Lord Ashcroft to Appear in New D-Day Documentary

LONDON, June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Lord Ashcroft, the author of three acclaimed books on gallantry, is to appear in a new documentary about the D-Day landings to be screened this weekend.

The programme, made by independent producers Dangerous, gives a fascinating insight into what went on in the minds of the British, American and other Allied troops who took part in the landings aimed at liberating, first German-occupied France and, later, the rest of Western Europe.

The programme looks closely at the brave but unorthodox tactics that were used during the 12-hour battle for Omaha Beach. Stunning graphics and 3-D images present a soldier's eye view of the battle for Omaha Beach and beyond, and portray the life-or-death reality of an operation - the D-Day landings - that changed the course of history.

Lord Ashcroft is one of a number of contributors, including Second World War veterans, to a gripping documentary Surviving D-Day, which will be shown on the Discovery History channel on Sunday (June 12) at 10pm. He travelled to Omaha Beach in Normandy to be interviewed for the documentary.

Lord Ashcroft's father and other officers were told to expect 75 per cent casualties - dead and wounded - as they landed on the Normandy beaches. In fact Lieutenant Ashcroft's CO, a Colonel, was shot dead at his side. After Lieutenant Ashcroft was wounded, he fought on until ordered from the battlefield.

Lord Ashcroft was born the year after the end of the Second World War and as a boy developed a fascination with bravery. This interest later transformed itself into a passion for gallantry medals and he built up the world's largest collection of VCs, which are now exhibited at the gallery in his name at the Imperial War Museum.

For more information on Lord Ashcroft visit: http://www.lordashcroft.com/aboutmichael.html
His website address is: http://www.lordashcroft.com
For the Lord Ashcroft Gallery :http://www.iwm.org.uk/upload/package/184/index.html 
For more information on the Lord Ashcroft Foundation: http://www.michaelashcroftfoundation.com/

Lord Ashcroft's three books on gallantry are:
Victoria Cross Heroes http://www.victoriacrossheroes.com
Special Forces Heroeshttp://www.specialforcesheroes.com
George Cross Heroes http://www.georgecrossheroes.com

Contact for Lord Ashcroft: Angela Entwistle
    T +44(0)20-7248-6700
    M +44(0)7802-264-769
    E angelaent@aol.com