'Normandy Invaded' screamed the headline.
'Tommies and Canadians win two beaches'.
The late edition of the Manchester Evening News of June 6, 1944, reported D-Day with a triumphant tone.
And fascinating cuttings revealed by the British Newspaper Archive detail Prime Minister Winston Churchill's first address to the Commons on the invasion of Europe.
He spoke of an 'immense armada' and of 'complete unity' throughout the Allied forces.
"So far, the commanders who are engaged report that everything is proceeding according to plan - and what a plan!"
Troops had received 'stirring orders' before leaving for France, we reported, and a correspondent described bombers 'roaring' over London giving the public 'the first hint that big events were under way'.
Our front page story 75 years ago read: "The invasion of Europe started at 6am today when an Allied Army group began landing in Normandy.
"Shortly afterwards a communique, numbered 1, was issued by Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force.
It said: "Under the command of General Eisenhower Allied naval forces, supported by strong air forces, began landing Allied armies on the northern coast of France."
The story went on: "Later an official statement said that British, Canadian, and US forces landed in Normandy between 6am and 8.15am, while airborne landings were carried out and a naval bombardment went on 'in the manner planned'.
"US battle ships taking part.
"First reports of actual successes came in a cable 'British and Canadians have secured beachheads at least at two points, and have dug in'.
"Then the Prime Minister made a statement to a cheering House of Commons.
"Mr Churchill said 'An immense armada of upwards of 4,000 ships, with several thousand smaller craft, have crossed the Channel.
"Massed airborne landings have been successfully effected behind the enemy's lines. The landings on the beaches are proceeding at various points at the present time.
"The fire of the shore batteries has been largely quelled. The obstacles which were constructed in the sea have not proved so difficult as was apprehended.
"The Anglo-American Allies are sustained by about 11,000 first-line aircraft, which can be drawn upon as may be needed for the purposes of the battle.
"There are already hopes that actual tactical surprise has been attained, and we hope to furnish the enemy with a succession of surprises during the course of the fighting. The battle which is now beginning will grow constantly in scale and in intensity for many weeks to come, and I shall not attempt to speculate on its course.
"But this I may say.
"Complete unity prevails throughout the Allied armies.
"There is a brotherhood in arms between us and our friends in the US.
"The ardour and spirit of the troops, as I saw them myself embarking in these last few days, was splendid.
"Nothing that equipment, science, and forethought can do has been neglected, and the whole process of opening this great new front will be pursued with the utmost resolution.
"So far, the commanders who are engaged report that everything is proceeding according to plan - and what a plan!"
The King was said to be preparing to broadcast to the nation at 9pm.
General Eisenhower, who was in command of Operation Neptune, was reported as saying: "All patriotic men and women have their part to play in the achievement of final victory."
There was also a piece on General Montgomery, who was said to be 'leading the attack' and in charge of the army group leading the operation.
A correspondent in France said: "Allied bombers roaring over London at dawn gave Londoners the first hint that big events were under way.
"The machines passed over the capital in constant procession heading south and almost simultaneously the BBC's transmissions began to warn French people to get away from coastal areas and to avoid roads, railways and bridges."
Troops had received 'stirring orders' before leaving for France, we reported.
"Plans had been made to the last detail for one of the greatest events in history.
"Little more than four years after the remnants of a British Army, battle stained and weary, were snatched from destruction at Dunkirk, they returned to Europe ten times more numerous, armed with the weapons they then lacked."
