I’m scared. Scared of what my eyes will see. Trembling, I think of what terrifying memories might come if I look at the chalk-white graves. Sad, troubled ones, of my dear friends.

This is my annual tradition where I visit the WWII memorial on the sixth of June and each time makes me just as apprehensive as the last. And there, as I walk down the slate grey path, I see the pure white crosses, torturing my brain, tempting me to think.

I can’t help it. The memories come flooding back...memories from exactly 50 years ago, on the sixth of June in 1994...

Chapter 2

On the boat

I’ve never seen a day darker. Under the cadet grey sky we are huddled like sardines, quivering, shuddering, awaiting our doom. Suddenly, bullets come pouring down, taking my comrades in their wake.”Duck!”

“Get down!” Soon the sharp, grey, cold bitterness of the sea turns into a crimson pool of gore and fury.

Struggling to survive, already, we try so hard to dodge the solid copper bullets. Praying, hoping and dreaming, we spot the shoreline emerging, a misty blue blanket only just in our eyesight. I try to be hopeful, but I’ve already lost all faith.

Chapter 3

In the sea

Slaughtered bodies surround us, ready to rot away to dust whilst the remaining soldiers and I struggle to the dusty shore. Thick, crimson waves shock my body with their icy wrath. We wade through the furious tide, ignoring the bitter, salty taste of the sea, dodging the slick copper bullets.

Explosions erupt from all around us, like large geysers ready to tear us to pieces. And as we tread the water, we try not to notice the dying men at our sides. BANG! I hear a bloodcurdling scream and I am suddenly aware of my dear friend John, perishing at my feet...My vision goes blurry, and I feel a slight tear sliding down my cheek.

There is nothing I can do. John was my best friend, and now I’ve lost him. I didn’t expect this...I should have known better...

Chapter 4

On the beach

Finally, we get to Omaha beach. I think I’ve gulped up half of the seawater by now. I think I’ve lost half of my self esteem by now...As the golden sand swiftly flutters up from our feet, we wander up the sand at the top of the beach. The horizon emerges as we finally get to the top of the beach, men helping their old china plates.

I have no one. I can feel tears appearing once again, but I clench my fists and blot my eyes. “I can do this. Now is not the time to be crying like a little baby!” Mustering up the courage, I carry on trudging and see the enemy arising, ready to fight. And it’s a hard fight too, ending with many of my colleagues being injured and even dead.

Yet, we outnumber the Germans, and we dominate them in just a few hours. In fact, two German troops approach us with their hands saying something utterly in German “Wir geben auf! Wir geben auf! Bitte tu mir nicht weh.”

I have no idea what they are saying, but a fellow soldier says that they’re surrendering! We can now (after a long, vigorous battle) announce the first fight finished. Now just to wait for the second.

Chapter 5

The aftermath