Sword Beach to Bremen., A Veterans tale. Sapper

Ive never actually thought of it that way thanks sapper.

 

I read this thread recently and now I would like to add some of my thoughts.
There are many first hand accounts from people that lived, and some that died, in WW2 in books and on the internet but this one is something special. I don’t know why, maybe because it seems like You are telling the story directly to us face to face. Added bonus is that You are British. I respect the British because I think that they give the most in that war and they also lost the most.

When I was in the army I was trained as a “pioneer” – our term for sapper, and I learned most of the things that You were doing. Still I can’t say I can imagine what it was like to do that under fire.

Thank You very much for Your time and all the effort.

From Slovenia

Rudi

 

HI Rudi Cheers mate.

What ever is this posted at the bottom of the last page about Hitler????
Cheers
Sapper

 

I followed the link Brian and some fool has posted a little tribute to Hitler on another site.

Someone else, who is no fool, has posted a link to your story with these words:

Which sounds like a damn good argument to me.

Strange name for a website I agree but your story is being used to counter an idiot.
The forum automatically lists other sites who link to here.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Adam.

 

and I see that over 90% of the members have some pretty severe moronic issues

 

Thanks Friends!
sapper

 

Wow! Your story was great! Clearly you deserve gratitude and then SOME. I owe you thanks and to the rest of the men and woman who've served there countries to fight for a cause. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being so open about the subject.

 

Sapper

Please continue your story. While there may be horrific details in it, the fact of the matter is it did indeed happen and you were in the middle of it. Our WWII veterans are quickly leaving us and in my opinion it is imperative that their stories be told for history and posterity. Young people need to understand through first hand renditions such as yours, the sacrifices that were made by so many to preserve the rights and freedoms we all enjoy today. Keep up your wonderful writing and God Bless you Sir.

Leslie

 

Thank you folks for your kind words. It is much appreciated. Always nice to hear from the younger generation
Sapper

 

THis has ben used several times as a "Lesson" on Armistice day.


Les Fleurs de Normandie.

On Norman soil, they fought and died.
Now young men's graves in rows abound.
In Mother Earth's arms, now sanctified,
The fragrant flowers of our youth are found.

And yet, to rise again, as in a distant song.
Small voices that call, in dead of night.
Fleeting figures only in our dreams belong.
Alas, they fade, in dawn's bright light.

I see them yet, a sad, forgotten throng.
Shadowed, lost faces, marching on.
Over dusty roads, and high golden corn.
The call of long lost friends are borne.

We must not forget, the flowers of our days,
Lest they lay unquiet, in numbered graves.
For we lived, and loved, and life was sweet.
Still yet, for us, awaits our last retreat.

Flowers of our youth, now long since past.
Our sweet autumn days are fading fast.
We, who are left, flowered in our prime.
Enjoyed golden moments, on borrowed time.

Remember our friends, who passed this way.
For all our tomorrow's, they gave their today's,
On Utah and Omaha, Juno, Sword and Gold.
Oh! Dear Lord! See that they grow not old.

Brian Guy. (Sapper)
June. 1944 / 2004
.

 

Thanks, Brian. A very timely reminder that, indeed, we must not forget.

 

Bear with me.. For a reminder of when I was a young man, and just what it was like to be the one Free nation left in Europe. The one bastion of freedom against a new medieval dark age, that threatened to overwhelm the world. For then we stood alone, totally alone...... If we fell? then what? I dread to think.....
So this means a lot to me. it is the final words of two speeches by Churchill.

Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.


What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization. Upon it depends our own British life, and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us.
Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science.
Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour.'
Winston Churchill - June 18, 1940

Sapper

 

thank you Brian again............... and sadly through your words and quotes I see the same correlation happening elsewhere in the world.

Fight to stay free !

Erich ~

 

So glad I found this thread.

Dear Sapper, Thank you so much for writing your story. I'm the daughter of a Canadian Veteran and I so wish I could hear his story as I am getting to hear your's. Please do keep writing.

Michelle

 

Thank you Michelle for your kind words.
I am afraid that the Veterans, Both from Normandy and Arnhem Associations are getting very thin on the ground now. The youngest of us, is between 82/3 years old. Many, or most of the Vets Associations have closed, or are defunct. The old vets cannot get out in the evenings, and getting someone with enough savvy to carry out the duties of Chairman and Secretary.... are now almost impossible.

The idea of writing the story of a ordinary soldier? was done for one reason only. That is, or was! to try to keep the memory of what happened as fresh in the minds of the following generations as possible. Perhaps Michelle, I succeeded.... if only in a minor way.

During that exercise I have made many friends from all quarters.Those folk that share an interest in what was undoubtedly, in my mind. The greatest period in our Nations History.

from the time of Dunkirk when we stood alone. The last bastion of freedom in the whole of Europe. Till the eventual Victory at Bremen.

Although I paid a high price for that Victory, never the less, it was a great privilege to have lived in those times, and to have know such heroic men and women.
Not less the heroism shown by the Canadians.......Great lads. Brave as the come!

When I first started the series of lectures. I made it my business to get hold of a Canadian battle dress top that I wore....as a sign of respect for great Allies. I borrowed it from the tank Museum at Bovington.

I have also got a set of car flags that include the Union jack The Canadian, and the American flags. That flutter proudly, as I tear around the town on Veterans day.

I would like to upload the pictures, but don't know how to reduce the size.
Best Regards to all on this site.
sapper

 

Like everyone else reading this thread I'm honoured by it.

A lot of the whippersnappers won't have known a WWII veteran. I'm old enough to have been lucky in having grown up surrounded by them, England was indeed a land of heroes.

So it's a pleasure to "meet" another one.

I've sent you a private message about resizing your pictures, hope it's agreeable.

cheers,

 

Thanks. I have sent a PM, Cheers Sapper

 

Thank you, Sapper, for both responding to me and your recognition of the others who fought alongside you.

I'm writing about my parents, a Londoner (my mother) who married a Canadian gunner. I've been fortunate to find the history of the Cdn 3LAA (only artillery at Dieppe), but it is your descriptions that make me feel, smell, taste, and see what you and he lived through. He was there at Caen/Falaise and Verriere Ridge and on through to Germany. As I read, I remember the odd thing he would say such as the smell and sight of the carnage in the Falaise Gap.

I've printed the thread so I and my husband can read it while away from the Computer. We are tentatively planning to trace the steps of my father in 2009 and 2010. I will truly feel it having read your words.

Michelle

 

Hi Michelle.
Thanks for that. best wishes.
sapper

 

Well Sapper It's high time I added my comments to the long list of accolades awarded you and your story. I have not read all of your work as yet but certainly enough to recognize the value of your input to all its readers. My own escapades offered a mere glimpse of the turmoil taking place throughout Europe. Our threads have been running beside each other for some time on this remarkable forum and hope they continue. Some of your present day cohorts have taken up lodging on the grounds of our old RAF Squadron 514 at Waterbeach Cambs. On a visit there in '98 we were given a tour of the premises by some of the obliging inhabitants. How ever you and yours spend Christmas I hope it's a happy one.
From the skipper of Lancaster A2 C Cheers. Alex Campbell