A SOLDIER who survived enemy fire on a Normandy beach on D-Day will tell his story online today. Watch the full interview here
Dick Bowen, 81, from York, is the first former soldier to feature in Veterans' Stories - a Remembrance Day project by The Northern Echo.
As a young man, Mr Bowen served with the Green Howards, based in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
Fearing he was missing out, he pestered his commanding officer to be permitted to fight on the front line.
He was eventually allowed to leave and joined the battle weary soldiers of the East Yorkshire Regiment as they were about to storm Gold Beach as part of 50th Division on D-Day.
He recounts the ramp of the landing craft opening and the sudden realisation that people were trying to kill him.
Mr Bowen's unit was given the task of capturing a pillbox among the sand dunes.
The assault on the German position did not go to plan, but was still successful. The regiment then travelled onwards to Germany. To see Mr Bowen's video, visit www.thenorthernecho. co.uk from noon today
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