Britain has been airbrushed out of a Normandy town’s D-Day commemorations, with officials putting up bunting in tribute to the US and Canada, plus every EU member state – but excluding this country.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has risked the wrath of allies by inviting Russian officials to attend a ceremony scheduled for June 6, marking 80 years since the Normandy landings.
Colour flags adorn the streets of Carentan, immortalised in an episode of Steven Spielberg’s World War 2 mini-series Band of Brothers.
However, there is not a Union Jack in sight, despite the prominent role British troops played in the high-stakes operation, in which 11,000 UK troops lost their lives.
Neil Geddes, a 59-year-old engineer from Fleetwood, Lancs, told The Sun: “It’s wrong, considering our involvement in France’s evacuation and liberation.”
The flags of Switzerland, Sweden, and Ireland were all included in the display, despite being neutral during the war, Mr Geddes pointed out.
He said: “They have no right to flags here when it was us who battled the Nazis.”
Mr Geddes’ friend Gordon Bridge, 83, who is also of Fleetwood, added: “For the brave contribution our country gave to defeating evil we should never be forgotten.”
Carole Zarb, 54, of the town’s tourism board, blamed the town hall, saying: “We think it is because of Brexit. We are not behind their decision.”
Wine shop owner Lucie Maupas, 32, said she believed the decision was an error, saying: “Britain must be on the bunting with the other flags.”
Express.co.uk has contacted Carentan Town Hall for comment.
Mr Macron’s decision invite Russia to send a delegation to next month’s event has angered the Britain and the US, Politico revealed yesterday, given Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war on Ukraine.
One unnamed UK government official described France’s actions – coupled with its decision to send a representative to Putin’s inauguration last month – as “disturbing.”
Macron “saw himself above the fray and that in the end he’s going to be some form on peace broker” on Ukraine, a stance which the source called “completely misplaced”.
Two US officials observed: “We would defer to the government of France, which organises the commemoration at Normandy.
“But perhaps this will remind the Russians that they actually fought real Nazis once, not imaginary ones in Ukraine.”
As a supporter of unity and historical recognition, it is disappointing to see Britain excluded from Carentan’s D-Day commemorations. Our shared history should always be honored, regardless of present politics. Let’s hope for a reconsideration by the town officials.
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