June 12, 1944

In true characteristic style, Churchill wanted to go in with the main invasion force of Normandy on 6 June 1944. It was only King George VI that was able to convince him otherwise by saying that if Churchill was going, then he (the King) was going as well. Churchill, after much debate,  eventually conceded that this was neither practical nor sensible.

On D-Day+6 Churchill sailed across the Channel to the coast of France aboard the HMS Kelvin and visited the beaches at Normandy surveying the destruction. General Sir Bernard Montgomery met him and they later lunched together at Montgomery’s headquarters just three miles from the front.

Churchill enquired about the likelihood of German armour breaking up their lunch party and Montgomery replied that his HQ had indeed been shelled the night before.