80th anniversary of D Day....6th june 1944

[CoElkHunter]

For the many YOUNG farm and city boys who had never traveled more than a few miles from their hometowns, who had been thrust into the battles of D Day for the sole purpose of ridding the free World of indescribable tyranny so we may all enjoy what we have today, I salute you!

 

[Troubleshooter]

I don't know if you have had a chance to walk down the road that leads to omaha beach....quite a few years ago my ex wanted to take her father to the beaches for his bday present, as his father had been in the landings in the Royal engineers....so I googled for tour guides and came across an English guy who did them....was a very lucky break finding him as he was incredibly clued up, but also knew a lot of places off the normal tourist route that he took us to...hardly any if any other people were in those places....at omaha he took us down and as we went showed the machine gun pits dug in allover.....he said keep the view from here in your minds for when we get down onto the beach....looking around it was bit like an amphitheatre with uninterrupted views of the beach.....when we got down onto the beach he took us to the waters edge, and said this is actually the level where it was when they started landing. I am going to leave you so you can look towards the land and think about those men/boys trying to move forwards...I looked and all I could think was how did any make it at all, as it was a perfect killing ground...totally overlooked by the upwards sloping ground leading from the beach.....only cover was a slight ridge in the sand bit up from the sea.....it was a pretty sobering emotional moment when you took it all in....we had the guide for 3 days and it was money well spent...I had been couple times before, as not far from where used to live around the corner, but the information and stories he had about small places that most wouldn't even bother going to or even know about was amazing . He had met the infamous German machine gunner from omaha a few times, as he used to visit the beech every year....the guide said I think he was trying to look for peace in his mind....said he would talk to people and was like he was cleaning his head as much as he could....as said was very interesting 3 days....

More times than I can count over the past many years. Most recently yesterday, holding the arm of a lovely octogenarian French lady who is a longtime family friend, to help steady her on the walk back.

But not today. The Gendarmerie have the roads blocked off for vehicles and pedestrians. Eighty years ago my father had to fight the nazis to get onto this beach, but today he would have to fight the French. The irony is not lost on me.

I have much to say about the way that the 100+ year old veterans are being herded around but will withhold that from the present discussion out of respect for them and the memories of their departed brethren. Perhaps some other time in some other venue.

Weather this morning is gorgeous, sunny and just a hint of a breeze. It is the weather that Ike had hoped for, 80 years ago.

 

[spike.t]

More times than I can count over the past many years. Most recently yesterday, holding the arm of a lovely octogenarian French lady who is a longtime family friend, to help steady her on the walk back.

But not today. The Gendarmerie have the roads blocked off for vehicles and pedestrians. Eighty years ago my father had to fight the nazis to get onto this beach, but today he would have to fight the French. The irony is not lost on me.

I have much to say about the way that the 100+ year old veterans are being herded around but will withhold that from the present discussion out of respect for them and the memories of their departed brethren. Perhaps some other time in some other venue.

Weather this morning is gorgeous, sunny and just a hint of a breeze. It is the weather that Ike had hoped for, 80 years ago.

What a shame ....they should be the centre of attention.....

 

[spike.t]

The youth of today could definitely learn from the courage and fortitude of those that landed on the beaches of the D-day invasion.
The hell being rained down on them from those German pill boxes would test the courage of the best of men

Unfortunately I was reading that in the UK quite a large percentage of the young people don't even know what D Day even is....I should imagine possibly even bigger percentage in usa......

 

[spike.t]

'They gave us freedom' - D-day veterans celebrated in Normandy

Colourful events are taking place to commemorate D-Day, but the ongoing conflict in Ukraine casts a shadow of war over Europe.

www.bbc.com

 

[spike.t]

Had a laugh at him having to stop Churchill from joining the Invasion fleet....

What Ike Remembered When Returning to the Beaches of Normandy 20 Years After D-Day

In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, the paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division tried to ease the concerns of Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had just given the go order for the D-Day landings after one last bout of wrangling with the allies.

www.military.com

 

[spike.t]

Mmm......good to be a bit eccentric....and brave

The legacy of the Mad Piper who played bagpipes on D-Day beaches

The sounds of Bill Millin's bagpipes rang out along the Normandy coast, raising the morale of the soldiers around him. His son, grandson and great-grandson carry on the legacy.

news.sky.com

 

[PARA45]

It's sad to watch the base I work at send out flyers about gay pride month activities, and not a single mentioned about D-day. So much wokeness, and politically correctness BS, and not an ounce of gratitude to honor those who served on D-day, and especially those who died fighting evil.

Ugh, so upsetting.

 

[spike.t]

Long and haven't watched all yet...bit naff at beginning but interesting so far...delves into a lot of different parts of the D Day operation...

 

[spike.t]

Long and haven't watched all yet...bit naff at beginning but interesting so far...delves into a lot of different parts of the D Day operation...

