Eighty years ago, just after midnight on June 6, 1944, one of the most pivotal military operations of the 20th century commenced. Those first few hours were the beginning of thelongest day, a day that will forever be known as D-Day.As dawn broke, the largest seaborne invasion in history began. Allied forces spearheaded by British, Canadian and American troops stormed the beaches code-named Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah. Naval vessels bombarded the heavily fortified German defences along the coast, and Allied aircraft flew more than 14,500 sorties. Each helped to secure victory by land, sea and air in a campaign that would change the course of history, turning the tide of World War II and launching the liberation of Europe from the Nazis. Eighty years later, the courage and commitment shown by the Allied troops who fought for our freedom on D-Day is commemorated on the brand-new D-Day 80th Anniversary Pure Silver Proof Fifty Pence Coin, officially licensed by the Ministry of Defe