Today marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings at Normandy. The invasion was an exceedingly difficult and monumental task that required ample planning and the courage of many. We are reminded of the indomitable spirit of those who braved the uncertain waters of the English Channel to land on the beaches of Normandy. On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 British, Canadian, and American troops embarked on a mission that would mark a turning point in World War II and forever change the course of history.
The significance of this day cannot be overstated. It was a moment when the tide of war shifted and when the forces of freedom and democracy took a stand against tyranny and oppression. The bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought on that day are etched into the annals of time, a testament to the courage and resilience of the human spirit.
We honour the few who remain and the many who have passed. The veterans who are making their way to Normandy for this major milestone carry with them the memories of comrades lost and battles fought. They represent the living history of a day that saw the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare.
While the characters in Classified: France ‘44 are fictional, we want to take the time today to remember those real people who risked it all on the beaches of Normandy 80 years ago. Every year, fewer of those brave soldiers remain. At some point, all will have passed, but we must never forget the sacrifices that had to be made to ensure the restraints imposed by a fascist dictatorship could be unshackled.
Dear Mom and Pop,
I hope this letter finds you well. It’s been a few months since I left England and joined the resistance here in France. I won’t lie to you, it’s been tough. But the guys and gals I’ve been fighting with are just ace! Real heroes, all of them.
Word is that tomorrow’s the big day - D-Day. By the time you read this, hopefully our boys will be deep into Normandy, kicking Jerry’s ass all the way back to Berlin! And I’ll be right there with them!
I miss you all and I miss home so much. But I know I’ll see you again soon. Keep me in your prayers.
All my love, Willard
PS: I hope you like the sketch! I’ve been drawing a lot recently.
Please join us at 10 am BST (11 am CEST) as we will be streaming Classified: France ‘44 on the Team17 Twitch channel, and at 11 am BST we will observe a minute of silence to remember and honour the brave souls who fought for us.
For more information on Classified: France ’44, visit the official website, like the game on Facebook, and follow it on X.