BBCi invites veterans to take part in the People's War

LONDON – The BBC's web initiative inviting war veterans and their families to tell their stories in an attempt to create a personal history of World War Two launches today, the anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Called the People's War, the web effort comes almost sixty years after the end of one of Europe's bloodiest conflicts. It is intended that the website will provide a blank canvas for first-hand memories and those stories related by families telling what their parents and grandparents did during the wartime years.

Users are being invited to share memories across a wide-range of topics: from life as an evacuee and coping with rationing, through to taking part in the D-Day landings.

The project aims to fill the gaps left between the official records and personal experience to create a lasting legacy for future generations.

Liz Cleaver, controller of BBCi Factual and Learning, said: "The idea for People's War came from the realisation that as the survivors of the Second World War get ever fewer, there is a great need for their children, and grand-children to find out what they did, where they served, and what really happened to them.

"People's War will bring together these stories to interweave military history with personal history and help provide the nation with some of the answers they deserve."

To put the project together the BBC has been working with museums and military networks across the UK to create a framework on which contributors can hang their stories.

Ashley Highfield, BBC director of new media and technology, said: "The BBCi website is uniquely placed to undertake this huge task providing a national archive of life during World War II in a modern and relevant way, and giving a voice to everyone who experienced life during such a crucial period of modern history."

Initially the site will have a very simple navigational structure. Users will be able to choose to go to the army, navy, airforce or homefront areas. However as more and more material is contributed these will sub-divide into particular units: regiments, ships or squadrons as well as other homefront subject areas.

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