discussion D-Day.

[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.

We were totally, in physical terms, alone Tim.

However we had the Royal Navy. Hitler knew that as the brick wall he could not penetrate. At that time the greatest & strongest sea going nation.

The sea our fortress.

Laurie

I knew it would come in handy one day. I had to study (under duress) Shakespeare's Richard the 2nd for my GEC literature.

This precious stone set in the silver sea, Which serves it in the office of a wall Or as a moat defensive to a house, Against the envy of less happier lands,--This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.”

 

[Tim Marlow]

Tim,
To paraphrase a memorial to Christopher Wren, when in any military cemetery ' If you desire a monument, look around you'. I have never failed to be moved to tears by the sheer scale, wantonness and stupidity of the political will to enforce their agendas at the cost of their youth and talent. All are equal when laid below.

Absolutely!

 

[Airborne01]

I am saddened to think we (as a nation) are now one of the principal global pariahs; all we have achieved, and the many unilateral benefits we have bestowed. are being subsumed to an adulterated perception. I don't want this thread to deviate from it's original intention and I apologise if I've been instrumental in that; it's only that I feel deeply the sacrifices our proud nations have made are in danger of being whitewashed out of history.
Steve

 

[Tim Marlow]

Just seen a news item that has left me a little perplexed......a children’s play area has just been unveiled in Gloucester that includes a replica Horsa glider for the kids to play on, apparently as a memorial to the glider pilots that were trained in the area....just seems a little surreal to me.

 

[Airborne01]

Just seen a news item that has left me a little perplexed......a children’s play area has just been unveiled in Gloucester that includes a replica Horsa glider for the kids to play on, apparently as a memorial to the glider pilots that were trained in the area....just seems a little surreal to me.

No sense of perspective - my instincts say ' Local politicians on a (good boy, choc drop!) exercise sadly :sad:

 

[spanner570]

Jeez, and all I wanted to do was simply remember all the brave lads who gave their lives this day in 1944.....

 

[Lee Drennen]

Jeez, and all I wanted to do was simply remember all the brave lads who gave their lives this day in 1944.....

Me too 570

 

[rtfoe]

Malaya's contribution to WW2 besides helping Force 136 against the Japanese were two pilots, Cyril and Henry Talalla brothers that were involved with D-Day. Henry was killed in action flying Typhoons covering the Carpiquet bombings and Cyril continued his flying career in commercial aviation after the war. I built a Typhoon from Henry's squadron after finding out about their story.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Guest]

For me, we all have different perspectives, I thought the Horsa replica in the chirdren's playground was OK.

Hopefully parents will tell their kids about that Horsa & what our brave fellow men did their bravery in France to secure the eastern perimeter of the canal.
Seems a an excellent way of teaching history. Love to see a Spitfire as well. Hope also the teachers will play their part in imparting the history of the Horsa.

I know as a kid at school in 1943 all the boys rocketed around the play area with arms flung out pretending to be Spitfires & Hurricanes.
All firing their pretend weapons. That has stuck with me as a reminder of all the airman who flew to defend us.

We also learnt that those Spits & Hurris, when the siren went to take cover in the school shelters, were up there with their pilots to protect us.
How did we know that cos our teachers told us.

I do believe it is most important to show the past. Our great history in being the only nation left in Europe ( Channel Isles as well ) between sanity & the Nazi scourge. That as a nation we stand for peace & fairness in this world. We are not perfect by any means but we are, in my opinion, a pretty good lot in that respect.

Like to add that I am English but now live in Jersey. Once Hitler started his assault a great majority of families in the Channel Isles left for England. The majority of the men joined the forces & fought for Britian & the British Isles..

There are two terrific books one written by a Guernsey man who flew Wellingtons & describes his time in Italy. The other a Jerseyman who describes his time in his mortar platoon in Normandy.

Laurie

Gee my problem i cannot stop once I get going.

 

[Lee Drennen]

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

 

[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.