Today we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Also known as Operation Overlord, D-Day took place on 6 June, 1944 during the Second World War. Allied forces landed in Normandy, France to begin the liberation of Europe. This huge attack helped free mainland Europe from Nazi control. Thousands of people worked together to start the fight that eventually led to the end of the war.

Together As One (Aik Saath) has undertaken two oral history projects focused on remembering the contributions of communities whose efforts in both world wars have often been under-represented – the United Indian Ex-servicemen of Slough (Remembering Forgotten Heroes, 2005) and the contribution of Polish aircrew (17,000 Reasons to Remember, 2017).

Young people recording the story of Stanislaw Nawarski as part of 17,000 Reasons to Remember, listened as he shared the story of his involvement in D-Day operations as part of 302 Squadron.

He was told on the evening of the 5 June that they were being transferred to Tangmere – it was not until take-off that they were told they would be taking part in the D-Day operations. The role of the fighter pilots was to patrol the French coast and protect the Allied soldiers who were landing on the beaches of Normandy by making sure enemy aircraft could not get close enough to attack.

To find out more about 17,000 Reason to Remember, download the exhibition brochure here: 17000-reasons-to-remember

To find out more about Remembering Forgotten Heroes, download the exhibition brochure here: Remembering Forgotten Heroes