Two men claim to be little boy in mystery 1940s photo

The family of Tilden, a US soldier who took part in the Calvados landings on June 6 1944, launched an appeal in French newspaper La Manche Libre, to find the small blond child in the photo, but eagle-eyed commenters have made two separate claims on the identity of the little boy question.

Several internet users believe the boy is Gérard Poincheval from Bessin, including one claiming to be his son.

“We have compared photos [from the period] and this is surely my father Gérard Poincheval,” the man told La Manche Libre.

Another comment read: “It is Gérard Poincheval, who lives in Saint-Martin-des-Entrées. He remembers this unforgettable moment.”

However, another user claims that the boy is Marcel Castel, from near Perpignan.

“The little boy in the photo with Fred Linden is Marcel Castel,” the comment reads. “At present, he lives near Perpignan and gave me permission to get in touch with you. I am his wife’s nurse, and there is a copy of the photo in the dining room [of their house].”

With both men claiming to be the boy in question, the mystery continues...