Just wondering if the Television is doing anything for D Day 6th of June.In France we tried to book an Hotel for a few days in February nearest to the beaches was nearly 100 Klm ((60 miles) away .Duxford as got the Dakotas lining the runways for the Paratroopers to jump from.But nothing has been said if anything is on the Telly.Does anyone know anything
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75th Anniversary of the D Day landings
- Thread starter Edifi
- Start date
D-Day anniversary is just beyond the TV 'event horizon', perhaps in a few days we will know when events will be televised.
I see that there has been a call for something with a Birmingham connection - the 'clickers' made by Acme whistles to help D-Day troops indentify friend from foe.
I see that there has been a call for something with a Birmingham connection - the 'clickers' made by Acme whistles to help D-Day troops indentify friend from foe.
maypolebaz
master brummie
Don't try too hard mate.
Teachers nowadays don't teach that sort of stuff.
I'm going to be excluded now, aren't, I comrades ?
Radiorails
master brummie
I saw a film in which 'clickers' were used by American troops, but had the unfortunate sound of being similar to a German weapon being cocked particularly with a 'two click' operation.
Whether that is a true fact, or Hollywood make believe, I do not know. I was not there and I doubt anyone on BHF was to confirm this.
However, if true and it is said that they were a only 24 hour period of use, then I suspect there may be many lying around the fiels of Northern France.
Whether that is a true fact, or Hollywood make believe, I do not know. I was not there and I doubt anyone on BHF was to confirm this.
However, if true and it is said that they were a only 24 hour period of use, then I suspect there may be many lying around the fiels of Northern France.
jmadone
master brummie
Jim, do you know if they have been successful in finding any of the originals?
jmadone
master brummie
Maurice thanks for that but sorry I don't do facebook.
Jim
Robert Ensor (bob)
master brummie
We (the world) must be running short of those brave young men 
.
As a side note my friend just lost his pop, 18 years old helmsman Higgin's Landing Craft where ? Iwo Jima day 1.
.As a side note my friend just lost his pop, 18 years old helmsman Higgin's Landing Craft where ? Iwo Jima day 1.
Robert Ensor (bob)
master brummie
I wonder if the youth of today can understand or comprehend the sacrifice by so many, this week end in the states is Memorial day just another day off for some to sober up after watching the Indy 500 and the Coca Cola 600.
jmadone
master brummie
I understand what you say but you may well be surprised by the youth of today. The ones that grab the headlines are the yobs and thugs because it sells newspapers and causes sensation. The majority of young people I come into contact with are sensible, caring people. My children and their friends realise what sacrifices were made in both world wars by their ancestors and are proud of what they did. My grandchild, although perhaps a little young at the moment to fully understand what happened in the past, attends remembrance day parade with his cub scouts and proudly wears his great grandfathers medals on November 11th.
Just read a good article on the Normandy Beaches in the D Mail.Afather took his to sons to see the area were most of the fighting took place The Falaise Pocket (a lovely area of France been many times).He said his 3 children learned a lot and played a lot.But he said he made the mistake of buying them each a replica Cricket.The metallic clicker used by airborne troops to identify friendly forces at night.They have not stopped clicking the Blasted things ever since
oldbrit
OldBrit in Exile
Pretty stunning watching the Indy 500 pre-game,
On June 6th BBC One is presenting D-Day 75 from 0915-1300:
"Sophie Raworth present live coverage of the commemorative service at Bayeux War Cemetery in Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, a key turning point in the Second World War. The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and other dignitaries join veterans for a service of remembrance, paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of all those who served. Throughout the programme Sophie will be joined by guests in the studio, while Dan Snow reports from the cemetery, meeting some of the veterans who have made the pilgrimage to Normandy to remember their fallen comrades. Commentary by Fergal Keane."
BBC Two has the highlights from D-Day 75 from 1830-2000.
It also has the 1958 version of the film Dunkirk on from 1500-1715.
"Sophie Raworth present live coverage of the commemorative service at Bayeux War Cemetery in Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, a key turning point in the Second World War. The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and other dignitaries join veterans for a service of remembrance, paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of all those who served. Throughout the programme Sophie will be joined by guests in the studio, while Dan Snow reports from the cemetery, meeting some of the veterans who have made the pilgrimage to Normandy to remember their fallen comrades. Commentary by Fergal Keane."
