Popular Post Blackbriar 8,569 Posted June 6, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 (edited) .......the anniversary of probably the most momentous military operation of them all. As many as 4,000 Allied troops are believed to have died on this day, that saw the culmination of a battle that heralded "the beginning of the end" of WW2. Within minutes of landing, British troops captured Pegasus bridge, and 300 paratroopers landed in Ranville, the first town to be liberated from Nazi occupation. Sadly, an ever-dwindling number of veterans are left to visit the places where their comrades fell on beaches designated Utah, Omaha, Juno, Gold and Sword. Their heroism and sacrifice will soon be lost to living memory, and it will be left to us to keep their flame alight. Today is the 6th of June - a day that will forever be known simply as "D-Day"....... Edited June 6, 2016 by Blackbriar 29 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Silversnake 1,099 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Thanks for posting blackbriar, a fine tribute. Atvb. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waltjnr 7,123 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 don't forget more importantly the start of Ramadan! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blackbriar 8,569 Posted June 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 (edited) don't forget more importantly the start of Ramadan! I will treat that comment with the level of contempt it deserves.... Edited June 6, 2016 by Blackbriar 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blackbriar 8,569 Posted June 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Thanks for posting blackbriar, a fine tribute. Atvb. Better men than me, mate, every one of them....... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
walshie 2,804 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 No more than kids a lot of them. Prepared to give everything for their country. Heroes every one. Nice post BB. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unlacedgecko 1,467 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 No more than kids a lot of them. Prepared to give everything for their country. I've done a battlefield tour of France and the Netherlands. I remember visiting this man's grave. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2631313/The-runaway-boy-hero-D-day-At-14-lied-way-Army-At-just-16-parachuted-France-frantic-family-hot-tail.html I shudder to think of the reaction among today's youth should our nation face a similar threat now. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blackbriar 8,569 Posted June 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 No more than kids a lot of them. Prepared to give everything for their country. I've done a battlefield tour of France and the Netherlands. I remember visiting this man's grave. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2631313/The-runaway-boy-hero-D-day-At-14-lied-way-Army-At-just-16-parachuted-France-frantic-family-hot-tail.html I shudder to think of the reaction among today's youth should our nation face a similar threat now. If you look up "hero" in a dictionary, there should just a picture of that young man next it ! The best way to serve their courage and sacrifice is to make sure that they didn't die for nothing...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DogFox123 1,379 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 On Wednesday I saw an old man minding his own business carrying a case and dressed in a blazer with all his medals. I asked him some questions and was surprised to hear he was part of the Normandy Landings. His name is Cyril Elliot of Sheffield and is 96 years old. I was star struck tbh and he was chuffed at my praises and questions. If this country had more folk like him it would be a much better place. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beast 1,884 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 did a tour of the normandy beaches and cemetery a few years ago, and as i stood looking out across the beach thinking of all those lads lying dead i found myself in tears, what a shame and a waste and what a sacrifice. and i thought of all those wives and mothers at home waiting. heartbreaking. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacknife 2,005 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Just been having another read through my Grandads company war diary......A very lucky man he was 1939 was in the BEF in France.....Made it home on the third boat first 2 sunk The war diary starts in June 1940 training for beach landings until Nov 42 when he went to Algiers/Bougie/sousse/Tripoli Then 9 Sept 1943 landed on the beach at Salerno Italy.....21 Sept the beaches were still being shelled Then on to Yugoslavia in April 45 then back to Italy in May 46 where they were disbanded Now i know why as kid i remember him not wanting to go to the beaches on family holidays 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waltjnr 7,123 Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 don't forget more importantly the start of Ramadan! I will treat that comment with the level of contempt it deserves.... And I bet every last one of those fallen heros is turning in their grave ,at the state of the country they died for! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.