The seas were very rough under a grey sky, with many of the men fighting seasickness on ships being tossed about in an angry ocean as they headed for one of the most decisive battles of the Second World War.

It was June 6, 1944, and under the command of General Dwight D Eisenhower, they were about to take on the German war machine headed by Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, who was respected as one of the outstanding military minds of that era.

The day was significant because the allies were fully aware that unless the back of the Nazi machine could be broken, the outcome of a war that had lasted some five years could be hanging in the balance.

It may be more than 70 years since this epic battle took place but generations today should never be in the dark about how that great military encounter played a vital part in stopping Hitler’s objectives to conquer and dominate the world.

Often in major historic battles, there is a tendency to be overwhelmed by the number of casualties, especially with more than 50,000 US troops storming the Normandy Beaches in France, facing a relentless counterattack by enemy forces pouring deadly firepower from positions deep in the hills.

One historian said that the first two hours of fighting was so furious that not even the generals on either side were in control. It was simply a matter of the foot soldier and the moment of truth in a chapter of history.

When reflecting on this piece of history, I am also reminded of the fact that there are thousands of stories about this event that will never be told.

Some footage by brave cameramen fell into the sea during the height of battle, slipping beneath the muddy waters, gone forever.

Those who have experienced seasickness know that terrible feeling is almost unequalled. One soldier commented that he did not care what the Germans had, he just wanted to set foot on a peace of land.

Gen Eisenhower, who gave the go order for the invasion, knew his career was hanging in the balance should the mission fail, and carried a note in his pocket taking full blame in that eventuality.

As it turned out, the note was not needed.

Fate can be strange even in war. When the attack began, Rommel was home with his family since he never thought the allies would choose that day or that beach to invade.

Hitler was in a rage over having his forces torn apart by the surprise invasion and his faith in Field Marshall Rommel crumbled to a point where he later had the distinguished Rommel put to death, while telling the German people he died on the field of battle.

The real truth emerged after the war, which revealed how Rommel opposed the evil Hitler was engaged in, causing the deaths of thousands in concentration camps. Rommel had concluded that he was on the wrong side of history.

As a result of the war and the effect it was having around the world, Bermuda also experienced very tough times, with major shortages of food and other necessities. I recall concerns at the Central School, now Victor Scott, since German submarines and aircraft were active in the Atlantic.

There were even air raid drills at the school.

It all seems so far away now but I was in Florida several years ago and spotted a group of airmen at a hotel attached to a shopping mall.

Their uniforms were the type I had seen on photos from accounts of Allied bombing missions over Germany. I could not resist the opportunity to have a word with them and they were more than receptive.

They indicated that they were having a reunion to remember their fallen friends. They were quick to point out that the real heroes were the ones who never returned.

One pilot said he would send me something that I might find interesting. Weeks later I received the image of a B24 bomber in flames going down over Lugo, Italy.

The note with the photo stated that apart from one man who managed to escape, ten of the crew were lost. The airman suffered two broken legs and was captured.

After the war, he returned to the United States and died not too long before that reunion.

Sometimes when we reflect on war, large numbers obscure the personal sacrifice by so many who gave their all to bring about a better world.

The Normandy invasion known as D-Day will always be one of those moments in history that will be significant because of the great sacrifice by so many, who now rest beneath the ocean and in fields.

They gave so that others can have freedom.

Thousands visit those beaches of Normandy each year to remember a battle that altered history.

They stand with their private thoughts as the timeless waves gently embrace the land.

Gen Eisenhower, who later became president of the United States, knew the weight of his decision. He told troops before the event that in war there was always somebody who never went home.

Even to this day the world still faces danger from people who want to kill others to promote their ideology of life on Earth. In other words, the battle between good and evil is far from over.