6th June 1944

[LeadBelly]

It's less newsworthy than usual this year because of current events but: today is the (73rd) anniversary of D Day.
c.150,000 personnel mainly from GB, USA and Canada but also Free French, Norwegian navy, Oz & Kiwi Air Force; followed later by assorted displaced Europeans were involved on our side. They set out before dawn not knowing if they would see the end of the day or if they would have the resources, leadership and courage to meet their objectives.
Thankfully they did and the Nazi rule of most of Europe came to an end c 11 months later. (Not forgetting the Ruskis huge efforts in the eastern side).

Two things this historical event is making me think of in these times are:
1. I wish some folk would think twice before calling people “fascist” or “Nazi” just because they see views that are a bit to the right of their own. Real Nazis made a whole industry out of murdering people who were different from themselves racially or politically & caused the deaths of many millions of innocent people.
2. GB might be going through a turbulent patch currently but it was a whole lot worse back then and the people still found the fortitude and togetherness to strive to put things right slowly but surely.

[Imploding Turtle]

Since you brought it up concentration camps are not "a bit to the right".

[cricketfieldclarets]

Many of us will have had family involved that day. None of us would be here but for their selfless bravery. Times like this we should reflect on what they sacrificed in order for us to have what we have today. Can't give up our civil liberties and our way of life that they fought for so easily.

[TheFamilyCat]

Agree with the sentiments of the OP.

However, sadly, re point 1: there are people who are advocating persecuting followers of a religion as a whole to try to stop the actions of a very small minority.

These range from anonymous posters on messageboards to high profile people writing to large audiences.

I think it's fair to call them Nazis.

[Hipper]

Agree with the sentiments of the OP.

However, sadly, re point 1: there are people who are advocating persecuting followers of a religion as a whole to try to stop the actions of a very small minority.

These range from anonymous posters on messageboards to high profile people writing to large audiences.

I think it's fair to call them Nazis.

Well, I disagree!

The Nazis not just persecuted one religion for no good reason (and also gypsies, the mentally handicapped as well as political opponents), but killed them on an industrial scale (involving transport, a large bureaucracy, and industry).

[Claret Till I Die]

Many of us will have had family involved that day. None of us would be here but for their selfless bravery. Times like this we should reflect on what they sacrificed in order for us to have what we have today. Can't give up our civil liberties and our way of life that they fought for so easily.

Lest we forget x

[TheFamilyCat]

Well, I disagree!

The Nazis not just persecuted one religion for no good reason (and also gypsies, the mentally handicapped as well as political opponents), but killed them on an industrial scale (involving transport, a large bureaucracy, and industry).

I am comparing their beliefs to the ideology of Nazism, not specifically the acts they carried out.

For example, just because the NF, Combat 18 etc didn't commit genocide, it does not mean they are/ were not Nazis.

[bobinho]

Every single thread it seems is hijacked by someone with a political agenda to push.

This thread is really about D Day. Can we just leave it about that?

Can't imagine what must've been going thru those lads minds as they approached what can only be described as "the killing beaches". Their bravery cannot be allowed to be forgotten.

Lest we forget.

[ThinLizzy]

My thoughts are with those lost but find this thread the height of hypocrisy. If you could go back in time and bring a bunch of Tommies to 2017 to see us being ruled by Europe, political correctness gone mad, a bunch of libtards who moan and complain about being offended and overrun by foreigners. The vast majority would have said 'Stuff it, I'm not fighting for that!' This I know to be true. I've never met a veteran who thought things turned out for the better after our sacrifices.
Anyone on here who has any REAL sympathies for those who died won't be voting Labour on Thursday. If you do. You're hypocrites for connecting yourselves in ANY way with the fallen. They certainly died for freedom but not for us to lose our identity, culture and sense of identity over.

[Imploding Turtle]

Every single thread it seems is hijacked by someone with a political agenda to push.

This thread is really about D Day. Can we just leave it about that?

