The Great Crusade.

Kev35

You took a lot of time yesterday paying tribute to the events of 64 years ago, you did so very elequently and I think that wer’e all the better for it, thank you for your efforts.
A slight interruption, a very loud racket has caused me to run outside to witness an SAR Sea King pass low over the house in low cloud and driving rain, it is relevant, it’s modern day servicemen going about their duties in similar weather as of 64 years ago, only they are putting their own lives at risk to save others, rather than destroy them.
Next year will be the 65th anniversary of D-Day, it will probably be the last meaningful celebration on French soil, the survivors grow fewer every year.
Personally Kev, I would start planning a trip now, as from what you say, you haven’t been there, it may be your only chance to get a flavour of events, particularly if you go with a veteran, well, thats a must, there wouldn’t be much point otherwise.
I gather from previous comments that you have disabilities, don’t let that bother you, you can drive about so easily, it’s not all about scrambling up cliffs into bunkers, you can park up, take it all in and reflect.
Taking my old man back in 1994 was a revelation, it was probably one of the best weeks I ever had in my life.
What got me was when we found his landing point at Arromanches, ‘Ooh this was it, I came up this beach access, the German prisoners were streaming back the other way with their hands on their heads, I’d never seen German troops before, they looked terrified, the poor sods’.
He was lucky, he didn’t have to fight his way off the beach, that came later when they were shelled with 88’s at their assembly point.
A final comment, my little note and flowers are still in position on the roadside, the people of Braintree obviously have respect.

I managed to get across to the NMA at Alrewas this afternoon and was greeted with warm sunshine and a gentle breeze. The plan was to go to the Service in the Chapel at 2pm, then down to the wreath laying at the Memorial to the Normandy Veterans and ending the afternoon listening to a concert come sing a long. However, as most of you who know me will realise, things rarely go to plan as I regularly get sidetracked. The cause of the disruption to my carefully made plan was the two gentlemen in the photograph below.

I missed the Chapel Service as I became deeply engrossed in conversation with these two men, but more of them later.

The following are a couple of shots of one of the RBL Standard Bearers and the procession of people from the Chapel down to the Normandy Veterans Memorial.

In all, there must have been at least two hundred people who assembled down at the Memorial. A short Service was conducted during which two wreaths were laid.

During the Service the lady pictured below sang ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ and ‘We’ll Meet Again.’ This was a very poignant moment for myself and the rest of those assembled. Maggie O’Hara has a good voice and a natural warmth and empathy towards her audience which saw almost everyone joining in.

After the Service we all just sort of stood around, not wanting to leave the Memorial. Handshakes were exchanged, acquaintances were renewed and at one point I heard a deep voice with a Northern accent shout at someone they obviously hadn’t seen for some time “You old ****** you! You’re not dead yet then?”

It’s amazing as you walk through a gathering like this. Yes, they’re all in their eighties, many of them on sticks, scooters or in wheelchairs, but when I looked in their eyes today I saw the men they were 64 years ago. Alive, vital, and perhaps strange to say, happy and contented. God knows how many ghosts were laid to rest today but I suspect there were a few.

One gentleman I spoke to said that on the morning of the 6th of June 1944, he never expected to be alive to see the sunset. He said he’s now seen the sun set on 64 more 6th of June’s. That was why he was there today, to say thank you to all those who helped him stay alive on what he called that “bloody awful morning” and to one young man in particular who gave his own life in saving his. He said that that day had ensured that he had had to “live two lives, mine and his.”

The mood was lightening again, almost like the lifting of a veil. Maggie O’Hara gave a great performance again singing for over an hour to a very appreciative audience. She had us all singing with her, laughing, and occasionally, wiping away a tear. A great end to a wonderful day for all those who attended.

But now we go back to our two gentlemen from the first photograph. I bumped into them as soon as I arrived and we had a chat and I discovered that they both lived local to me.

The gentleman resplendent in red is Alf Cooper. He served, IIRC, in Cyprus with the Staffords. Now a member of the Walsall Branch of the RBL he plays in an Ex-Serviceman’s band and is a bugler at occasions such as this.

