69 years ago thousands of brave men landed on the Normandy Beaches. Others served in the sky or on the sea. 12 Nations took part on the allied side. A salute to those who survived and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom
I know where my father was 69 years ago right now (Omaha Beach), and what he was doing (surviving). He made it thru the war to 1998. RIP, Dad. You done good. DaveBj
Here are Mr. Marion's recollections of the day, as the 30th Recon was preparing to leave Southhampton in a few days. They arrived in Southhampton on the 6th. The two day delay in the start of the landings resulted in his unit running out of food while they were at Slough and they had to resort to scrounging. They found a supply of canned English peas that they ate for a day or two. The "first day" he mentioned in the second section was the Sixth of June. His unit (30th Recon of the 30th ID) was supposed to cross the channel on the 8th, but did not make the journey until the 10th. They never made it to Carentan. Airborne got that job.
Thank you, Skipper for this reminder. I would urge people everywhere to remember, as well, the 12,000 + French civilians who lost their lives on D Day. They could not be warned for security reasons . To visit the Normandy beaches is a moving experience. Gaines PS, My apologies, I did know the number of civilians killed I posted was over the invasion and occupation of the Cotentin Peninsula and not just D Day. Still a large lost and does not include wounded and disruption of their lives such as housing and work. Certain my intent was to expand the though and not to take away from the sailors, soldiers nor airman. GB
Hopefully, many citizens of the USA and Great Britain will take a second and remember the sacrifices of those then-young men almost 70 years ago. However, one other country made significant sacrifices that day--France. Roughly 1,500 French civilians died that day, however that's not the whole story. Somewhere around 10 times that number were killed in the Normandy battles and thousands more French lives were lost in the air campaign leading up to D-Day. Most of the French casualties were caused by air power. Caen jumps to mind here but many other villages and towns were destroyed, their only crime being that they were cross-road towns and the Allies wanted to disrupt and interdict as much German military traffic as possible. Of course the ground fighting took its toll too since the Germans used the sturdy Norman villages as strong-points. Some areas of Normandy were so devastated by the campaign they were uninhabitable for a decade or more. We Americans, Brits, and yes, Germans weren't the only ones in Normandy.
I visited Sword Beach about 8 years ago - I will go back and spend more time there and around Hauger in the next year or two. Remembering all those who were involved. Thank you.
We remember them and the countless other people from all parts of the globe who took part. Thank you.
The free world certainly owes a lot to these men who made the bulk of the landings but let us not forget other countries who took part in D-Day (Australia, Canada Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, France, Norway Poland and Luxembourg etc..) some examples or less known facts : The Dutch : Irene Brigade 3000 men The French Commando Kieffer and what is less known airborne troops which landed in Britanny to make a diversion . 4th special airservice regiment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Samwest the first casualty at 00.40 was an airborne soldier from this unit and possibly makes him the first victim of D-Day.
My thoughts for today go to all casualties but especially one who could well be the first Overlord casualty of June 6th 1944 4th SAS Caporal Emile Bouetard fell at 00.40 at Plumelec, Britanny (operation Dingson) which was an airborne diversion just hours before the Normandy landings. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emile_Bou%C3%A9tard this man was captured by Ostlegionen soldiers and murdered with a bullet in the head
I posted this in another forum: "None of us would be enjoying our lives as free Americans without the sacrifices of the WWII generation. They allowed me to be blessed for 70 years of growing up and living as a Free American. I thank God every night for those vets!"
I put these threads together since they deal with the same thing. I was sad to notice that the anniversary of D-Day was not mentioned on the news today, For all those who served, a most hearty "Thank you". We appreciate what you did. I came across these articles in my reading of today's paper. There are others online. http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20130606_Heirs_keeping_the_D-Day_stories_alive.html http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20130606_Ike_s_D-Day_words_draw_new_notice.html http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/music/20130606_As_veterans__numbers_dwindle__memories_of_D-Day_remain_vivid.html
British tv has been covering it quite well. One them ran "live" coverage of the events from June 5th, having identified several participants from archive footage and followed their stories through the day. Fascinating.
I really have to dig into these Commando operation in Britanny . The droppings in Normandy are very famous due to Saint Mere and films etc.. but the SAS Britanny ones were just as dangerous and are often forgotten because the men were dropped further from the beaches.
DaveBj, My father was there as well, and doing the same thing. We are both very lucky. I am sorry you lost your father, I am extraordinarily lucky to still have my dad with me at the age of 92. Clem
http://youtu.be/62KHQ8oJqpg Good BBC dramaisation of the day...few years old...British centric but enough on Americans and Germans. 5 Episodes...first over an hour..the other 4 of 13 minutes each..Worth a watch by any members from any country...The stress and strain on Ottaway is pallpable..
Thanks for that video - I hadn't seen it before. I was waiting for the bit where the Commando, when asked about Montgomery by Rommel, says that if he waits he'll be able to ask him himself. I always thought it was darned decent of Rommel to keep his word regarding the safety of our lad. Heck, that was just Part One ... hope I can find the rest.
Love Rommel's comment...they are coming... You should get the other episodes in the side bar if you view it on you tube.