Worth a watch when you have time

 

[SFRanger7GP]

I have been following all of the D Day timeline events and sipping whisky (VAT 69) in solemn remembrance of those great warriors. They set the standards that we should all strive to emulate.

 

[gizmo]

God bless our WWII vets. By the end of the day US forces suffered 2500 of the 4000 casualties on D Day. Troops on Omaha beach had an 85% casualty rate in the first 15 minutes. The allies literally walked face first into the jaws of hell and established a foothold that led to the liberation of Europe from Nazi tyranny. I can't imagine what that would have been like. Sad to say there are few that would do the same today.
My grandfather was a WWII vet, he served in the Pacific in the 19th Air Bombardment. He was and still is my hero. They broke the mold when they made those men.
If there are any WWII vets on here I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your sacrifice liberated the world, you truly are "The Greatest Generation"

 

[gizmo]

I’ve probably mentioned it before, but I had an old family friend who jumped with the 82nd on D-Day. At the time he had only been in the army six months.
I believe the Marines landed on Saipan the following week, maybe June 14-15.

June 15th 1944. They landed on Peleliu in September, the Philippines in October 1944

 

[Red Leg]

For those who don't like wandering through long tomes on the war (which likely includes 99% of Gen Z), the Mail has put together a pretty good little interactive timeline of the invasion.

How D-Day unfolded, hour by hour

On June 6, 1944, Allied troops crossed the English Channel by boat, aircraft and glider to attack and secure beaches in Normandy as part of Operation Overlord.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I have a bit of a ritual on this day. Tonight, after supper, I'll pour a single malt, and watch "The Longest Day" yet again. It holds up extremely well.

 

[gizmo]

Lets not forget to honor our Airforce vets too, those men flew a ton of missions in support of the landings and did an amazing job. 8th Airforce had the highest casualty rate of an allied unit in WWII. over 36,000 casualties with 26,000 of them giving their lives. An airman on a B17 had less that a 25% chance of survival leading up to the invasion of Europe. The mighty 8th cleared the skies of the Luftwaffe making the invasion of Europe possible. In big week alone the RAF lost 131 bombers, 8th lost 226 bombers and 28 fighters but they annihilated the Luftwaffe and gained air superiority. Without this sacrifice D-Day would not have been possible. Our allied airmen are truly the unsung hero's of WWII.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I was on Omaha Beach on the 50th anniversary. A very humbling experience! The prayer a Dutchman gave in thanks to the Americans brought tears to my eyes. He was 14 years old on D-Day and his family had been brutalized by the Nazis.
Also visited the American cemetery which was pristinely cared for.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

What is really mind boggling is almost concurrently with the D-Day invasion of Europe, Operation Overlord, the Allied forces in the Pacific were also executing huge offensive operations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariana_and_Palau_Islands_campaign

June 1944 really was the beginning of the end.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I have a bit of a ritual on this day. Tonight, after supper, I'll pour a single malt, and watch "The Longest Day" yet again. It holds up extremely well.

@Red Leg, I'm sure you know this and can probably quote it verbatim:

Two US Army Brigadier Generals, Ted Roosevelt, Jr and Norma Cota, landed in Normandy on D-Day. Ted Roosevelt, Jr was played by Henry Fonda and Cota was played by Robert Mitchum. Roosevelt was awarded the Medal of Honor and Cota the Distinguished Service Cross for their actions on June 6.

From the movie:

• Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr.: As best I can figure it, we're on the wrong beach. The control boat must have been confused by the smoke from the naval bombardment. They landed us about a mile and a quarter south of where we were supposed to land. We should be up there.
• Col. Caffey: I agree with you, but what are we gonna do now? Our reinforcements and heavy equipment will be approaching in a very few minutes. What happens if they land at the right beach?
• Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr.: The reinforcements will have to follow us wherever we are. We're starting the war from right here. Head inland. We're going inland.

• Brigadier General Norman Cota: I don't have to tell you the story. You all know it. Only two kinds of people are gonna stay on this beach: those that are already dead and those that are gonna die. Now get off your butts. You guys are the Fighting 29th.

 

[spike.t]

For those who don't like wandering through long tomes on the war (which likely includes 99% of Gen Z), the Mail has put together a pretty good little interactive timeline of the invasion.

How D-Day unfolded, hour by hour

On June 6, 1944, Allied troops crossed the English Channel by boat, aircraft and glider to attack and secure beaches in Normandy as part of Operation Overlord.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I have a bit of a ritual on this day. Tonight, after supper, I'll pour a single malt, and watch "The Longest Day" yet again. It holds up extremely well.

Thought this was quite amusing about Richard Todd...

 

[PARA45]

This is so embarrassing and disrespectful. I can't believe Biden is sleeping through Macron speech at Normandy,