In the Spirit of D Day

codfanglers

codfanglers

Dedicated Member
Today is the anniversary of the British and American soldiers landing on the beaches of Normandy to battle the Germans. Is D Day celebrated much in England?

As I mentioned in the past, my grandfather was rded medals for saving countless lives under enemy fire as a medic during D Day. From what I understand, he fought along the side of British troops as well. Ironically, he was a 2nd or 3rd generation American of German descent.

For those interested......

http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=22661
 
Great medal, and so well earned. Sure hope he
survived into a quiet old age.

My dad was a Seabee in the Pacific war. He never would
talk about his experiences there.
 
codfanglers said:
Today is the anniversary of the British and American soldiers landing on the beaches of Normandy to battle the Germans. Is D Day celebrated much in England?

As I mentioned in the past, my grandfather was rded medals for saving countless lives under enemy fire as a medic during D Day. From what I understand, he fought along the side of British troops as well. Ironically, he was a 2nd or 3rd generation American of German descent.

For those interested......

http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=22661
Click to expand...


Yes it is Cod, there are usually celebrations and wreath laying around the country.
 
codfanglers said:
Today is the anniversary of the British and American soldiers landing on the beaches of Normandy to battle the Germans. Is D Day celebrated much in England?
Click to expand...

Today the television here in Britain (note, Britain, not just England) has been full of the ceremonies and church services both in UK and in France. This will be that last year the Normandy Veterans Association of British survivors of the landings attend the ceremonies as it is being disbanded. There are so few of them left.

Remember there were five beaches (and the airborne attacks), two, Utah and Omaha attacked by US troops, two, Sword and Gold, attacked by British troops (including Australians, Indians, free French, free Poles, etc.) and the fifth, Juno, which was tackled by the Canadians.
 
Yes Big Unc, you corrected me before on Britain being more than just England. I don't recall hearing about Wales or Scotland being bombed by the Nazi's so I didn't think of those countries so much when thinking of D Day. Perhaps I am wrong. I do remember hearing that my grandfather fought alongside the British troops, if not on the beaches perhaps it was in some sort of preparation duty.

Sorry to say Chuck, my grandfather did not live for too long. He came down with a horrible case of Alzheimer's disease in the late 70's and passed away in the late 80's. FYI Chuck, he was also awarded the Silver Star by General Omar Bradley.

My other grandfather, was stationed in New Guinea but from my understanding, he did not see any action (the opposite of my other grandfather.
 
All parts of the United Kingdom suffered bombing, including Northern Ireland where Belfast was hit in two major raids. In fact, the first air raid of the war targeted Scotland, specifically the Forth Bridge and Rosyth Dockyard, both very close to where I now live. There is a lot of information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blitz

And, of course, all parts of the United Kingdom had their regiments deployed at D-Day.
 
What about the old guy who disappeared from his Care Home and was found among the veterans on the beaches?? If that isn't showing the spirit of D Day nothing else will!! ;D Incidentally he says he will go again next year if he can! ;D
 
Saw that on the news tonight Dick. Well done,:16: he did pretty good getting out of the country!!! Hope he makes it next year. I am sure they will keep a better eye on him around this time next year!:whisper:
 
I hope that next year someone arranges to escort him to the Normandy beaches. Than kind of determination and enterprise should be rewarded!

Marianna
 
Big Unc said:
All parts of the United Kingdom suffered bombing, including Northern Ireland where Belfast was hit in two major raids. In fact, the first air raid of the war targeted Scotland, specifically the Forth Bridge and Rosyth Dockyard, both very close to where I now live. There is a lot of information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blitz

And, of course, all parts of the United Kingdom had their regiments deployed at D-Day.
Click to expand...

I did not know that but I know now. The history channel here was showing footage of London being bombed and the aftermath. Wow, it was quite grim!

When I was a child my father would play all the Fawllty Towers episodes and back then I didn't understand the resentment against the Germans. However, now I realize that show was just 30 years after WW2.
 
dick said:
What about the old guy who disappeared from his Care Home and was found among the veterans on the beaches?? If that isn't showing the spirit of D Day nothing else will!! ;D Incidentally he says he will go again next year if he can! ;D
Click to expand...

Also we heard in the news about a Scottish WW2 vet who just parachuted onto Normandy. He is in his upper 80's!
 
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