French President Francois Hollande has addressed World War II veterans and world leaders commemorating the 70th anniversary of the start of the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany.

D-Day was a turning point in the war, driving towards Hitler’s stronghold in Berlin as Soviet troops swept in from the east.

“I must underline the decisive contribution of the people from what we called the Soviet Union. We also have to recognise what those people did for our own liberty, for the victory against Nazism,” said Hollande at the ceremonial event at Ousiterham on “Sword Beach.”

Many WWII veterans who attended the D-Day commemorations said they were touched by occasion.

Clifton John Langeard, 92, a Royal Marine veteran, said he felt like a “film star” due to all the attention at the ceremony.

One hundred and fifty thousand troops took part in the operation on June 6, 1944 which was history’s biggest amphibious invasion.