D-Day landing craft spotted on British beach before returning to Normandy for 80th anniversary

“It’s fantastic! I think the Normandy landings are a crucial part of our history,” said Kirk Paton, from Peterborough.

“It’s a bit of nostalgia, but the men that died going on the beaches, it’s just a pity they couldn't be here to see it,” said Brian Saunders, from Cambridge.

“The concept of it being so symbolic, going back to where it came from, teaches our youngsters how England fought for its country,” said Zunaira Baig who was visiting the seaside with her family.

Lincolnshire fundraiser, Harold Payne, 84, from Holbeach, has spent around £70,000 on the American made war-machine in recent years, preserving it for generations to come.

He said, “I’ve put all new lights on it, a new engine in it. It’s in good nick.”

“I put her in gear and away she went like she did in 1944,” he added.

Approximately 20,000 of the DUKW trucks, which were instrumental in the D-Day landings, were made for use across the Second World War.

The four letters D.U.K.W indicate the specifications of the vehicle.

Thousands of military vehicles are expected to be brought back to Normandy by collectors for the anniversary.

Simon Bromley, General Secretary of the Military Vehicle Trust, said the DUKW is a “tremendous vehicle.”

“Hitler expected an attack on a harbour. It negated the need for any formal port facility meaning they could unload ships where there was no harbour.”

“As long as there was a beach, they could get stores, equipment and soldiers anywhere on the Normandy coastline.”

Simon, 74, from Blackburn who's owned three DUKWs in his lifetime, says you can “count on one hand” the number of commercially used DUKWs in Britain with another 20 “in enthusiasts' hands.”

One of the amphibious DUKW vehicles recently fetched £50,000 at auction.

Harold says he’ll invite any veterans returning to Normandy onto the craft for a trip during the D-Day commemorations.

He’ll also release poppies and red roses into the channel to honour the sacrifice made by the 22,000 allied troops who died during the Normandy campaign.

Owner of the Anglia Motel along the A17 in Lincolnshire, Harold has spent decades of his life helping Second World War veterans make the trip to Normandy, but sadly all the ones he knows have now died.

The 80th anniversary is expected to be the final major gathering for D-Day veterans from across the world.