A stark account of the Allied soldiers’ courage and resolve as they landed in Normandy has been revealed by Hertfordshire County Council’s Archives and Local Studies (HALS) team. The account from George Drew Fanshawe, of the 86th Field Regiment in Hertfordshire, explains how he and his comrades felt as they approached the French beaches to begin the D-Day invasion, 80 years ago today (June 6). He said: “The sight from the deck was the most incredible I’ve ever seen. About 15 miles away was the French coast covered in mist and smoke; to our right and left and behind us were ships of every sort …
