D-Day, the 6th of June 1944

[Mike Henderson]

Just a reminder, today is the anniversary of the D-Day invasion, the return of the Allies to Europe. It was brave men who struggled ashore into that withering fire.

Mike

[The photo is public domain]
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[Pat Barry]

It was a truly incredible event. What thoughts must have gone through the minds of those soldiers at that time? Unfathomable - courage such as that is something no one can truly understand without actually experiencing it. I can only salute them and thank them for what each and every one did that day.

[Von Bickley]

When thinking about D-Day, World War 2, Korea, Viet Nam, and the Twin Towers, these are all reasons for us to "Never Forget".......

[Rod Sheridan]

Just a reminder, today is the anniversary of the D-Day invasion, the return of the Allies to Europe. It was brave men who struggled ashore into that withering fire.

Mike

[The photo is public domain]
338704

Thanks for the reminder.

My father never spoke of bravery, he did speak of fear and confusion, and luck, on the extremely rare times he said anything about the war.

He also never watched any war films, or volunteered that he had served overseas, nor did he ever wear his uniform to Remembrance Day ceremonies.

When I was little we were walking to the Cenotaph when I noticed I had lost my poppy and started crying, Dad gave me his, then I was worried that other people would think he wasn't remembering the war. Years later I realized how silly that was, how could he have forgotten the worst 6 years of his life?

When my Mom died in 2010, I cleaned out the house, found some service records, a uniform and a wedding photo, the only one I have of Dad in uniform. It's a surprise to realize what a handsome couple they made, and oh my gosh, were they young!

The 3 boys in his family came home without injury, darn lucky.

I once read "The Greatest Generation", after looking at all the relatives and friends whose parents were of that generation, I would have titled the book "The Broken Generation".

Growing up during the depression most had their aspirations thwarted due to lack of income and the inability to afford an education. Then the war came, robbing the lucky of their remaining childhood/early adulthood, and the unlucky of their lives.

They returned to a society that slipped backed into conformism, leaving them to work, be quiet about their mental injuries from the war, shut up, work, raise your family, do what was expected of you in the very narrow social norms of the period. They were a generation that received far less than we have.

As my oldest brother said when my Mom died, "They were a generation forced to be of sterner stuff".

While we appreciate their accomplishments, it's a good time to reflect on why we have to endeavor to never repeat those circumstances............Regards, Rod.

[Von Bickley]

Most veterans that I know, that served in really bad combat situations, don't talk about it........

[Stew Hagerty]

My Uncle Gerald was an Army Ranger who landed on Omaha Beach. As Rangers, his Platoon was one of the first ashore. They were charged with getting close enough to take out German bunkers. My Uncle was the only man to survive from his entire Platoon, and he was gravely wounded. He lived the rest of his life with shrapnel so close to his heart that they were afraid to operate, and emphysema from German gas. But, they took two of the bunkers out, saving countless lives.
For their part in the D-Day Invasion, his Platoon was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. He personally was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross as well as the Purple Heart. Prior to D-Day, he had already received an Army Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star while serving under Patton. I credit my interest in history and my strong sense of patriotism to listening to his stories growing up.

[Mike Null]

My dad and 9 uncles served; 3 in the Pacific, 2 in North Africa and the rest in Europe and England. All made it back, 4 with wounds. They never spoke of the war, never wore their uniforms after discharge and, except for my Dad who went into the National Guard, none had anything further to do with the military. They were very much the same as Rod described and while I hadn't quite reached my 6th birthday when Pearl Harbor was bombed as I think back I am reminded how much our family resembled the Joad family circumstances in the Grapes of Wrath. Maybe not quite that bad off but it must have been a struggle.

I do agree with Brokaw's Greatest Generation title though. Oh yeah, I never heard a single complaint from any of them.

[Mike Henderson]

Looking back home, think about what it must have been like in the US, Canada, or the UK for the people following the news. Reports were sketchy back then. They would have gotten news that the invasion was on, but it would have been a long time before they got news that the landing was successful.

Almost everyone had a family member in the war and they may not have known if that person was involved in the invasion - troops couldn't identify where they were, except generally - from what I've heard.

Mike

[When I was in college, there was an Italian restaurant in the town. On the wall was a framed purple heart citation for their son, who had been killed on June 6, 1944 during the landings.]

[Mike Null]

My mother died shortly after Pearl Harbor and shortly after that my Dad, with 3 kids 6 and under was drafted. We lived with my grandparents who had three other boys plus 3 SIL's serving. We kids were not allowed to utter a peep when the evening news crackled over the old tube radio. I remember Lowell Thomas and a guy named Gabriel Heater being the reporters.

