World War II veterans gather to commemorate D-Day Normandy landings

Allied World War II veterans are gathering for commemorations to honour the nearly 160,000 troops from the UK, the US, Canada and other nations who landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944, in a decisive assault on French shores that led to Nazi Germany's defeat less than one year later.

Veterans, their families and domestic and international visitors braved the rainy weather to take part in a series of events this weekend and on Monday for the 78th anniversary of D-Day.

This year's D-Day anniversary comes after two successive years of the COVID-19 pandemic restricted or deterred visitors. 

Many felt the celebrations paying tribute to those who brought peace and freedom to the continent held special meaning this year as war is raging again in Europe since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

Commemorations for the fallen soldiers who lost their lives as the world got together to fight against fascism almost eight decades ago were particularly emotional given the muted Victory Day celebrations in Europe earlier in May.

More than 20 British World War II veterans came together Sunday near Pegasus Bridge in northwestern France, one of the first sites liberated by Allied forces.

Dozens of US veterans were also attending events in the region, ahead of Monday's ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, home to the gravesites of 9,386 who died fighting on D-Day and in the operations that followed.

Peter Smoothy, 97, served in the British Royal Navy and landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.

"The first thing I remember are the poor lads who didn't come back [...] It's a long time ago now, nearly 80 years [...] And here we are still living," he said. 

"We're thinking about all these poor lads who didn't get off the