D-Day 60th Anniversary
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I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a single thread on this on CP! :( I watched the anniversary celebrations, and I have to say that I was quite moved by the whole thing. Many of the veterans are in their mid-eighties and it is doubtful how many of them will be around for the 70th anniversary. I learnt several things yesterday that I never really knew before. The Canadians sent over 1 million men from only a population of 11 million, and made a huge contribution that has largely been ignored. Germany and annexed Austrians fought *for* the Allies in X-Troop Commando against the Nazis. Poles, Czechs and others were forcibly conscripted and fought against the landing forces. They were told that the Allies would torture them to death if captured. Some of the stories were especially touching. Like the Highland Regiment piper that played the bagpipes whilst his fellow soldiers stormed the beach, and the Nazi snipers refused to shoot him because they thought he was a 'dumpkopf!'. The sergeant that refused morphine for himself because he 'was done in and that it should be used for the other poor fellows.' The speeches by the heads of state were well put, but I think, and this may sound a little trite, that the most loudest voices there, were the ones that were silent in the rows upon rows of graves. The veterans typified what makes nations great, and I for one am proud of them. If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. Regards, Barry
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I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a single thread on this on CP! :( I watched the anniversary celebrations, and I have to say that I was quite moved by the whole thing. Many of the veterans are in their mid-eighties and it is doubtful how many of them will be around for the 70th anniversary. I learnt several things yesterday that I never really knew before. The Canadians sent over 1 million men from only a population of 11 million, and made a huge contribution that has largely been ignored. Germany and annexed Austrians fought *for* the Allies in X-Troop Commando against the Nazis. Poles, Czechs and others were forcibly conscripted and fought against the landing forces. They were told that the Allies would torture them to death if captured. Some of the stories were especially touching. Like the Highland Regiment piper that played the bagpipes whilst his fellow soldiers stormed the beach, and the Nazi snipers refused to shoot him because they thought he was a 'dumpkopf!'. The sergeant that refused morphine for himself because he 'was done in and that it should be used for the other poor fellows.' The speeches by the heads of state were well put, but I think, and this may sound a little trite, that the most loudest voices there, were the ones that were silent in the rows upon rows of graves. The veterans typified what makes nations great, and I for one am proud of them. If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. Regards, Barry
Just to add, I watched some of the events ( sunny outside so... ) , and it looked very well made, presented and not overly pompous. Barry Lapthorn wrote: The Canadians sent over 1 million men from only a population of 11 million Darn, just googled about that ... you're right ... :omg: I have to re-read my history ... http://www.junobeach.org/[^] is a nice site ... "funny" historical fact, our prime minister at the time was borne in Berlin, Ontario, the city was renamed to Kitchener.
Maximilien Lincourt Your Head A Splode - Strong Bad
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I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a single thread on this on CP! :( I watched the anniversary celebrations, and I have to say that I was quite moved by the whole thing. Many of the veterans are in their mid-eighties and it is doubtful how many of them will be around for the 70th anniversary. I learnt several things yesterday that I never really knew before. The Canadians sent over 1 million men from only a population of 11 million, and made a huge contribution that has largely been ignored. Germany and annexed Austrians fought *for* the Allies in X-Troop Commando against the Nazis. Poles, Czechs and others were forcibly conscripted and fought against the landing forces. They were told that the Allies would torture them to death if captured. Some of the stories were especially touching. Like the Highland Regiment piper that played the bagpipes whilst his fellow soldiers stormed the beach, and the Nazi snipers refused to shoot him because they thought he was a 'dumpkopf!'. The sergeant that refused morphine for himself because he 'was done in and that it should be used for the other poor fellows.' The speeches by the heads of state were well put, but I think, and this may sound a little trite, that the most loudest voices there, were the ones that were silent in the rows upon rows of graves. The veterans typified what makes nations great, and I for one am proud of them. If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. Regards, Barry
:rose:
