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6th June 1944 - D-Day

The Sound Archive holds over 800 interviews about the D-Day landings including recordings relating to planning and preparation, the airborne invasion, naval and air operations and the American, British and Canadian beaches.

Listen to Extracts

1/Stagg

Group Captain James Stagg (ref 2910/2), the RAF's Chief Meteorological Officer recalls his role in explaining to General Eisenhower about the possibility of a gap in the bad weather occurring on the 6th June 1944.

2/Garrieppe

Canadian sergeant Leo Garrieppe (ref 2908/2) describes amphibious Duplex Drive Sherman tanks of the 1st Hussars tank approaching Juno Beach in rough seas.

3/Thompson

Peter Thompson (ref 12935/2), a seaman aboard LST 304 describes the landing of tanks and support vehicles during the D-Day landings.

4/ Shannon

Deception played an important role in fooling the Germans to the exact location of the landings. Here Wing Commander David Shannon (ref 8177/3) who served with 617 Squadron recounts details of Operation Taxable, which simulated a spoof landing of an invasion force in the Calais area.

5/ Howard

Colonel John Howard (ref 11061), commanding officer of the 2nd Bn Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry describes the plan to capture by glider the important bridge over the Orne Canal later known as Pegasus Bridge.

6/ Otway

Airborne landings often took place under difficult conditions on D-Day. Here Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway (ref 12133/4) recalls his parachute landing away from the intended drop zone.

7/ Fussell

Peter Fussell (ref 10242/4) who landed with Headquarters, 1st Commando Brigade on Sword Beach explains the importance of getting off the beach quickly.

8/ Younger

Specially designed armour played a crucial role in breaching the defences of the Atlantic Wall. Allan Younger (ref 8634/3), who commanded 26 Assault Squadron, Royal Engineers on Juno Beach explains the use of specialist AVRE tanks for beach clearance.

9/ Jalland

Lieutenant William Jalland (ref 11944/14), a platoon commander with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry recalls many of the problems faced by the infantry in getting ashore on D-Day.

10/ Andre

Senator Andre (ref 2905/2), a French civilian describes his reaction to being liberated.

Find out more about the Sound Archive.

All photographs featured on these pages are held by the Museum's Photograph Archive.