US President Barack Obama has given a rousing speech to pay tribute to the thousands who died during the Battle of Normandy.<br /><br />Obama, speaking during commemorations for the 70th anniversary of D-Day, honoured the veterans of the conflict.<br /><br />He said: “Whenever the world makes you cynical, whenever you doubt that courage and goodness is possible, stop and think of these men – Wilson, Harry and Rock – they are here today, and although I know we already gave them a rousing round of applause along with all our veterans at D-Day, if you can, stand, if not please raise your hand, let us recognise your service once more. <br /><br />“These men waged war so that we might know peace, they sacrificed so that we might be free, they fought in hopes of a day when we no longer need to fight.”<br /><br />At least 4,400 Allied troops were killed in the first 24 hours of D-Day and many thousands more in the ensuing three-month Battle of Normandy, which brought the Allies to Paris to liberate the French capital from Nazi occupation.<br /><br />French President Francois Hollande, speaking after laying a wreath in Caen, was keen to pay hommage to the 20,000 citizens who helped Allied troops.<br /><br />He said: “I want to emphasise the solidarity of the Normandy people during this event.<br /><br />“Everyone did something.<br /><br />“The farmer who opened his barn to the unfortunate who sought shelter. <br /><br />“The trader who opened his shop to provide what remained of his food.<br /><br />“The contractor that opened his workshop until the downpour had passed.<br /><br />“The priest who opened his church for protection, which sometimes can be a curse when a shell hit.”<br /><br />US veterans had got D-Day commemorations underway with a poignant sunrise service on a Normandy beach.<br /><br />It was around this time, 6.30am, that the landings had begun 70 years ago.<br /><br />For many veterans, it’s likely to be the last significant anniversary they will see.<br /><br />Some later met Queen Elizabeth after she had laid a wreath at Bayeux’s Commonwealth war memorial.<br /><br />The town, the first in mainlaind France to be liberated, had earlier hosted a Royal British Legion service, which was attended by Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Charles.
