Lecture: D-Day through Danish eyes by Jakob Tøtrup Kjærsgaard
On the anniversary of the occupation of Denmark, the focus is on Danish sailors and their crucial role during the Second World War and the invasion of Normandy.
On 9 April 2026, historian Jakob Tøtrup Kjærsgaard will tell the story of Danish sailors during the Second World War. Around 6,300 Danish sailors sailed in the service of the Allies, and almost 1,100 lost their lives.
More than 800 Danish wartime sailors were involved in the preparations for D-Day and the invasion of Normandy in 1944, where the merchant fleet played a crucial role in transporting troops, equipment and supplies.
The lecture also provides insight into the difficult return of the wartime sailors and the belated recognition of their achievements. Based on the lecturer's work at the Utah Beach Museum, it recounts how Denmark has now become part of the official commemorative ceremonies in Normandy.