Manx participation in D-Day told digitally

A digital exhibition exploring the Manx involvement in the D-Day landings has been made available online to mark the 80th anniversary of the assault.

The presentation, external explores the Isle of Man Steam Packet's involvement, the use of aircraft from the Royal Airforce Jurby, and the island's internment camps.

The interactive story was created by Manx National Heritage (MNH) alongside Google Arts and Culture Coinciding with the 80th anniversary since the operation.

MNH curator of social history Matthew Richardson said the island played a "huge part" in the operations.

The D-Day landings, which took place on 6 June 1944, saw 156,000 allied troops land on the coast of France and led to the liberation of the whole of the northern part of the country.

During the operation carried troops across the channel, aircraft were used to evacuate injured casualties and fire rockets, while soldiers fought on the battlefields.

Accounts from Manx servicemen involved can be heard and read in the presentation.

Those include Eric Cain, who was a crew member on the Ben-My-Chree, experienced soldier Hector Duff, and Manx officer Brian Mylchreest.

Mr Richardson said: "The Isle of Man played a huge part in these operations, in fact disproportionately so given its small population at that time."

He said Manx ships had "played a vital part" in the operation, while soldiers from the island "fought bravely on the battlefields".

"Some were killed, and others who survived carried the scars, both mental and physical, for the rest of their lives," he said.

Using technology to make the stories accessible online across the world would help to "engage with new and younger audiences", he continued.

"It is important that the lessons we can learn from history are not overlooked by future generations," he added.

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