i have to admit that the signifigance of this date slipped my mind until i was reminded by grapes......
a few years back while in philly for work i took a quick self guided tour of the new jersey and while in the forward gun area and i realised that i could never really wrap my head around the conditions soldiers work under.
Hard to argue that they werent the "greatest generation".
I have watched a lot of WW2 footage on the history/military channel recently and it never ceases to amaze me what these people have done for us. Amazing.
Hard to argue that they werent the "greatest generation".
I have watched a lot of WW2 footage on the history/military channel recently and it never ceases to amaze me what these people have done for us. Amazing.
And most couldn't wait to get there! and out the ones that made it back most did there best to "put the demons in the past" and forget about it..unlike todays soldiers.
My uncle was on that beach and two of his buddys were killed right next to him.
Quote:
When I saw Earls head explode I dove face first in the sand scared shtless,I couldn't move and then I thought, I didn't come all the way over here to get shot in the ass, If I'm going to die I need to take a Kröte with me! so I got my arse up and made it to the cliff. After that day everything seemed calm and easy, I don't think I even felt fear at all after that.
I'll never forget him telling me this.
Last edited by T@T; 06-07-2010 at 01:10 AM.
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And most couldn't wait to get there! and out the ones that made it back most did there best to "put the demons in the past" and forget about it..unlike todays soldiers.
My uncle was on that beach and two of his buddys were killed right next to him.
I'll never forget him telling me this.
Whoa... careful where you take this. Our soldiers today do a great service for our Country. They still put their lives on the line.
And most couldn't wait to get there! and out the ones that made it back most did there best to "put the demons in the past" and forget about it..unlike todays soldiers.
Way to talk out of your ass about something you don't know anything about - I have yet to be in combat, but I know some people who have seen some unimaginable cargage and it is foolish for you (who I assume haven't seen a day of service in your life) to look down on these men who are twice men most people here are because some of the things they have done or seen have had long lasting impacts on their mental wellbeing.
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If anybody ever has the opportunity to see the D-Day beaches. I highly recommend it.
Truly a moving experience.
Having been to the Juno, Omaha and Utah beaches with a WW2 veteran, it's also a bit freaky seeing everyday normal beach goers. Sure, it's a beach - but the still visible bunker/gun emplacements and the historical significance makes it a bit freaky to see people sun bathing and little kids running around.
Then again maybe that's the point. On one hand, you wouldn't want to forget but it says another thing that people can live their lives free because of what was sacrificed there (and elsewhere.)
If you are ever there, I also highly recommended going to see Point du Hoc.
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Dwight wrote two letters to the allied high command. The first announcing the success of the invasions.
The second a letter of apology and responsibility for the failure of the D-Day Invasion.
They just didn't know if it would succeed, and with the failure of the shore bombardments, the lack of effectiveness of the air cover, and the late arrival of the U.S. Rangers the operation should have failed.
It suceeded based on the determination of each individual GI crawling up the beach under hellish conditions, and it succeeded because of the strong leadership at the unit level to keep their men moving up the beach.
__________________
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Location: Chiefs Kingdom, Yankees Universe, C of Red.
Exp:
My Grandpa was at Juno beach. All he ever told me about was this.
Quote:
I quit school because I thought going over and fighting the Germans would be a lot more fun. Dumbest thing I ever did.......When we got to the beach and the Germans started shooting at us. I told my CO "OK, I've had enough I want to go home now." My CO just told me to get my ass in the water.
He would talk a lot about being in the army. But he would never talk about combat.
June 6 1944
