A weather report and making history

European foothold

Fri Jan 12 2024 - 00:03

Sir, – I read with interest the obituary of Maureen Flavin, whose weather reports as a postmistress at Blacksod were so important to the D-Day landings in June 1944 (“Blacksod postmistress whose weather report changed the course of history”, Obituaries, January 10th).

As a small point, June 6th, 1944, did not represent the Allies “gaining a foothold on the European mainland”. Allied forces had successfully invaded mainland Italy in September 1943. In addition, Soviet forces had been pushing westwards, also since autumn 1943. – Yours, etc,

RICHARD BENIFER,

King’s Lynn,