France and US mark D-Day anniversary

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates and his French counterpart were today marking the 63rd anniversary of the D-Day landings that turned the tide of the Second World War.

Mr Gates was to attend the anniversary ceremony and dedication of a visitor's centre at the Normandy American Cemetery, the burial ground for 9,387 war dead, most of whom lost their lives in the June 6, 1944 landings and subsequent operations.