BBC Two has the highlights from D-Day 75 from 1830-2000.
It also has the 1958 version of the film Dunkirk on from 1500-1715.
Holidayed in France for many years .But the saddest sight to do with the war is a little village called Oroudor- sur Glane in the Loire Valley.The Germans killed everyone in the village over 650 men ,women and children and burnt the town down.It still remains the same today as a monument to these people.There are rusty cars and sowing machines still in the houses.Its so sad
guilbert53
master brummie
I wonder how Merkel feels attending the event today.
She is sitting a few seats down from the Queen, Theresa May, Trump and other world leaders, and she is representing Germany.
It does seem to me the Germans could be particularly cruel at times in WW2.
There was an arrogance that made them think it was alright to use their U Boats to sink non-military ships, to drop bombs on cities and towns and to kill innocent people, and also to kill innocent people as they did in that French village.
ps. I do realise that WE (the allies) were eventually also dropping bombs on German cities and towns, and in fact in preparation for the D Day landings we bombed many areas of France near the coast (railway lines etc) and killed many innocent French people.
Such a sad waste of life.
Radiorails
master brummie
The main addition I would make to Edifi's post is that the men were put in barns which was barricaded, the women and children also locked into the church. Then the town was set on fire. Apparently 10 people miraculously surviced.
Radiorails
master brummie
That was the doctors car. A memorial day always takes place on 10th. June each year.
Smudger
master brummie
Lets not blame todays Germans for the sins of their fathers. I spent 4 years in Germany & found them very polite & generous.
Elmdon Boy
master brummie
My Dad went over on D day+12, broke his front teeth slipping and falling onto his rifle butt on Gold beach, applied his own dentistry by pulling them out with his hands, he was held up in Normandy for weeks avoiding sniper firing, shrapnel wound to his neck which I never knew about until he told me of his exploits after Mum died, never talked about them until then, I don't think Mum ever knew of what he went through, in fact I know he never told me everything.
We went over to Normandy together in 1995 to look at the various D day museums and remains, I detected a tear in his eye when watching the film at the 360 degree film on the cliffs overlooking Arromanches.
Another moving moment was visiting his best buddies grave at one of the many small war cemeteries.
He showed me some of the villages he helped liberate, and the ditch he was held up in for days whilst liberating a village.
Unfortunatly the section of the ditch he was in he thought had disappeared as it was where a new road by pass has been built.
Whilst in Holland, he was temporarily put up in a house by a Dutch family, whom my Mum and Dad welcomed back to Yardley for a holiday in the early 50s, but they lost touch with them after that. Shame because although around I was to young to remember them. He was involved in the push right up to the Baltic.
I'm feeling emotional with a tear in my eye whilst typing this.
I'm proud of you Dad. RIP.
We went over to Normandy together in 1995 to look at the various D day museums and remains, I detected a tear in his eye when watching the film at the 360 degree film on the cliffs overlooking Arromanches.
Another moving moment was visiting his best buddies grave at one of the many small war cemeteries.
He showed me some of the villages he helped liberate, and the ditch he was held up in for days whilst liberating a village.
Unfortunatly the section of the ditch he was in he thought had disappeared as it was where a new road by pass has been built.
Whilst in Holland, he was temporarily put up in a house by a Dutch family, whom my Mum and Dad welcomed back to Yardley for a holiday in the early 50s, but they lost touch with them after that. Shame because although around I was to young to remember them. He was involved in the push right up to the Baltic.
I'm feeling emotional with a tear in my eye whilst typing this.
I'm proud of you Dad. RIP.
My dad said they always preferred Ann Shelton but she seems to have been written out of the history since the mid-1950's. A case of history being written by the survivors?
The day is a day to remember the everyday people who were there on the ground right in the middle of the scene of horrific events. Events that not only changed the world we live in, it changed their lives too. Many did not comeback, and left a legacy of grief, mourning and sad loss for those they left behind. Many came back changed by the horrific events they had witnessed and experienced and carried those feeling forever, silently, keeping these memories to themselves.
We have already recognised the contribution of people like Vera Lynn and many others, but these people came back and were expected to return to everyday life. Many just disappeared into history, they did not brag, they did not boast, they just got on with their lives, protecting us from their memories and experiences.
Yesterday was their day.