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I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a single thread on this on CP! :( I watched the anniversary celebrations, and I have to say that I was quite moved by the whole thing. Many of the veterans are in their mid-eighties and it is doubtful how many of them will be around for the 70th anniversary. I learnt several things yesterday that I never really knew before. The Canadians sent over 1 million men from only a population of 11 million, and made a huge contribution that has largely been ignored. Germany and annexed Austrians fought *for* the Allies in X-Troop Commando against the Nazis. Poles, Czechs and others were forcibly conscripted and fought against the landing forces. They were told that the Allies would torture them to death if captured. Some of the stories were especially touching. Like the Highland Regiment piper that played the bagpipes whilst his fellow soldiers stormed the beach, and the Nazi snipers refused to shoot him because they thought he was a 'dumpkopf!'. The sergeant that refused morphine for himself because he 'was done in and that it should be used for the other poor fellows.' The speeches by the heads of state were well put, but I think, and this may sound a little trite, that the most loudest voices there, were the ones that were silent in the rows upon rows of graves. The veterans typified what makes nations great, and I for one am proud of them. If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. Regards, Barry
Barry Lapthorn wrote: If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. My father was one of the members of the 82'd Airborne that jumped into France on D-Day. Yea I am that old :) . My father passed away in 1971 but my Uncle - his younger brother - was a medic and went into France in August of 1944 and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge is still alive - at 81 - and although he is kinda shy about talking about what he did - as was many vets - ( he was actually captured for three days and he and several others escaped back to the American lines the day before Pattons army hit the Germans ) he has told me a lot of tales about my father. It is really sad that I didn't care about those kinda things when he was alive to ask. Richard "He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice. --Albert Einstein
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I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a single thread on this on CP! :( I watched the anniversary celebrations, and I have to say that I was quite moved by the whole thing. Many of the veterans are in their mid-eighties and it is doubtful how many of them will be around for the 70th anniversary. I learnt several things yesterday that I never really knew before. The Canadians sent over 1 million men from only a population of 11 million, and made a huge contribution that has largely been ignored. Germany and annexed Austrians fought *for* the Allies in X-Troop Commando against the Nazis. Poles, Czechs and others were forcibly conscripted and fought against the landing forces. They were told that the Allies would torture them to death if captured. Some of the stories were especially touching. Like the Highland Regiment piper that played the bagpipes whilst his fellow soldiers stormed the beach, and the Nazi snipers refused to shoot him because they thought he was a 'dumpkopf!'. The sergeant that refused morphine for himself because he 'was done in and that it should be used for the other poor fellows.' The speeches by the heads of state were well put, but I think, and this may sound a little trite, that the most loudest voices there, were the ones that were silent in the rows upon rows of graves. The veterans typified what makes nations great, and I for one am proud of them. If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. Regards, Barry
:rose: BW The Biggest Loser
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I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a single thread on this on CP! :( I watched the anniversary celebrations, and I have to say that I was quite moved by the whole thing. Many of the veterans are in their mid-eighties and it is doubtful how many of them will be around for the 70th anniversary. I learnt several things yesterday that I never really knew before. The Canadians sent over 1 million men from only a population of 11 million, and made a huge contribution that has largely been ignored. Germany and annexed Austrians fought *for* the Allies in X-Troop Commando against the Nazis. Poles, Czechs and others were forcibly conscripted and fought against the landing forces. They were told that the Allies would torture them to death if captured. Some of the stories were especially touching. Like the Highland Regiment piper that played the bagpipes whilst his fellow soldiers stormed the beach, and the Nazi snipers refused to shoot him because they thought he was a 'dumpkopf!'. The sergeant that refused morphine for himself because he 'was done in and that it should be used for the other poor fellows.' The speeches by the heads of state were well put, but I think, and this may sound a little trite, that the most loudest voices there, were the ones that were silent in the rows upon rows of graves. The veterans typified what makes nations great, and I for one am proud of them. If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. Regards, Barry
Barry Lapthorn wrote: The speeches by the heads of state were well put, but I think, and this may sound a little trite, that the most loudest voices there, were the ones that were silent in the rows upon rows of graves. Well said! I thought the same but could't express it. :rose: /edit As a matter of fact , I thought it was the speeches by the heads of states that was trite /edit "I believe I referred to her personality as a potential science exhibit." - Elaine, about Ellen, in "The Dog"
