On Sunday 7 June 2026, a commemorative plaque will be unveiled in Arromanches-les-Bains in honour of the Dutch contribution to D-Day. With this plaque, the efforts of the Dutch Merchant Navy, the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Naval Air Service will, for the first time, receive a permanent and visible recognition at one of the most historic locations of the allied invasion of 1944.
During the operations Neptune and Overlord, Dutch maritime units played an important role in the liberation of Western Europe. Dutch merchant ships transported troops, vehicles, fuel, ammunition and other essential supplies to the Normandy coast. In total, more than one hundred Dutch vessels were deployed in the operations around Normandy. In addition, the Dutch gunboats HNLMS Flores and HNLMS Soemba, internationally known as The Terrible Twins, provided fire support during the landings. From the air, 320 Squadron of the Naval Air Service made a significant contribution with attack missions in support of the allied forces.
Despite this extensive Dutch involvement, a visible recognition in Arromanches-les-Bains had been lacking until now, even though it was here that the allied forces, with the help of Dutch tugs, constructed an artificial harbour that was crucial for the continued supply of the invasion troops.
Restoring honour after more than eighty years
The ceremony will take place on Sunday 7 June 2026 from 13:30 to 14:30 near the Musée du Débarquement in Arromanches-les-Bains. The unveiling will be carried out by John Vet, grandson of Teun Vet, captain of the legendary tug Zwarte Zee, together with Commodore Frank Lenssen of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The ceremony will bring together representatives of the Merchant Navy, the Ministry of Defence, the Netherlands Veterans Institute, the Royal Netherlands Navy, the National Veterans Platform and the Chapter of the Military Order of William, as well as local authorities and relatives of merchant navy veterans.
Speakers during the ceremony are:
- Commodore Lenssen
- Brigadier General Paul Hoefsloot, director and board member of the Netherlands Veterans Institute
- Hubert Nijgh, chairman of the Merchant Navy Personnel 1940–1945 Foundation
The plaque is an initiative of the Merchant Navy Personnel 1940–1945 Foundation, which is committed to preserving the memory of the Dutch merchant navy during the Second World War.
Stories of courage and sacrifice
The tug Zwarte Zee carried out important rescue and towing operations during the second world war under severe wartime conditions. It brought damaged ships to safety, survived multiple attacks and was deployed during D-Day.
The coaster Actinia also sailed towards the French coast. The ship lay at anchor off Omaha Beach on 9 June 1944. Shortly after midnight, it was attacked by a German aircraft. During the attack, seaman Cornelis van der Toorn and three American servicemen were killed, while 23 others were wounded. Despite heavy damage, the ship remained operational for the Allied supply effort in Normandy.
Giving credit where credit is due
With the unveiling of this plaque, the Dutch who took part in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day itself will finally receive lasting and visible recognition. Their contribution to the liberation of Europe was considerable, but remained relatively unknown for a long time. Giving credit where credit is due.
Stichting Koopvaardijpersoneel 1940 - 1945
Interested to learn more about the achievements, bravery, and hardships of Dutch merchant seafarers during the Second World War? Visit the website of Stichting Koopvaardijpersoneel 1940 - 1945