Enjoyed that mate, thanks for the effort, I'm off to Hiroshima in the morning, that should be pretty interesting to see a city that was just about taken off the map and , from what I can gather is now a gleaming example of post war and modernisation the hotel I've booked is near the war museum and peace park ,I'm young enough to not have experienced any war misery thank fuck, The yellow peril have definitely been giving my wallet a good hammering though while in japan. Hope you don't find my comments flippant . I've great respect for anyone who has to fight a war.
I like this one
Flying in formation over Pegasus Bridge
The Invasion of Normandy: Cherbourg Part II | Armchair General | Armchair General Magazine - We Put YOU in Command!
Went with Sea Cadets to make up the number to Cherbourg in 1946 on Destroyer HMS Opertune with Admiral Frazer from Portsmouth, Cherbourg harbour had been given a pasting by the RAF the harbour was full of sunken ships with their superstructure sticking above the water, the forces were going to use the harbour but because of sunken ships could not, have never been back.
Last edited by oldgit; 07-06-2014 at 02:55 PM.
I prefer these blended photos..
Tourists walk by where the body of a dead German soldier once lay in the main square of Place Du Marche in Trevieres after the town was taken by US troops who landed at nearby Omaha Beach in 1944.
Beach goers walk past a captured German bunker overlooking Omaha Beach near Saint Laurent sur Mer.
Farmer Raymond Bertot, who was 19 when allied troops came ashore in 1944, stands where US Army troops once made battle plans on his property near the former D-Day landing zone of Utah Beach in Les Dunes de Varreville.
Children walk over the remains of a concrete wall on the former Utah Beach D-Day landing zone, once a vital means of defence for US Army soldiers.
A farm field remains where German prisoners of war, captured after the D-Day landings in Normandy were once guarded by US troops at a camp in Nonant-le-Pin, France.
In 2014, tourists stroll by where the 2nd Battalion US Army Rangers once marched to their landing craft in Weymouth, England June 5, 1944.
The former Juno Beach D-Day landing zone, where Canadian forces once came ashore, in Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, France. Once a scene of death and destruction, now a tourist's paradise.
Where Canadian troops once patrolled in 1944 after German forces were dislodged from Caen, shoppers now walk along the rebuilt Rue Saint-Pierre in Caen, which was destroyed following the D-Day landings.
Where US Army reinforcements once marched on June 18, 1944, tourists now tread the same path to the beach near Colleville sur Mer, France.
Tourists top up their tans where the members of an American landing party once assisted troops whose landing craft was sunk by enemy fire off Omaha beach in 1944.
Holidaymakers enjoy the sunshine, while on June 6, 1944 US reinforcements landed on Omaha beach during the Normandy D-Day landings near Vierville sur Mer, France.
This week thousands of people, including some of the ever-decreasing number of D-Day veterans, flocked to beaches, cemeteries and villages linked to the landings.
British veterans of landings have honoured their fallen comrades today during a poignant service of remembrance in Normandy attended by the Queen.
David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Ed Miliband and about 400 Commonwealth troops also attended the Royal British Legion service at Bayeux Cathedral.
The Prime Minister said it was "incredibly moving" to be at the events in Normandy and it was "humbling" for people of his generation who had not had to do anything like the heroic actions of June 6 1944.
"It is awe inspiring, it gives you a sense of humility but above all it gives you a sense of extraordinary gratitude for what these amazingly brave people did."
He said the veterans still had a "spring in their step and joy in their hearts about coming back here and remembering what they did".
Guests also included French prime minister Manuel Valls and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who were all packed into the Norman-Romanesque cathedral - the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry - on a day which is expected to mark the high point of the D-Day anniversary events.
At the start of the service the Reverend Patrick Irwin, the Royal British Legion Chaplain to Normandy, told the congregation: "Here in this cemetery we are reminded of the true cost of D-Day whose 70th anniversary we mark today.
"We pay tribute to the dead and welcome enthusiastically the veterans for whose courage and devotion we are most grateful.
"This is a British cemetery and most of the graves in this place are British but D-Day involved many nations and many nations are represented here."
The Chaplain added: "Here in this cemetery men from many nations lie together united in death, and together, united in gratitude, sorrow and respect, we honour their memory - may they rest in peace."
D-Day Landing Sites Then And Now: 11 Striking Images That Bring The Past And Present Together
Was just watching interviews with soldiers at the D-Day memorial, and one of them talked about a Hurricane that crashed on Sword Beach. He said it was his friend flying it, and he died. I thought it was neat to put a human face to the story of this picture.
Really nice, Snub. Like the way they're done.
My nephew, a Captain with the US Army Rangers, and my best friend's son, a Captain with the 82 Airborne, jumped in the commemorative parachute jump Friday. A great honor for them. My nephew, who had his senior parachute wings awarded on the drop zone, said you could just feel the history sweeping over you.
Can't send you a green Bsnub but thanks very much for adding them to the thread.
Great thread!
A very touching ceremony, i watched all afternoon yesterday. The BBC did a good coverage, with flashbacks and interviews.
Only one thing that got to me as a bit off was the fact that Barack was chewing gum the whole time.
And the UK veteran who ran away from his Nursing Home to be there, was classic!! Good on him.
Some may not like this, but I am sentimental. I hope they will keep it to another thread...
Last edited by bsnub; 07-06-2014 at 06:47 PM.
^thanks, I owe you one.
During WWII my late father got drafted when he was attending Oregon State in 1941. He was in the 8th Infantry Division, 13th Regiment. My father was in every WWII battle that the 8th Infantry Division participated in Europe.
8th Infantry Division WW2
My father grew up and was friends with Donald "Don" Marlarkey of Band of Brother's fame. As a child I met Don Marlarkey, but knew nothing about his involvement in the War. My father never spoke about the War. Most of my friends fathers were also in the War, but none spoke of the war.
My father is dead now ten years. I have a box of war trophies I know nothing about. Maybe some things should remain a mystery.
A very interesting thread. Some places can change a lot in the span of just a few years to the extent that you would never think they are the same place. However, the examples shown here are very recognizable as many of the same roads and buildings are still there.
In contrast, if you go to a place like the area of Thailand where the old Thai-Burma Railway used to run, you'd be hard pressed to find much of a trace beyond the end of the existing line due to erosion, jungle growth, recent farming, and dam building. One exception is the restored section around Hellfire pass.
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