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I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a single thread on this on CP! :( I watched the anniversary celebrations, and I have to say that I was quite moved by the whole thing. Many of the veterans are in their mid-eighties and it is doubtful how many of them will be around for the 70th anniversary. I learnt several things yesterday that I never really knew before. The Canadians sent over 1 million men from only a population of 11 million, and made a huge contribution that has largely been ignored. Germany and annexed Austrians fought *for* the Allies in X-Troop Commando against the Nazis. Poles, Czechs and others were forcibly conscripted and fought against the landing forces. They were told that the Allies would torture them to death if captured. Some of the stories were especially touching. Like the Highland Regiment piper that played the bagpipes whilst his fellow soldiers stormed the beach, and the Nazi snipers refused to shoot him because they thought he was a 'dumpkopf!'. The sergeant that refused morphine for himself because he 'was done in and that it should be used for the other poor fellows.' The speeches by the heads of state were well put, but I think, and this may sound a little trite, that the most loudest voices there, were the ones that were silent in the rows upon rows of graves. The veterans typified what makes nations great, and I for one am proud of them. If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. Regards, Barry
I'm proud of Schroeder - his politics are a mere shadow of his ambitions - but it looks like he handle this hot-coal-dance very well. Yet, it's a pain to see german conservatives giving him more flak than members of the former allied countries.
we are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is Vonnegut jr.
sighist || Agile Programming | doxygen -
Barry Lapthorn wrote: If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. My father was one of the members of the 82'd Airborne that jumped into France on D-Day. Yea I am that old :) . My father passed away in 1971 but my Uncle - his younger brother - was a medic and went into France in August of 1944 and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge is still alive - at 81 - and although he is kinda shy about talking about what he did - as was many vets - ( he was actually captured for three days and he and several others escaped back to the American lines the day before Pattons army hit the Germans ) he has told me a lot of tales about my father. It is really sad that I didn't care about those kinda things when he was alive to ask. Richard "He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice. --Albert Einstein
Richard Stringer wrote: It is really sad that I didn't care about those kinda things when he was alive to ask. It is being recognised more and more that war recollections skip a generation i.e. they go from grandfather to grandson, rather than father to son. I can't tell you why that is, maybe it is just too close to home, but I do know that you are not alone in this. Barry Lapthorn wrote: If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. In the UK there was some controversy about the Welsh First minister not going to France in favour of attending a golf dinner. I personally felt that he should have been made to stand in front of a veteran and explain why their sacrifice was not as important as a little white ball... "If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" - Albert Einstein
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Richard Stringer wrote: It is really sad that I didn't care about those kinda things when he was alive to ask. It is being recognised more and more that war recollections skip a generation i.e. they go from grandfather to grandson, rather than father to son. I can't tell you why that is, maybe it is just too close to home, but I do know that you are not alone in this. Barry Lapthorn wrote: If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. In the UK there was some controversy about the Welsh First minister not going to France in favour of attending a golf dinner. I personally felt that he should have been made to stand in front of a veteran and explain why their sacrifice was not as important as a little white ball... "If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" - Albert Einstein
Matt Bishop wrote: It is being recognised more and more that war recollections skip a generation My grandfather served on several Royal Navy vessels, trying his hardest to avoid getting torpedoed. It happened three times though. He's still here now ;) My great uncle was shot in Italy in 1942 :( Matt Bishop wrote: I personally felt that he should have been made to stand in front of a veteran and explain why their sacrifice was not as important as a little white ball... There's no answer is there? Prince Andrew is just as bad. Regards, Barry
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I'm proud of Schroeder - his politics are a mere shadow of his ambitions - but it looks like he handle this hot-coal-dance very well. Yet, it's a pain to see german conservatives giving him more flak than members of the former allied countries.
we are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is Vonnegut jr.
