A French Jewish group is helping organize a commemoration for 149 Jews who died during the U.S. invasion of Normandy 70 years ago.

The event is planned for June 8, two days after the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the first landing by American troops in France. It will feature a collective Kaddish prayer for 149 Jewish soldiers who died there, the CRIF umbrella group of French Jewish communities said in a statement on its website.

The ceremony is planned for the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer.

 Recent research by the U.S. National D-Day Memorial Foundation recorded 2,499 American D-Day fatalities and 1,914 from the other Allied nations. The invasion went on for weeks, exacting heavy casualties on all sides.

More than 110,000 soldiers died at Normandy, including 77,866 who fought for Nazi Germany, 9,386 Americans and 17,769 British. The battle was one of the largest amphibious landings in human history, ending in Hitler’s defeat almost a full year later.   — jta