My dads unit was due to land on day 1 but for some reason they were put back to day 7 he said that it was still absolute hell trying to get up the beach.
I often think how brave that generation was and selfless in their actions. I would hope so but I'm not sure the generations since would have acted as that generation did.
I have been to Normandy a few times around the anniversary of D-Day. I love the adoration that the veterans receive from the French public of all ages. They are treated like superstars. It's a shame that it isn't repeated to the same extent in this country. We need to cherish those few veterans that are left while they are still around.
My Uncle Den is literally the last man standing from 48 Commando (Juno beach).
He spent his 99th birthday (4 days ago) travelling to the memorial event from his home in France near the Spanish border where he lives with his daughter. (He was in his late 80s when he emigrated).
My Dad was also a Royal Marine, but always said it was his brother who pulled the short straw when it came to their overseas assignments.
Amazing generation. I very recently went to Normandy for the first time and recommend anyone who’s thought they’d like to go to do it. It’s the most moving thing I’ve ever experienced. And take your teenage kids too. I’d like to go back next year and try and trace my grandads tracks who arrived on DDay 2 with the Royal Engineers.
You cannot begin to imagine the tension felt in those vessels as they crossed the Channel. Those brave men knowing they were going to be fighting for their lives, and holding their trust in those above them that were responsible for organising that campaign. What a mammoth undertaking, when you start to think about it, truly unbelieveable to put all that co-ordinated effort together and at the same time keeping it secret from the enemy. We salute them.
I get choked when I try and put into words what those men went through, not just on D-Day but in the coming months fighting through to Berlin. Listen to some of them talk and they speak of the abject frustration of an enemy continuing to fight and cause death and destruction when they were truly beaten. Many times an Allie officer would treat with the Nazi officer of a French/Dutch/Belgian village or town that they had occupied and give them the option to surrender, be fed, taken out of the hellhole, be sensible, save the lives of their men and the buildings of the village and the idiots would refuse and have the place flattened and a brigade killed.
Just to add I was a little disappointed with the tv coverage yesterday, assume next year for the 80th anniversary it will be widely covered. I suppose Harry’s court case and Holly Willoughbys dress are much more important!
Just to add I was a little disappointed with the tv coverage yesterday, assume next year for the 80th anniversary it will be widely covered. I suppose Harry’s court case and Holly Willoughbys dress are much more important!
Next year will be the last big anniversary with D-Day veterans still alive. It will, hopefully, be marked and celebrated accordingly.
I have many military history books, incl some about D Day - one description in one of my books, from a soldier who was in the first wave of British troops really struck me - he was in a County Infantry Regiment - their role was to secure the beach for the second wave - they did so, but it was horrendous on the beach, and they were behind the sea wall cowering from German fire - the second wave came in, and it was Royal Marines - they ran up the beach, and asked this soldier where the Germans were - he gave them a rough description of where he thought they were, but caveats that with something like ‘you don’t want to go up there lads, it’s bloody murder, the machine gun fire is everywhere’ - the Marines said ‘ok thanks’ and promptly climbed over the sea wall and ran towards the Germans, in the face of an incredible amount of firing - 20 mins later the firing stopped, the Marines had routed them
All were very brave men - we have much to thank them for
My Uncle Den is literally the last man standing from 48 Commando (Juno beach).
He spent his 99th birthday (4 days ago) travelling to the memorial event from his home in France near the Spanish border where he lives with his daughter. (He was in his late 80s when he emigrated).
My Dad was also a Royal Marine, but always said it was his brother who pulled the short straw when it came to their overseas assignments.
Tell your Uncle from me, and I’m sure many others here, “Thank you”.
My Uncle Den is literally the last man standing from 48 Commando (Juno beach).
He spent his 99th birthday (4 days ago) travelling to the memorial event from his home in France near the Spanish border where he lives with his daughter. (He was in his late 80s when he emigrated).
My Dad was also a Royal Marine, but always said it was his brother who pulled the short straw when it came to their overseas assignments.
Just to add to this (if interested) there is a podcast on Spotify called 'Last man standing' featuring Den. Unfortunately the sound quality isn't what it could be.
If anyone hasn't done the battlefield tours whether through here or other tours, i thoroughly recommend doing so. Especially the DDay landings and the battle of the Somme.
What those armed forces went through and the sitting ducks they were, when they were running up the beach is so sorrowful.
The American graves at Omaha beach is just incredible not a blade of grass longer than the other. Was also interesting to see naval personnel there that died that day. But was informed some were on the beaches as guides.
