Virus forces scaled down D-Day commemoration in FranceCelebrations that normally draw big crowds were held without veterans and were intentionally "simple, sombre and strong"VIERVILLE-SUR-MER (FRANCE) - The 76th commemoration of the World War II allied landing in France was cut to a strict minimum on Saturday owing to restrictions stemming from the coronavirus. Celebrations that normally draw big crowds were held without veterans and were intentionally "simple, sombre and strong" in the words of French junior armed forces minister Genevieve Darrieussecq. French President Emmanuel Macron said in a message posted on Twitter: "I am thinking of those who, thousands of kilometres from home, fought to liberate France alongside our resistance fighters. Marie-Christine Costy, president of a local association, told AFP: "Unfortunately this year we cannot attend the ceremony, which I never miss, it's a shame." French commemorations also took place in Arromanches and Ouistreham to honour 177 French marines who were the only uniformed French troops to take part in the landings.

Source: Bangkok Post June 06, 2020 18:22 UTC