Ship of Fools: D-Day

Thread: D-Day Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

I just wanted to acknowledge the commemoration today of the Normandy landings 70 years ago.

My dear dad was there, a red beret parachuted down at Pegasus Bridge. He was one of those old soldiers who never spoke about it. We’ve found out some stuff since from a book about D-Day: to us it was like an adventure tale, to him it was when he shot other young lads, just the same as him.

He would have hated today. But I’m glad it’s not forgotten.

M.

Sorry, I meant to post this in All Saints - perhaps a friendly host would move it?

[ 06. June 2014, 10:59: Message edited by: M. ]

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

Yes, I think AS would be the better venue.

Firenze
Multi-purpose Host

Posted by TheAlethiophile (# 16870) on :

My grandfather landed on the beaches that day. We only know that from his military record. He never spoke of what happened.

One can barely imagine the horror of what happened that ended the lives of so many and marked forever the minds of those who survived.

To comrades fallen that day, alive today and those who have fallen asleep between, today we salute you. And we will never allow your sacrifice to be forgotten. [Votive]

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

If anyone is going to Normandy and wants to catch up on D-Day then I recommend Arromanches. It's central to the invasion beaches and in addition to the remains of a Mulberry Harbour there is at least one excellent museum and the town itself is a pleasant place too.

I was especially touched yesterday when Radio 4Extra repeated programs from the 60th anniversary. Many of these featured veterans of the Normandy campaign and after almost every program there were announcements that major this or corporal that, had died since 2004. We will have lost all the living links with D-Day before much longer.

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :

[Votive]

Posted by Macarius (# 15477) on :

[Votive]

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :

Lest we forget. [Votive]

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :

[Votive]

We will remember them.

Posted by Badger Lady (# 13453) on :

[Votive]

We will remember them.

My grandfather was evacuated from Dunkirk which he never spoke about. He had a role in the planning for D-day (he was an engineer) but on the Day itself remained safely on the UK side of Chanel.

My favourite story from the day has to be this one

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Badger Lady:
My favourite story from the day has to be this one

Way to go, Mr. Jordan! [Overused]

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :

Badger lady:

quote:
safely on the UK side of Chanel.

Is the UK side the one with the blander perfume?

Posted by rolyn (# 16840) on :

I got home and just flicked the news on to catch a bit of the atmosphere . Surprised to find myself welling up a bit at the sight of a veteran who was moved to tears along with a French member of the public .

My partner's father ,(happily still with us) , was a RN coxswain for a landing craft delivering infantry to one of the beaches on June 6th 1944 .
Likewise he doesn't say an awful lot about it . One thing that seems to have stuck in his mind though was the sound of the infantry leader's voice psyching up the men moments before the ramp was dropped .

Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :

[Votive]

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