My father was a Chief Designer Draughtsman in The Air Ministry……his specialty was steel reinforced concrete construction……he designed steel structure work. He was sent down to Portsmouth to head up a team working on the Mulberry Harbour caissons (Operation Phoenix). I went to Normandy a few years back and there are still some standing……as you can well imagine, I was very touched. And you know, he never once mentioned it…….I only found out from Mum a while after he died……extraordinary. Official Secrets Act I assume.
I’m in Normandy at the mo for the DDay commemorations. Wife’s grandfather died as part of the invasion and is buried in a cemetery called Jerusalem. The locals are having a ceremony there tonight and she is laying a wreath in his memory. The French have never forgotten what these brave men did and the British need to do the same
I’m in Normandy at the mo for the DDay commemorations. Wife’s grandfather died as part of the invasion and is buried in a cemetery called Jerusalem. The locals are having a ceremony there tonight and she is laying a wreath in his memory. The French have never forgotten what these brave men did and the British need to do the same
Jerusalem war cemetary is near Tilly in Normandy where a battle raged for 14 days. Two of the regiments involved were the Sherwood Forresters and the 24th Lancers. The latter regiment was disbanded at Jerusalem crossroads due to the heavy losses with survivors, including my father, going on to join other regiments. There are several of the regiment buried at Jerusalem cemetary
My father was a Chief Designer Draughtsman in The Air Ministry……his specialty was steel reinforced concrete construction……he designed steel structure work. He was sent down to Portsmouth to head up a team working on the Mulberry Harbour caissons (Operation Phoenix). I went to Normandy a few years back and there are still some standing……as you can well imagine, I was very touched. And you know, he never once mentioned it…….I only found out from Mum a while after he died……extraordinary. Official Secrets Act I assume.
Was fascinating to see them still standing particularly as the American ones had long since gone.
I am sure Clive (Se7toSe3) said some of ours were built from concrete that had come from St Pauls Cathedral when it took a hit, maybe mistaken though.
one of those days that if the Allied mission had failed to achieve its goals, the world would probably be a very different place today .. so many brave young men died and so many more lived to tell their tales .. as said, a pivotal day in world history
I’m in Normandy at the mo for the DDay commemorations. Wife’s grandfather died as part of the invasion and is buried in a cemetery called Jerusalem. The locals are having a ceremony there tonight and she is laying a wreath in his memory. The French have never forgotten what these brave men did and the British need to do the same
That's what struck me at Yypes, how the locals hadn't forgotten what others sacrificed for them. To hold a ceremony every evening at the Menin Gate is just remarkable but shows how they too will never forget.
Been surprised reading this how many who have commented didn't come on our trip to Normandy last year.
I’m in Normandy at the mo for the DDay commemorations. Wife’s grandfather died as part of the invasion and is buried in a cemetery called Jerusalem. The locals are having a ceremony there tonight and she is laying a wreath in his memory. The French have never forgotten what these brave men did and the British need to do the same
That's what struck me at Yypes, how the locals hadn't forgotten what others sacrificed for them. To hold a ceremony every evening at the Menin Gate is just remarkable but shows how they too will never forget.
Been surprised reading this how many who have commented didn't come on our trip to Normandy last year.
Would have loved to, but couldn’t make it unfortunately
This is about the 8th time I’ve been out here and been lucky to have met some veterans through these trips. They are so humble about their achievements and rarely want to talk about what they went through other than their mates and the good memories. I’m honoured to attend the Normandy Veterans Association events back in the UK and to help in their fund raising. The recently completed memorial at Ver-Sue-Mer is outstanding
Comments
I would hope so but I'm not sure the generations since would have acted as that generation did.
We need to cherish those few veterans that are left while they are still around.
He spent his 99th birthday (4 days ago) travelling to the memorial event from his home in France near the Spanish border where he lives with his daughter. (He was in his late 80s when he emigrated).
My Dad was also a Royal Marine, but always said it was his brother who pulled the short straw when it came to their overseas assignments.
Greatest generation indeed
All were very brave men - we have much to thank them for
What those armed forces went through and the sitting ducks they were, when they were running up the beach is so sorrowful.
The American graves at Omaha beach is just incredible not a blade of grass longer than the other. Was also interesting to see naval personnel there that died that day. But was informed some were on the beaches as guides.
He was sent down to Portsmouth to head up a team working on the Mulberry Harbour caissons (Operation Phoenix).
I went to Normandy a few years back and there are still some standing……as you can well imagine, I was very touched.
And you know, he never once mentioned it…….I only found out from Mum a while after he died……extraordinary.
Official Secrets Act I assume.
I am sure Clive (Se7toSe3) said some of ours were built from concrete that had come from St Pauls Cathedral when it took a hit, maybe mistaken though.
Been surprised reading this how many who have commented didn't come on our trip to Normandy last year.