AFN, Pentagon Channel Commemorate 70th Anniversary of D-Day

From an American Forces Network Broadcast Center News Release

RIVERSIDE, Calif., June 4, 2014 – June 6 marks 70 years since the Allied landings on the beaches of Normandy. It was the largest air, land and sea operation in history, with more than 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes and 150,000 servicemen.

The American Forces Network will commemorate the 70th Anniversary of D-Day with special programming on its television and radio services.

AFNmovie will air reports from locations in Normandy during special airings of “Ike-Countdown to D-Day,” “The Longest Day” and “Saving Private Ryan” starting at 10:30 a.m. CET/JKT June 6.

AFNprime will premiere the Nova special, “D-Day’s Sunken Secrets,” a vivid account of D-Day from the perspective of one of the world’s largest underwater wreck sites beginning at 7 p.m. CET/JKT June 6.

AFN Europe will air radio broadcasts live from. In tomorrow’s Eagle Midday Show, Army Spc. Monique Moore from AFN Bavaria will broadcast from the Airborne Museum in St. Mere Eglise, France. The show will feature interviews with veterans and others involved with the official D-Day Commemoration. June 6, Army Staff Sgt. Nick Kibbey will join Moore to co-anchor a live broadcast leading up to President Barack Obama’s speech during the official D-Day commemoration ceremony and to interview veterans and other important guests.

The Pentagon Channel will host a number of special commemorative and news programs:

-- At 4:30 a.m. EDT June 6, DOD News will carry the D-Day commemoration ceremony live.

-- At 9 a.m. EDT June 6, DOD News will present a special report to highlight D-Day events that honor the importance of the historic event. This special report, leading into the encore airing of the D-Day commemoration, will include reports from the D-Day Memorial in Bedford Virginia, the Nation’s World War II Memorial in Washington, and the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

-- “D-Day Convoy,” a historical film produced in 1948 and narrated by Lorne Green, depicts activities just prior to and including D-Day. It airs at 3 a.m., 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. EDT June 6.

-- “D-Day Anniversary,” a historical film produced in 1969, shows the drama and battle action of the period of the landing at Normandy and the fierce combat to overcome the wall of "Fortress Europe." It airs at 7 a.m., 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. EDT June 6.

-- “Return to Normandy” tells the story of a World War II U.S. paratrooper who jumped with the 101st Airborne Division into Normandy, fought in Operation Market Garden, and held on to the city of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Jim "Pee Wee" Martin, 93, tells his story of being an airborne soldier during World War II. Airtimes, all EDT, are 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. June 6; 2:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. June 9; 1:30 a.m., 5:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. June 11; and 3:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. June 12.

“Beaches of Red,” a documentary showing the development of American landing operations that culminated in Operation Overlord, is the story of the Landing Craft Vehicle and the people connected to the early Higgins boats. Airtimes, all EDT, are 1 a.m., 5 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m. June 6.