On this day: a Town is Liberated

This photograph, taken on the 6th of June, 1944, shows German soldiers – including two officers – surrendering to Canadian troops in the French town of Courseulles-sur-Mer.

Below are the Canadians arriving on the beach in their preparations to take over the area.

Taken on D-Day, the first day of the Normandy landings in the Second World War, the town is widely believed to be the first liberated in the massive Allied campaign.

Images of locals and soldiers celebrating Bastille Day together just over a month later can be seen HERE.

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On this day: Bastille Day during a war

The commune of Courseulles-sur-Mer in Normandy, France was liberated early after the D-Day landings in 1944. It is believed to be the first town in the region to be freed.

On the 14th of July the same year, a Bastille Day service was held, with locals as well as Allied troops taking part.

British and American troops with locals at the ceremony at the War Memorial. X

A brother and sister lay flowers. X

A local fireman holds the French Tricolour. X

A British marine (left), who played the Last Post, stands with local children who wait to lay flowers at the service. X