D-Day.

[Jim R]

Back in 1972 I started my first job as a new teacher. The head of the school had been part of the D-Day landings. He drove a truck. He was a fantastic guy and we became friends despite our differences in age and seniority. Many evenings spent in the local pub listening to his stories. Strange thing was he spoke readily of the comradeship and the light hearted moments but rarely spoke of the bravery and the fear. We owe a lot to all those who saw it as their duty to ensure my generation could live free.
Jim

[Guest]

Back in 1972 I started my first job as a new teacher. The head of the school had been part of the D-Day landings. He drove a truck. He was a fantastic guy and we became friends despite our differences in age and seniority. Many evenings spent in the local pub listening to his stories. Strange thing was he spoke readily of the comradeship and the light hearted moments but rarely spoke of the bravery and the fear. We owe a lot to all those who saw it as their duty to ensure my generation could live free.
Jim

Totally agree Jim.

To be remembered those back home the mothers wives |& children. those older children knew what was going on.

The fear back home must have been much as the fear of those taking part in the landings. Those people back home had no idea of
what was going on& how their dear ones were.

Laurie

[Guest]

Well my thread went a totally different way. Was hoping to stick to subject but it didn’t. D-Day is over now and if the mods could kindly turn off the comment reply button I would appreciate it

Mmm. Those lads in Normandy & through out WW11 maintained our freedom of speech.

Never ever curtail it.

Let us keep it that way. Better as Winston said "Jaw jaw jaw is better than war war war".

Laurie

[Guest]

I never have thought we were left alone Laurie. Britain became the true league of nations throughout the war. As each smaller or less fortunate nation was conquered the remnants of their military forces came to us to continue the fight, and we always had the commonwealth nations along side us. As other nations came in as allies they too fought from our shores.

Next time you visit a CWGC cemetery look around you. Commonwealth nation casualties have the same headstone shape, and they will probably all be represented. The many others you will see buried are from most nations of the earth. Each has its own particular headstone shape, some of which I’ve illustrated above.

The true legacy of the CWGC is that all under their care are treated with the same respect, regardless of rank, wealth, nationality or religion. This includes the Germans that are frequently buried alongside allied casualties. In Laurie’s aerial picture one of those blocks of headstones on the right is for German casualties, by the way.

Quite right Tim agree in entirety never left alone we had many friends. The Commonwealth, a superb response.
They were there from the beginning to the end. No waiting on the side lines. As one the world to day has them to thank.

They were on the right of the line

But I did qualify. We were physically after the capitulation of France totally very desperately alone.

Desperately out numbered in the air & on the ground. Only the sea, as Shakespeare's moat, & Royal Navy provided that absolute brick wall.

We also had the essential Winston S C.

However the only part of the British Isles Hitler managed to occupy was the Channel Isles. Alderney was
totally de-populated before the Naziz got there. Much respect..

Laurie

To explain. Right of the Line.. The best in British battle order were known as those on the right of the line.
They lead as did the Commonwealth. No hesitation, no standing waiting, they lead the world. Absolutely Superb.

They arrived on our door step in the nick of time.