Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s speech at the D-Day 80 years commemoration

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Your Royal Highness,

Monsieur le Ministre,

Monsieur le Maire,

Descendants,

I feel humble, standing here – looking at the sea – and looking back at history.

Trying to imagine the immense drama unfolding 80 years ago, the D-day.

Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, began shortly after midnight in the morning of 6 June.

The largest landing operation ever – in terms of complexity, entrepreneurship and innovation. And courage.

More than 150.000 Allied troops, 7.000 vessels and 11.000 planes involved.

And more than 2.000 Norwegians – with various duties and tasks that day.

At dawn, the Norwegian Navy destroyer “Svenner” was torpedoed, and the ship sunk, near Hermanville-sur-Mer.

More than 30 sailors, mostly Norwegians, lost their lives. Others were rescued by a British ship. Next to us is the anchor of “Svenner”, brought to shore 21 years ago.

In addition to the Navy, Norway had more than 50 merchant ships taking part in the operation, crossing the Channel with troops, materiel and supplies. Their task too, was extremely dangerous – and extremely important.

Friends,

We are here to commemorate.

To commemorate is to honor and to remember, passing on the memories to the next generation.

Remembering helps us to never become indifferent to how history was made – and at what costs.

The heroic efforts and sacrifices of all those involved – including the civilians.

A beginning of the end of the Second World War. Today, very few D-day eyewitnesses are left to tell their stories. I am glad that there are relatives of at least two survivors from “Svenner” here today, keeping alive their memories.

Friends,

Today, we pay homage not only to bravery and courage. We pay homage to values, principles, attitudes – to what we believe in.

The soldiers who landed on these beaches fought for their countries’ freedom.

They fought for democratic rule, against totalitarian dictatorship.

They fought for their future; our present, our communities, our opportunities to live in democratic, free, independent countries.

Now, this monument, “Orlogsgast” – “Le Matelot”, has a twin brother. A ‘copy’ of the sculpture can be seen in Oslo, at the Place de Normandie at Akershus quay – close to my office.

Two monuments – 1500 kilometers apart – connecting two countries, Norway and France:

A symbol of solidarity, resistance and courage.

An image of the strong bonds between us, two great maritime nations. Solidly anchored in the same values, and solidly united in the NATO Alliance. Demonstrating then – as is true today: Europe and North America must stand together; we’ll both stand to lose if we don’t.

In 1940, French troops came to Narvik in Northern Norway to stop the Nazi German invasion. In 1944, Norwegians went to Normandy to fight.

And we know that we would do exactly the same today, if required. This is the promise of NATO’s collective defense.

Not too long ago, we thought that war in Europe was history. – The Cold War had ended, Europe was united, geopolitical tensions were low, we enjoyed peace on our continent.

However, on this D-day anniversary, this is not the case. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has changed the security landscape in Europe.

Now, Ukrainian soldiers are fighting for their survival, their freedom, for democratic values, and their right to choose their own European path.

Together with France and other allies, Norway supports their fight. With political, military and economic means, long-term. This is of great importance for Europe’s common security.

Chers amis,

Revenons à aujourd’hui, 80 ans après le Jour-J – à notre histoire commune.

Nous n'oublierons jamais les marins et les vagues de soldats – qui ont été tués lors du débarquement – ou qui sont parvenus à rejoindre les plages, et qui ont continué à se battre.

Ils se sont battus pour nous, pour notre paix et notre prospérité, contre la tyrannie et la terreur.

En leur mémoire, merci !

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English version of the French paragraphs:

Friends,

Back to where we stand today, 80 years after D-day – our shared history.

We will never forget the sailors and the waves of soldiers – who were either killed during the landing or made it to the beaches – and toiled on. They fought for us, for our peace and prosperity, against tyranny and terror.

In their memory, thank you.