sighist || Agile Programming | doxygenpeterchen wrote: I'm proud of Schroeder - his politics are a mere shadow of his ambitions - but it looks like he handle this hot-coal-dance very well. I'm not sure what to think about a German representative at the D-Day anniversary. I am no way saying that Germany today is anything like yesterday, but it just felt odd. I know all the soldiers that died were someone's son, but some of them were Nazis, and others forced to fight under the swastika, there's just no way to make the distinction during the event, or after. :( Regards, Barry
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Barry Lapthorn wrote: If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. My father was one of the members of the 82'd Airborne that jumped into France on D-Day. Yea I am that old :) . My father passed away in 1971 but my Uncle - his younger brother - was a medic and went into France in August of 1944 and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge is still alive - at 81 - and although he is kinda shy about talking about what he did - as was many vets - ( he was actually captured for three days and he and several others escaped back to the American lines the day before Pattons army hit the Germans ) he has told me a lot of tales about my father. It is really sad that I didn't care about those kinda things when he was alive to ask. Richard "He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice. --Albert Einstein
Richard Stringer wrote: he is kinda shy about talking about what he did - as was many vets That seemed to be the main thing said yesterday, 'we just did our jobs'. One hell of a job :omg: Regards, Barry
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I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a single thread on this on CP! :( I watched the anniversary celebrations, and I have to say that I was quite moved by the whole thing. Many of the veterans are in their mid-eighties and it is doubtful how many of them will be around for the 70th anniversary. I learnt several things yesterday that I never really knew before. The Canadians sent over 1 million men from only a population of 11 million, and made a huge contribution that has largely been ignored. Germany and annexed Austrians fought *for* the Allies in X-Troop Commando against the Nazis. Poles, Czechs and others were forcibly conscripted and fought against the landing forces. They were told that the Allies would torture them to death if captured. Some of the stories were especially touching. Like the Highland Regiment piper that played the bagpipes whilst his fellow soldiers stormed the beach, and the Nazi snipers refused to shoot him because they thought he was a 'dumpkopf!'. The sergeant that refused morphine for himself because he 'was done in and that it should be used for the other poor fellows.' The speeches by the heads of state were well put, but I think, and this may sound a little trite, that the most loudest voices there, were the ones that were silent in the rows upon rows of graves. The veterans typified what makes nations great, and I for one am proud of them. If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. Regards, Barry
well said. :rose:
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I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a single thread on this on CP! :( I watched the anniversary celebrations, and I have to say that I was quite moved by the whole thing. Many of the veterans are in their mid-eighties and it is doubtful how many of them will be around for the 70th anniversary. I learnt several things yesterday that I never really knew before. The Canadians sent over 1 million men from only a population of 11 million, and made a huge contribution that has largely been ignored. Germany and annexed Austrians fought *for* the Allies in X-Troop Commando against the Nazis. Poles, Czechs and others were forcibly conscripted and fought against the landing forces. They were told that the Allies would torture them to death if captured. Some of the stories were especially touching. Like the Highland Regiment piper that played the bagpipes whilst his fellow soldiers stormed the beach, and the Nazi snipers refused to shoot him because they thought he was a 'dumpkopf!'. The sergeant that refused morphine for himself because he 'was done in and that it should be used for the other poor fellows.' The speeches by the heads of state were well put, but I think, and this may sound a little trite, that the most loudest voices there, were the ones that were silent in the rows upon rows of graves. The veterans typified what makes nations great, and I for one am proud of them. If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. Regards, Barry
Lest we forget... :rose: The tigress is here :-D
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peterchen wrote: I'm proud of Schroeder - his politics are a mere shadow of his ambitions - but it looks like he handle this hot-coal-dance very well. I'm not sure what to think about a German representative at the D-Day anniversary. I am no way saying that Germany today is anything like yesterday, but it just felt odd. I know all the soldiers that died were someone's son, but some of them were Nazis, and others forced to fight under the swastika, there's just no way to make the distinction during the event, or after. :( Regards, Barry
thank you for being invited. For Schroeder it was one of those "whatever you do someone is complaining" things. What I'm proud of: - he didn't chicken out like Kohl, his predecessor, who denied the invitation - he didn't give in to the right wingers (who gave him lots of flak for not visiting a germans-only graveyard that holds some Nazi bosses, too) It is definitely weird to be there. But: to mourn with the victors about the losses of both sides, to break the picture of "good v. bad" (phuketing binarity), to accept that this is our common history, is a good pictures. Especially for us germans, but I think also a "little careful hugging" for all countries involved. Germany has some political and economical trouble ahead: Huge parts of east germany knee deep in shit and sinking, while west germany still has some meat to burn and largely didn't notice that rough times are ahead. It is in this time that we lose the direct memory of WW2 - the people that *were* there get less and less. They've never been very talkative anyway, it was their children who started to dig out what really happened. (and it's this time that a Hitler parody makes it into a main stream movie without a torrent of "how dare you" and "why not?".) What will remain is our sociocultural memory. That Schroeder could be there is a good sign.