The other gentleman is Mr. Les Dewson. Now in his late eighties, he Joined the South Staffordshire Regiment as a regular in 1938. In 1940, he was transferred to the Royal Engineers, a move which he strongly believes saved his life. He served for three and a half years in North Africa, returning home in March of 1944. As he told me, somewhat ruefully, “I was in France in June!” He finally got home in the Summer of 1946. His most vivid and haunting memory is of an incident in Antwerp which occurred on December 16th 1944. At around 15.20 in the afternoon, a V2 rocket detonated on the roof of the Cinema REX. It was full. The first American film since the Occupation had just been brought to Antwerp and a packed house of Service personnel and civilians alike were enjoying the show. Almost 600 were killed and 300 injured. Of the dead almost 300 were Servicemen and women. Mr. Dewson was with one of the rescue teams recovering the dead and injured. He said “we never shut our eyes for three and a half days. Until we were taken off the job exhausted. The last body I pulled out was a woman. She was wearing a fur coat.” Recovery of all the dead is said to have taken six days.

It’s approaching 8.30 pm now. And as the sun goes down over Normandy I hope that those destined to lie forever along that stretch of coast are warmed a little by the sun’s dying embers, and by the depth of appreciation shown by those who remember, not only on the 6th of June, but everyday.

Regards,

kev35

Very little said down here tooo! 🙁

It’s me again, sorry, but it’s my special day, I’ve always reserved it for the old man, even when he was alive, it was the day when he finally put his life on the line. It’s good to appreciate sympathetic comments from people on this site, especially Kev 35, you really have said it all for people who care, are we the only one’s interested any more.
I’ve heard nothing on the media today about todays anniversary, however, I’ve just heard on R2, a little piece from John Sentamu, the contraversial Archbishop of York, whats he done today, a parachute jump with the Red Devils, good for him, clerics of any demonation take note, he made a tribute to the events of Normandy as well as to the current British forces and as he admitted, whether he agrees with the wars we are involved with or not, he reckons that our troops are the finest in the world, and it was his tribute to them after all.
I’m going to take a walk up to the War Memorial now, I’m sure that the park will be full of junky scum, but thats what our fathers fought for after all, the right to life in whatever form.

As you say Pete, the Archbishop made mention of the fact that it was “D-Day” today, but thus far he was the only one; my son has just returned from France (on a school trip), they did visit the WW1 cemetary whilst there, but there was no mention of the fact that, “D-Day” was only 2 days away, and now like many here, I do think that “we” may be the last to remember, with any real understanding of what it was really like, every successive generation tells the same tale but each time a little is lost (or added).

The Longest Day!

G’ day up there Chap’s and Chapette’s

Well……..What can I say to add to all of what’s been said already!

Great Post Kev mate, an amazing read, very moving……..

It’s 11.49 pm 6th first day nearly down, I bet the beache’s would still be at the peak, of it’s total madness and destruction of Men and machine’s.

I think of all the Aussie’s, Kiwi’s, Canadian’s, South African’s, and American’s, who helped you Pom’s kick the CR@P out of those Nazi Kraut’s and two faced Frog’s and other slimy hanger on’s.

Well done to all, The plan worked after all those year’s of planing and preparation.

And keeping your very determined Bulldog Winnie on short lead, must have been a real handfull for those who delt with him in those dark day and hour’s before D-day was finally launched.

I got a tingle down my back and neck, when a DC-3 and Growler flew over me just after take off today, the DC-3 Droning out with the beautiful radial sound, then the Growler over next, growling of course, louder today depending on who is flying her at the time.

My best mate Frank Appleford(Ex Pom) 63 in July was a bit teary reading you post, I am comming to the UK in 2010 with him as he want’s to show me his country that I have heard so much about for the last 23 year’s.

Think he also want’s to keep mad Phil on a leash!

Lest We Forget all those who gave it ALL on this day in History.

R.I.P

Best respect’s to all from Australia.

P.s I kind feel a bit strange or funny being a Sturmvogel262, as I am flying over bombing the landing’s, Great the dimwit Kraut blew their chance’s with the type of Aircraft and it failed in it’s allotted task’s ;).

