In a series of programmes marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day, Sophie Raworth tells the story of Operation Overlord, the ambitious allied invasion of German-occupied France. She visits Southwick House in Hampshire - where D-Day was planned - and is joined by George Batts, national secretary of the Normandy Veterans' Association. Dan Snow outlines the vital role of the Air Force in the success of D-Day, and former paratrooper Geoff Pattinson explains how he took a glider trip twice to get into occupied France. Wrens Marsie and Jean reveal the secrets of life in Eisenhower's headquarters and veteran Harold Dudman, who returned to the Normandy beaches with his wife and daughter, shares his moving story.
Sophie Raworth visits Fort Southwick in Hampshire, the operation's communications headquarters, where she is joined by a group of Wrens to hear their D-Day memories. James Holland is given a tour of the miles of secret tunnels under Fort Southwick, Dan Snow explores the Navy's role in D-Day, and two former schoolgirls reveal what life was like as the troops began to arrive in their village. Veteran Richard Llewellyn shares the details of the diary he kept on D-Day, and Robert Coupe explains how he honours the memory of his fallen comrades by making a very personal modern-day pilgrimage.
Sophie Raworth is in Portsmouth, from where many of the troops left for Normandy and she is joined by modern-day cadets who share their thoughts about the heroes of D-Day. Veteran Eldon Roberts shares his memories of rehearsing the D-Day landings on Hayling Island and Judy Stokes remembers how she cared for the injured soldiers. Dan Snow meets modern-day marines who explain what's involved in a beach assault and Robert Barker reveals what happened to him after he set foot on the beaches of Normandy.
Veteran Joe Cattini recalls his anxious wait in the English Channel.
