal landing. In less than 24 hours, the Allies overrun the German troops and opened a new front in World War II. The losses were high, with estimates between 4400 to 6,000 Allied soldiers and 4000 to 9,000 German soldiers.

different perspectives

The way in which the D-Day is anchored in the memory of every nation varies. British, French and Americans appreciate the day as a symbol of heroism, while mourning and trauma are more focused in Germany. In Germany, May 8th is committed as a "day of liberation", with the idea that war should never go out of German soil. In contrast, the commemorative celebrations are in Normandy, which are often committed in uniform and with a focus on heroic deeds.

The D-Day Festival, which is celebrated at Omaha Beach from June 1 to 16, is another example of the lively memory of this historical day. In 2019, a new monument for the US elite troops at Omaha Beach was inaugurated, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also take part in the commemorative celebrations in the coming year.