Sadly, I noticed yesterday that Collins diary for 2008 records June 10th as the anniversary…

Perhaps a simple slip, in the throwaway comment for each day, but it’s sad they can’t get something so important in world history right.
Thanks for launching this topic, Kev. We will remember them.

Adrian

Kev – as ever, your timely and well chosen words leave little to be added. Well said sir.

I will stop off at Chailey (one the Sussex ALGs) on my way home tonight, and spend a few moments in quite reflection and gratitude for what the guys, and girls, based there (and at all the other bases) were probably doing to support operations over and around the beachheads and further inland 64 years ago today.

– As BSG-75 suggested, Is our generation (I’m 48) going to be the last who can say with real conviction and truth:

“At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them…..” after The Roll of Honour has been read at Rememberance Services etc ?

Not sure my kids will be feel able (or be allowed) to say the same with quite so much conviction as we do when they get to my age in thirty years or so.

Pete T – as you say, whether we like it or not, those guys gave their lives so that the youngsters of today are free and can ignore their sacrifice if they so choose, it does seem unfair, but I suspect many of the boys would still have gone and done it even if they knew this is how things would turn out?

I am sure that it is a minority (albeit a very vocal and highly visible minority) of todays “yoof” who are openly scornful and disrespectful of that sacrifice, I am sure a good many of today’s youngsters do understand what it was all about, but perhaps being a generation or two further removed from it than us, it’s not quite so “real” or tangible to them?

After all, can any of us on here honestly say we have the same depth of conviction about celebrating/commemorating Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar or Wellington’s victory etc as we do about marking 15th Sept/BofB day, or 6th June, VJ-, or VE Days etc etc? I doubt it :o.

Paul F

Thanks for the kind comments. It’s nice to see photographs taken by those who have visited and shared their memories. Personal circumstances mean I may never get the chance to visit but pictures like Ian’s and Moggy’s ensure that Normandy is not so far away after all.

Last night I was thinking about Operation Tonga, the magnificent coup de main operation against Pegasus Bridge. About, as ACM Sir Trafford Leigh Mallory put it “the greatest feat of flying of the Second World War.” The pilot, Jim Wallwork, was probably just glad to have got everyone down in the right place. But on such skill, courage and determination momentous events can turn. I thought of Lt. Den Brotheridge who kept his rendezvous with a German bullet and was, perhaps, the first British Officer to die in France on D-Day? This immensely likeable Officer used to spend some of his evenings sat with the men of his Platoon discussing football as they polished their boots and cleaned their weapons.

Was it the crews of 617 Squadron who flew endlessly back and forth across the English Channel during the hours of darkness throwing window out by the ton in an effort to delude the Germans into thinking the Invasion was taking place further North?

On this bright, warm and sunlit morning it is hard to imagine that 64 years ago men were fighting and dying. Was it the Norwegian ship Svenner which was lost giving gunfire support to the American beaches?

And now, 64 years on, I rather suspect that all is very quiet on the beaches of Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha. I hope that those Veterans who are there, and those that aren’t, find peace and solace in the knowledge that they will never be forgotten.

The youngest of the D-Day Veterans would be at least 82 now. My fiance’s Grandfather went ashore in August and saw his first action, the first of many (few of which he will speak about) at Le Havre. We talk about some of the things he saw and was part of but again, it was always someone else who was braver. As they moved forward they passed other units who had been in action. Uniforms dirty and torn, walking wounded, tired, haggard but always in good order. These are the men he remains in awe of. Even now he still can’t accept that a few days later he was the same.

I hope to have the privelege of meeting and saying thank you to a few such men this afternoon at Alrewas. You offer them your hand and say thank you and, while obviously pleased that you have done so, there is often that mystified look on their face which says “but what have I done? Why should you wish to thank me?” And I think that just about sums it all up for the men of that generation.

Ordinary men doing extraordinary things, without thought of consequence and often without realising the enormity of what they achieved. For them it was get the job done and back to a life of family, work and responsibility. As they reach the twilight of their years many are now finding the necessity of unburdening themselves of memories and images which have quietly troubled them all their lives. We are in a unique and honoured position of being there to listen and to understand.