Can't imagine what must've been going thru those lads minds as they approached what can only be described as "the killing beaches". Their bravery cannot be allowed to be forgotten.

Lest we forget.

Why is it that the OP is allowed to make political points but no one is allowed to respond to them just because the thread is about D-day? He made a political point about the use of certain terms in today's politics. There's nothing wrong with replying to that. If you've anyone to blame then blame the OP for bringing today's politics into a D-Day post.

[RingoMcCartney]

My thoughts are with those lost but find this thread the height of hypocrisy. If you could go back in time and bring a bunch of Tommies to 2017 to see us being ruled by Europe, political correctness gone mad, a bunch of libtards who moan and complain about being offended and overrun by foreigners. The vast majority would have said 'Stuff it, I'm not fighting for that!' This I know to be true. I've never met a veteran who thought things turned out for the better after our sacrifices.
Anyone on here who has any REAL sympathies for those who died won't be voting Labour on Thursday. If you do. You're hypocrites for connecting yourselves in ANY way with the fallen. They certainly died for freedom but not for us to lose our identity, culture and sense of identity over.

Post of the day. Probably the week.

[Imploding Turtle]

My thoughts are with those lost but find this thread the height of hypocrisy. If you could go back in time and bring a bunch of Tommies to 2017 to see us being ruled by Europe, political correctness gone mad, a bunch of libtards who moan and complain about being offended and overrun by foreigners. The vast majority would have said 'Stuff it, I'm not fighting for that!' This I know to be true. I've never met a veteran who thought things turned out for the better after our sacrifices.
Anyone on here who has any REAL sympathies for those who died won't be voting Labour on Thursday. If you do. You're hypocrites for connecting yourselves in ANY way with the fallen. They certainly died for freedom but not for us to lose our identity, culture and sense of identity over.

You're about a week away from calling Labour voters 'enemies of the state'.

I think those who died would look at you and the hatred you hold for your fellow man and be utterly ashamed of you yet entirely proud they chose to defend your right to be a thoroughly hateful, small person. As they should.

[Spike]

I took a moment to Remember this as well during today's minutes silence.

Lest We Forget

[Sidney1st]

Why is it that the OP is allowed to make political points but no one is allowed to respond to them just because the thread is about D-day? He made a political point about the use of certain terms in today's politics. There's nothing wrong with replying to that. If you've anyone to blame then blame the OP for bringing today's politics into a D-Day post.

Alternatively you could just scroll on past and not get dickish....

I know you'd struggle to contain yourself, but try it.

[Imploding Turtle]

Alternatively you could just scroll on past and not get dickish....

I know you'd struggle to contain yourself, but try it.

Is this irony deliberate?

[Sidney1st]

Nope, you jumped straight on to a snippet of the OP, you couldn't contain yourself to get in there.

[Imploding Turtle]

Nope, you jumped straight on to a snippet of the OP, you couldn't contain yourself to get in there.

Or it's the only part that i thought warranted a reply.

[Sidney1st]

As I said you could've just ignored it and scrolled on past, but you just couldn't help yourself.

You can carry on now, I'm off somewhere else to play.

[Corky]

Since you brought it up concentration camps are not "a bit to the right".

You are either being deliberately obtuse or you are just not very bright. I'll let you decide.

[Lancasterclaret]

My thoughts are with those lost but find this thread the height of hypocrisy. If you could go back in time and bring a bunch of Tommies to 2017 to see us being ruled by Europe, political correctness gone mad, a bunch of libtards who moan and complain about being offended and overrun by foreigners. The vast majority would have said 'Stuff it, I'm not fighting for that!' This I know to be true. I've never met a veteran who thought things turned out for the better after our sacrifices.
Anyone on here who has any REAL sympathies for those who died won't be voting Labour on Thursday. If you do. You're hypocrites for connecting yourselves in ANY way with the fallen. They certainly died for freedom but not for us to lose our identity, culture and sense of identity over.

