Watch the interview in the video below.
Video credit: liarpoliticians2
A D-Day vet has opened up about the historic invasion in an emotionally charged interview, saying it was his generation who ‘saved the world.’
The 93-year-old added that the soldiers who died on that day are the real heroes.
Harry Billinge recalled how his friend died in front of his eyes during the heated battle, the veteran told BBC on the anniversary of the Normandy landings.
The formal Royal Engineer said those who gave their lives on that day should never be forgotten.
Mr. Billinge told the interviewer: “I can’t explain. All I know is Normandy veterans love one another beyond the love of women.
“If you were in a hole in the ground with a bloke, you got to know him. Marvelous men, my generation saved the world and I will never forget any of them.”
The heroic vet then revealed how one of his closest friends died in his arms during the battle.
“A mate of mine died in my arms in a field in Caen,” he said. “He had a three-week-old baby called Nieve and it took me to the 60th anniversary to find out where he was buried.
“They buried him in a little cemetery called La Delivrande and I go up there and I put a cross on his grave.”
Mr. Billinge, who got emotional while recalling the incident, shook the presenter’s hand and apologized for getting overwhelmed, saying: “I’m very sorry, I get a bit choked.”
The 93-year-old maintained that he’s not a hero, saying: “Don’t thank me and don’t call me a hero. I’m no hero, I was lucky, I’m here.
“All the heroes are dead and I will never forget them as long as I live.”
Mr. Billinge enlisted himself with the Royal Engineers when he was just 18 years of age. On June 6, 1944, he was among the first wave of troops who landed on Gold Beach.
He will be going on his final pilgrimage to Normandy this year to witness the new memorial which has been recently built to commemorate the dead.
Mr. Billinge told the Wiltshire Times: “When I went over to Normandy it made a big impression on me that I am unable to forget today.
“I wanted to help all the fellas that never came back. When I heard about the monument I thought ‘This is what I’ve been kept for – to collect for that’.
“I had to do that, it was a must. I shan’t be going again I don’t think. This is my swansong.”
Recommended Video!
“Veteran With ALS Gets Out Of Wheelchair To Honor Son At Military Graduation, And It Brings Everyone To Tears”