Regards,

kev35

Just checked the RAF website and it was 617 squadren who threw window out by the ton in order to convince the Germans of a naval invasion further up the coast.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/h617.html

excellent post kev, very moving…

It’s me again, sorry, but it’s my special day, I’ve always reserved it for the old man, even when he was alive, it was the day when he finally put his life on the line. It’s good to appreciate sympathetic comments from people on this site, especially Kev 35, you really have said it all for people who care, are we the only one’s interested any more.
I’ve heard nothing on the media today about todays anniversary, however, I’ve just heard on R2, a little piece from John Sentamu, the contraversial Archbishop of York, whats he done today, a parachute jump with the Red Devils, good for him, clerics of any demonation take note, he made a tribute to the events of Normandy as well as to the current British forces and as he admitted, whether he agrees with the wars we are involved with or not, he reckons that our troops are the finest in the world, and it was his tribute to them after all.
I’m going to take a walk up to the War Memorial now, I’m sure that the park will be full of junky scum, but thats what our fathers fought for after all, the right to life in whatever form.

a quiet moment to reflect

A good friend of mine said to me that he worries that our generation (I’m 42, he is 45) are the last “in touch” with these events as it was part of our upbringing and our world is full of over hyped “heroes”, that the media have created.

I’ve never served in the military, I am fortunate enough to have had that free choice and as my son starts to study history in school on a very different way that I was tought, I’ll make as much informaton available to him as possible so he can learn about these servicemen and what they did.

When an overpaid footballer can be a hero for earning 50 grand a week to kick a ball, a quiet moment of reflection (and prayer if thats your thing..) is called for, and maybe what they would ask for.

What can I say, ordinary people who did extraordinary things, I will always remember what they did with gratitude!

I cannot watch footage of the landings without wondering what happened to the men I am watching, one famous clip comes to mind, of a chap standing in the assault craft seemingly just looking into the distance, I have always wondered who he was, what were his ambitions and most important did he make it home?

Eric

I almost certain that Den Brotheridge was the first British Officer to die on D-Day, there is a memorial to him at Pegasus Bridge, well worth visiting if you ever have chance and my favourite site to visit when i’m in Normandy. A truly awe inspiring piece of flying, I recommend Stephen Ambrose book dedicated to Pegasus Bridge.

Dean

Thanks for the kind comments. It’s nice to see photographs taken by those who have visited and shared their memories. Personal circumstances mean I may never get the chance to visit but pictures like Ian’s and Moggy’s ensure that Normandy is not so far away after all.

Last night I was thinking about Operation Tonga, the magnificent coup de main operation against Pegasus Bridge. About, as ACM Sir Trafford Leigh Mallory put it “the greatest feat of flying of the Second World War.” The pilot, Jim Wallwork, was probably just glad to have got everyone down in the right place. But on such skill, courage and determination momentous events can turn. I thought of Lt. Den Brotheridge who kept his rendezvous with a German bullet and was, perhaps, the first British Officer to die in France on D-Day? This immensely likeable Officer used to spend some of his evenings sat with the men of his Platoon discussing football as they polished their boots and cleaned their weapons.

Was it the crews of 617 Squadron who flew endlessly back and forth across the English Channel during the hours of darkness throwing window out by the ton in an effort to delude the Germans into thinking the Invasion was taking place further North?

On this bright, warm and sunlit morning it is hard to imagine that 64 years ago men were fighting and dying. Was it the Norwegian ship Svenner which was lost giving gunfire support to the American beaches?

And now, 64 years on, I rather suspect that all is very quiet on the beaches of Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha. I hope that those Veterans who are there, and those that aren’t, find peace and solace in the knowledge that they will never be forgotten.

The youngest of the D-Day Veterans would be at least 82 now. My fiance’s Grandfather went ashore in August and saw his first action, the first of many (few of which he will speak about) at Le Havre. We talk about some of the things he saw and was part of but again, it was always someone else who was braver. As they moved forward they passed other units who had been in action. Uniforms dirty and torn, walking wounded, tired, haggard but always in good order. These are the men he remains in awe of. Even now he still can’t accept that a few days later he was the same.

