On this day so began the inevitable end of a tyranny god bless all those souls that gave everything to the cause you have my unflinching gratitude.
(We are on WST so a bit before you chaps)
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On this day so began the inevitable end of a tyranny god bless all those souls that gave everything to the cause you have my unflinching gratitude.
(We are on WST so a bit before you chaps)
My dad went ashore at Juno beach.
My dad jumped with the 1st Bn. 506th PIR, 101st ABN on this day. He was medevacked out of Utah beach three days later. He did not return to the war zone until December. The 1st Bn had nearly 50% casualties in the first three days of combat, including their Battalion Commander.
My dad never talked of those 3 days.
BEAR
You can read of the 1st Bn. combat during D-Day in D.R Burgett's excellent book "CURRAHEE".
When I was reading this book in 1968, my dad saw the title and asked about the book. He simply said, "Yeah, I was with them."
My Uncle went ashore among the first wave on Sword Beach and fought right through to Germany (North Africa and Italy Campaigns under his belt, before being sent home with injuries in 43, recovered then back into the fight! ), infantry Sergeant with the Lancashire regiment, he was as hard they come and saw way more action than any one man should, he very rarely talked about it...
I recall a picture of him on D Day plus 2 with his mate, both smoking woodbines (a habit he kept for life) steel helmets on, Mk2 Sten in one hand and a bottle of French wine in the other, now sadly lost in the family somewhere...
Thanks to all that keep these memories alive and pass to those who are not taught in school!
This is my cousin...Sergie Zuke. He was born in Russia, emigrated to the U.S. and served in the 4th Infantry Division. He landed with the first wave on Utah beach, and was killed 19 days later during the fighting for Cherbourg on June 25th, 1944. My daughter and I are doing a "Band of Brothers" Tour of Normandy, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany and Austria at the end of August. The plan is to personally visit his gravestone.
Thanks for reading.
Mike
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Originally Posted by 82Trooper
I'm sure you will find it a truly moving and amazing experience Mike, I spent a week with a good friend doing the invasion coast, some amazing world class museums and absolutely immaculate grave yards that bring a tear to your eye as the high human cost in young lives of Overlord, is graphically brought home to you like a punch in the stomach!
I spent a good few hours wandering around the Brittany American Graveyard, with its rows of immaculate crosses and memorials to 8th air force crews around the walls...
I forgot to mention my other family D-day connection, my Uncle Jack (DFC and bar), RAF Bomber Command, he carried out numerous missions in support of D day and the break out as Bomber command switched from strategic to tactical targets in support of the operation.
He was in the famous 460 Squadron (RAAF) and few 25 missions with them.
One intriguing entry in log book that I never got to the bottom of was a particular mission "Attacked Gestapo HQ following ultimatum" a curious one for a Bomber Command Lancaster squadron... This was just prior to D Day from memory...
That day and the night before, fifty-four year-old Eisenhower was a man with a lot on his mind. The night before, he wrote a statement to give to the press in case things didn't work out, and placed it in his wallet:"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops.. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."It's telling to see today where Eisenhower made changes in his note. He crossed out "This particular operation" to write "My decision to attack," which is emphatic and personal.
And he drew a long, strong line under "mine alone."
Excerpted from NPR, HERE.
The fact that he prepared to take all responsibility and blame has always touched me deeply. I think about it every year at this time.
Bob
If only we had leaders that 'OWN THE PROBLEM' these days, instead of the lack lustre weasels we have leading all parties across the West today...Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Womack
None of them could hold a candle to the likes of Eisenhower
Trooper enjoy the trip , i am looking into doing a galllipoli trip next year , for Anzac Day . I have various relatives buried there from across our family . I would love to ge to YPRE in France as i have 2 relatives buried there one in an marked grave and hte other was never found .as for Ww 2 relatives i have a VC winner who’s mother was my grandmothers sister ( EDmonson) and then w ehave some in the Thai Burma railway and another in the battle of Singapore on the HMAS Perth ( the last survivor just passed away this past month) .pay respect to them all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 82Trooper