You don't have the right to make that conclusion. None of us do. They fought so that we and Europe could be free from Nazi tyranny and they did it and millions made the ultimate sacrifice.

Honour their memory, honour their sacrifices, but don't pretend that anyone involved in 1944 would be just like you in 2017.

[Lancasterclaret]

And last one from me on this thread which is about the brave of WWII

Anyone who seriously thinks that the Europe of 1944 is anything like the Europe of 2017 is mental. Batshit mental.

[Lord Beamish]

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

[JohnMac]

I felt it only right to spare a thought last night and this morning for those who were poised and then launched into the biggest invasion in history.
It is worth remembering those who took part in World War Two are aging quickly, the D Day veterans will be in their 90's now and all too soon we will have very few around.

The Bravest Generation 1939 - 1945.
Lest We Forget

[JohnMac]

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

Kenneth Brannagh did this justice in Henry V


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-yZNMWFqvM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[wilks_bfc]

I was very proud & humbled to accompany my Grandad to Normandy a few years ago.

I've only ever seen him cry on two occasions. The first was when my Nanna died the second was whilst on this journey

[JohnMac]

The film about D Coy of the Ox and Bucks at Pegasus Bridge is currently being made and hopefully due for release early next year. Much respect to your Grandad mate, this was a very special part of the Operation and those that took part were very special indeed.

I was in Warminster last week and watched some of this event, now held annually.

https://www.forcesmarch.org.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Imploding Turtle]

And last one from me on this thread which is about the brave of WWII

Anyone who seriously thinks that the Europe of 1944 is anything like the Europe of 2017 is mental. Batshit mental.

It's shaped the same.

[JohnMac]

I was very proud & humbled to accompany my Grandad to Normandy a few years ago.

I've only ever seen him cry on two occasions. The first was when my Nanna died the second was whilst on this journey

Do you mind if I ask your Grandads name?

I have several close friends who share an interest in Pegasus Bridge, a few of them are ex Royal Green Jackets, the Ox and Bucks were amongst their antecedent.

Of course you will now tell me he was one of the contingent of Royal Engineers

[hbuzzard]

Was in Normandy last week to visit the landing beaches, gun batteries, Pegasus Bridge etc. Went to the American and German cemeteries, and the British one near Ranville. I think it's only when you see the array of crosses that you begin to appreciate the scale of the losses, from all sides - it was very moving.

[Garnerssoap]

The Normandy beaches are well worth a visit. Took my I phone generation kids last year and even they got something out of it

[hbuzzard]

Yes, my two kids, aged 13 and 11, really enjoyed it too. My daughter was quite moved in the cemeteries.

[Claret Till I Die]

I visited the Normandy beaches and several cemeteries in 2015. Found Ranville cemetery particularly moving.

Lest we forget x

[wilks_bfc]

Do you mind if I ask your Grandads name?

I have several close friends who share an interest in Pegasus Bridge, a few of them are ex Royal Green Jackets, the Ox and Bucks were amongst their antecedent.

Of course you will now tell me he was one of the contingent of Royal Engineers

Not at all. His name is George Webster and was with the Loyal Lancs.

He wasn't actually part of D-Day landings but a few days after.

On the ferry over he turned to us and said "It's a bit calmer than the last time I came across. I was so ill. Whilst I was leaning over the side being sick, I lost my rifle."
"What did you do?" we asked
"Stole somebody else's" he said

[Sidney1st]

My son went over to Normandy with his school to visit the beaches and cemeteries etc.

He actually enjoyed it and we had a good chat about it when he got back.

[turfytopper]

The Normandy beaches are well worth a visit. Took my I phone generation kids last year and even they got something out of it

I visited the D day beaches last summer. It was incredible.

It really makes you stop and think.

[JohnMac]

My Dad was wounded in Normandy during the breakout.

[Wokingclaret]

JohnMac

My late Dad was with the 51st HD and were in the Pegasus Bridge area