I hope to have the privelege of meeting and saying thank you to a few such men this afternoon at Alrewas. You offer them your hand and say thank you and, while obviously pleased that you have done so, there is often that mystified look on their face which says “but what have I done? Why should you wish to thank me?” And I think that just about sums it all up for the men of that generation.

Ordinary men doing extraordinary things, without thought of consequence and often without realising the enormity of what they achieved. For them it was get the job done and back to a life of family, work and responsibility. As they reach the twilight of their years many are now finding the necessity of unburdening themselves of memories and images which have quietly troubled them all their lives. We are in a unique and honoured position of being there to listen and to understand.

Regards,

kev35

Post script

I just went up to the war memorial in Braintree, lovely structure in a memorial park but with the WW2 part facing the main road.
Despite the fact that it’s just yards away from the council offices, I rather got the impression that nothing would happen here today, it was full of council workers on mobile phones having a fag, they’re lucky that theres not a swastika flying over the premises.
So I went up to Sainsburies and bought some roses, even my pals up there didn’t know the significance of today, anyway I put them on the roadside part of the memorial with a note of reminder, horrible to say, but I can’t see them lasting the day, I expect some local scroat will chuck them and the note all over the road, lets hope I’m wrong. I’ll let you know.

I just put on the computer to remind you all of the ‘Day of Days’, and Kev has said it all, what more is there to say.
Just one issue, when you say that you couldn’t have done it, I think you would, you’d have been trained to do anything and as your uncle put it, you would have wanted to ‘dish it out’, after all, so many troops had scores to settle over previous battles and events at home.
One of my late fathers memories was coming in under that naval bombardment, I’m sure that they had to endure Warspite firing over their heads, that must have been terrifying even before they came ashore.
I can’t find my little book that details the time line, but as of now, 8:48, I would imagine that the battles on the beaches were pretty much finely balanced, except that the Americans on Omaha were probably thinking they were staring disaster in the face.
Thats why the old boy was sent in earlier than planned, they had to get the heavier artillery on to the beach at Arromanches in order to hook right and try and rescue the situation at Omaha, terrifying thought, in the end they were used to occupy Bayeux, the first major town to be liberated.

Like Moggy, I can take some of these re-enactors with a pinch of salt, but we were there too at the 50th anniversary, and walking round Bayeux Cathedral which was full of period ‘British Troops’ and in particular some RAF types, was quite moving for my old man, irreligious to the end, or so he reckoned, he couldn’t wait to light a candle for his mates, we had to leave him sitting alone in the nave.

Today has always been our special day, we were very close.

Takes me back to the 60th anniversary.

I spent a week there.

It was everything you can see in Ian’s pictures and then more.

I’m ambivalent about re-enanactors, but to be sitting eating cheese and drinking wine by a French country lane about three miles inland from Utah Beach and have a small section of WW2 transport roar past making that unique noise was the closest I’ll ever get to time travel.

But the real bonus was the veterans. I was able to speak to a good few. I pray they are all still with us.

Moggy

The European Thanksgiving.

I can’t even begin to express what we owe those men.

Great post!

Kev, thank you for an exelent post. This is really thought provoking and has all the space it needs in Historic. This is the post a lot of us, I´m sure, had hoped to post, but never got around to do. Remembering the veterance is our duty, be it the WWI or WWII. They are the reason we are on a forum like this one to day. Always remember that!!!

I would, however, like to take an issue with this statement of ours, Kev,

Could I have done it? I really don’t think so. kev35

Of course you could have done it, just like any other soldier. They were just soldiers, all they knew was that the death was just around the corner. Just like present day soldiers in Iraq or Afganistan. If you were in Iraq or Afganistan, you wouldn´t give a second thought about what you are doing. Not that I agree with the polititians, but I respect the service men and women doing the duty. It would have been much the same in WWII

BRG
Sigurjón

Very well put.

To the veterans living and dead…thank you.