79 years ago today, on 6 June 1944, Allied countries across the world participated in the largest seaborne invasion in history codenamed operation Overlord.
Overlord was tasked with delivering five naval assault divisions to the beaches of Normandy, France, and the beaches were given the code names UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO and SWORD.
The invasion force included 7000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel from eight allied countries.
“The Australians who supported the D-Day invasion included between 2000 and 2500 RAAF airmen in Australian squadrons and British Royal Air Force units, and approximately 500 members of the Royal Australian Navy serving on Royal Navy vessels, as well as a small number of Australian Army officers and merchant seamen,’’ Minister Barnett said.
“One such Australian was Tasmanian Lieutenant Kenneth Hudspeth, who was tasked with waiting ahead of the impending invasion in his submarine of 5 crew. His mission was to raise his telescopic mast that had navigation lights affixed to guide the arrival of the Allied invasion force. This was a dangerous task at the risk of being sunken by German artillery fire directed at the approaching fleet.
“Lieutenant Kenneth Hudspeth was recognised for his service in the D-Day operations and was awarded a second Bar for his Distinguished Service Cross ‘for gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy.’ Lieutenant Hudspeth was later promoted to Lieutenant Commander after a series of appointments.
“D-Day was a turning point that laid the foundations of the Allied Victory that would see France liberated and freedom for occupied Europe. A year later World War Two in Europe would end in May 1945. Almost a million Australians, both men and women, served in the Second World War.”
Minister Barnett said that Australia’s contribution to the fighting in Normandy is commemorated in memorial and cemeteries in London and Normandy and the Tasmanian Liberal Government continues to be a proud supporter of our veterans and their families.
Lest we forget