The annual ceremony commemorates the efforts and sacrifices of the 10,000 RAAF aircrew and ground staff who served in the Royal Air Force’s Bomber Command during the Second World War. The Czech Ambassador laid a wreath in the colours of the Czech tricolour at the memorial, paying tribute to these heroes.

This year, we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings on 6th June 1944. D-Day and the subsequent Battle of Normandy marked a crucial step towards the liberation of Europe by the Allies from Nazi occupation. D-Day was the culmination of years of planning and preparation, involving the largest armada of ships assembled and more than 10,000 support aircraft. Australians played a small but important role in the large Allied forces. In their honour and in honour of all Australians who served during the war, the Australian War Memorial recognises and remembers their contributions to what was one of the momentous events of the twentieth century.

Flight Lieutenant Herbert "Bert" Adams, a centenarian veteran of the Bomber Command, emphasised in his speech at the ceremony the importance of remembering the sacrifices and achievements of RAAF members. He expressed his pride in meeting the current representatives of the 460th, 462nd, and 464th squadrons, who keep the memories of his comrades alive.

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