we are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is Vonnegut jr.
sighist || Agile Programming | doxygen -
Barry Lapthorn wrote: If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. My father was one of the members of the 82'd Airborne that jumped into France on D-Day. Yea I am that old :) . My father passed away in 1971 but my Uncle - his younger brother - was a medic and went into France in August of 1944 and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge is still alive - at 81 - and although he is kinda shy about talking about what he did - as was many vets - ( he was actually captured for three days and he and several others escaped back to the American lines the day before Pattons army hit the Germans ) he has told me a lot of tales about my father. It is really sad that I didn't care about those kinda things when he was alive to ask. Richard "He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice. --Albert Einstein
My mum's father (James Appleby) was an infantryman on the Western Front during the D-Day Landings. I know he participated, but no more than that. My other grandfather (Ernest Metcalfe) was in the RAF in Burma during the War. I believe he flew with Bomber Command. Their experiences are not something they ever wanted to talk about. I can't say I blame them for that, and unfortunately they're both gone now. :(( I do remember talking to my Great Grandfather (Albert Redden) about his experiences during the First World War though...he was a stretcher bearer, and was awarded the Military Medal for bringing out wounded men under machine gun fire. I remember him telling me that war was a horrible and evil thing. I can't have been more than 10 at the time. We must never forget. :rose: Anna :rose: Homepage | Tears and Laughter "Be yourself - not what others think you should be" - Marcia Graesch "Anna's just a sexy-looking lesbian tart" - A friend, trying to wind me up. It didn't work. Trouble with resource IDs? Try the Resource ID Organiser Visual C++ Add-In
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I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a single thread on this on CP! :( I watched the anniversary celebrations, and I have to say that I was quite moved by the whole thing. Many of the veterans are in their mid-eighties and it is doubtful how many of them will be around for the 70th anniversary. I learnt several things yesterday that I never really knew before. The Canadians sent over 1 million men from only a population of 11 million, and made a huge contribution that has largely been ignored. Germany and annexed Austrians fought *for* the Allies in X-Troop Commando against the Nazis. Poles, Czechs and others were forcibly conscripted and fought against the landing forces. They were told that the Allies would torture them to death if captured. Some of the stories were especially touching. Like the Highland Regiment piper that played the bagpipes whilst his fellow soldiers stormed the beach, and the Nazi snipers refused to shoot him because they thought he was a 'dumpkopf!'. The sergeant that refused morphine for himself because he 'was done in and that it should be used for the other poor fellows.' The speeches by the heads of state were well put, but I think, and this may sound a little trite, that the most loudest voices there, were the ones that were silent in the rows upon rows of graves. The veterans typified what makes nations great, and I for one am proud of them. If you have any relations that fought in WWII, you should shake their hands now and thank them, as very soon, you'll no longer have the chance. Regards, Barry
Barry Lapthorn wrote: I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a single thread on this on CP Search further :) Some impressive pictures: Capa was the only press photographer who went in with the first wave of infantry on D-Day. [^] 14 nations were involved in the D-Day, they can be proud of their fallen soldiers and survivors.
Il n'y a que deux puissances au monde, le sabre et l'esprit : à la longue, le sabre est toujours vaincu par l'esprit.