15293/8D-DAY MEMORIES: MORE than 1,000 people turned out at Keevil Air Base on Sunday to commemorate the part played by the village's Royal Air Force in the D-Day landings.

The former RAF base made a vital contribution to the Normandy landings and young and old were united on Sunday to mark the 60th anniversary of Operation Overlord.

The tribute started with a service at St Leonard's Church in the morning followed by a procession to a memorial plaque unveiled for the 50th anniversary.

Wreaths were then laid in memory of those who flew from Keevil but never returned.

Further events followed in the afternoon including air displays and model aircraft flying.

Among the visitors were 10 D-Day veterans who were involved in the operation from Keevil in 1944.

Ian Simpson, chairman of the organising committee, said: "It was a very successful day and we had even more people than we expected to come and celebrate the heroic efforts of the veterans.

"The most poignant part was the service, where the church was full to capacity there was standing room only."

Pupils from Keevil Infant School also joined the tribute to learn about war history.

Mr Simpson said: "The main point of the day was to remember everyone who played a part in D-Day.

"Hopefully this will have reminded the youngsters, and others, what D-Day is all about. There were many who were not lucky enough to return and we must remember them.

"Keevil was very important in the success of Operation Overlord and it is fitting we had such a good turn out to pay tribute to them."

The air base's involvement in the landings began on June 5, 1944, D-Day minus one, as a detachment of gliders from Keevil set off to Normandy to secure Pegasus Bridge.

Meanwhile, on the aerodrome, members of the 6th Airborne Division's 5th Parachute Brigade boarded the Stirlings of 196 and 299 squadrons and in the early hours of June 6 were dropped on the banks of the River Orme.

That evening troops of the 2nd Ox and Bucks Light Infantry set off and landed west of the Caen Canal. The Stirling tug aircraft then returned to Keevil where they carried out re-supply missions.