PICTURES: Ross-shire remembers 80th anniversary of D-Day Normandy landings
POIGNANT acts of remembrance have been held across Ross-shire to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.
Thousands of personnel displayed enormous heroism to storm the beaches of Normandy and help turn the tide of the Second World War.
It is the largest seaborne invasion in history and began the liberation of France, and the rest of Western Europe, laying the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front.
SEE ALSO
Have the Ross-shire newsletter sent to your inbox free twice a week
Portmahomack war hero’s memorial revamp a touching tribute to WWI sacrifice
The Tarbat peninsula - where commemorations were held this week - was vitally important as it was evacuated in November 1943 to allow for practising for the exercise.
The War Cabinet approved recommendations that 500 yards of coast between the Arboll Burn and the rocks at Balnabruach were ideal for practising tank landing, that the hinterland to the south as far as the other coast was suitable for armoured units to train with live ammunition, and that the airfields at Tain and Fearn should be used.
Fifteen square miles, mainly in the parish of Tarbat, but also including the village of Inver, were requisitioned. Some 900 people and all the farm animals in this area were evacuated. Access to Portmahomack village was strictly regulated.
Major training exercises were carried out in the first quarter of 1944. The evacuees began to return in April, many reporting damage which required compensation.
Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty, Joanie Whiteford, said: “There can be no doubt that the evacuation and the exercises carried out on our beaches and fields facilitated the successful British landings at Sword Beach and Gold Beach on 6th June, 1944.”
Events were held at both Inver and Portmahomack,both beginning with bell ringing and culminating with a bonfire on the beach, where a reading of the International Tribute was read.
The Lord Lieutenant said: “Dingwall held a Service of Remembrance…to mark the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings.
“So many thanks to those who organised this important Act of Remembrance.”
In In Ullapool there was a short service at the war memorial followed by wreath laying.