[Dave Anderson NH]

Von, Most of us who served in combat don't talk about it for a variety of reasons. First and foremost is that it is damn near impossible to convey to someone who hasn't experienced it the breadth of emotions, thoughts, sounds, feelings (vibrations), and smells of combat. Concurrent with that it is that it is not necessary to explain it to someone who has been there. Additionally, most people don't really want to know, or they want to know at the most superficial level. This is the prime reason that if veterans talk about combat at all they do so only among themselves and only among close friends. Emotionally, it is a subject we'd rather bury as much as possible. The remembrances are not pleasant ones.

[John T Barker]

I once read "The Greatest Generation", after looking at all the relatives and friends whose parents were of that generation, I would have titled the book "The Broken Generation".

I have to agree there. When I read the book I recall that there were a number of stories of poor souls whose lives fell apart after the was; they couldn't keep a job, drank too much, etc. I think we have seen men that have fought bravely since then but I guess the reasons for the wars weren't so clear...or great.

[Von Bickley]

This says it all......

[Graeme Lunt]

Just a reminder, today is the anniversary of the D-Day invasion, the return of the Allies to Europe. It was brave men who struggled ashore into that withering fire.

Mike

[The photo is public domain]


Not quite, the Soviet Union, who lost by far the largest number of casualties of all the allies, never left Europe. Also other landings had already taken place in 1943 in Italy.

[Mike Henderson]

Not quite, the Soviet Union, who lost by far the largest number of casualties of all the allies, never left Europe. Also other landings had already taken place in 1943 in Italy.
Ah, you're right. Sorry for the bad history.

Graeme points out another fact that doesn't get much publicity in the west: The Soviets defeated the Germans. War on the Eastern front was horrible - for both sides. But the Soviet army and the Russian winter destroyed much of the German army. The western allies would probably never have been able to land at Normandy if the Soviets had not destroyed much of the German army. Somewhere in the order of 100 German divisions were destroyed.

The exact number of Soviet citizens and soldiers killed (not casualties, which included wounded) is unknown but is estimated to be 20 to 25 million. To put that in perspective, the number of United States soldiers and civilians killed in WWII is probably less than 500,000. And that was in two theaters: the European and the Pacific. See here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties)and here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties_of_the_Soviet_Union).

Mike

[But at the same time, WWII made the Soviet Union into a world power. Prior to WWII it was considered fairly backward industrially.]

[Graeme Lunt]

I was going to point that out but decided against it. Some americans seem to take it a bit personally when it's suggested that they weren't solely responsible for the defeat of the Axis powers....

[Frederick Skelly]

Some americans seem to take it a bit personally when it's suggested that they weren't solely responsible for the defeat of the Axis powers....

You're right. I'm not suggesting it's ok, but many don't know any better. I was well out of school when I learned just how badly the nazis had mauled the russians. We'd never been taught. ...... I've found a similar thing to be true about WW-I. Most people don't know that the US really didn't start fighting until about the last year or so of the war. Nor that france lost nearly an entire generation in that war........ If you ever wonder why the European great powers allowed hitler to get away with so much, for so long, go read about WW-I.

I say a grateful "thank you" to all the Allied Armed Forces who saved the world from the Axis.

[Mike Henderson]

You're right. I'm not suggesting it's ok, but many don't know any better. I was well out of school when I learned just how badly the nazis had mauled the russians. We'd never been taught. ...... I've found a similar thing to be true about WW-I. Most people don't know that the US really didn't start fighting until about the last year or so of the war. Nor that france lost nearly an entire generation in that war........ If you ever wonder why the European great powers allowed hitler to get away with so much, for so long, go read about WW-I.

I say a grateful "thank you" to all the Allied Armed Forces who saved the world from the Axis.
I'm going from memory here, but I believe I read somewhere that Britain lost so many well educated men in WWI, men that were badly needed after the war, that they put a prohibition against certain well educated men from serving in front line service in WWII.

It was said about WWI that Britain lost a generation of men to the war.

Mike

[Stew Hagerty]

Von, Most of us who served in combat don't talk about it for a variety of reasons. First and foremost is that it is damn near impossible to convey to someone who hasn't experienced it the breadth of emotions, thoughts, sounds, feelings (vibrations), and smells of combat. Concurrent with that it is that it is not necessary to explain it to someone who has been there. Additionally, most people don't really want to know, or they want to know at the most superficial level. This is the prime reason that if veterans talk about combat at all they do so only among themselves and only among close friends. Emotionally, it is a subject we'd rather bury as much as possible. The remembrances are not pleasant ones.

It wasn't that way with all Veterans. For example, my Uncle Gerald that I spoke of in an earlier post enjoyed telling me the stories. Although, he didn't do it with everyone. We would sit and he would tell me everything in great detail. He was an amazing story teller, and teacher. He went into great detail, not just relating the story, but he would describe the sounds and smells. As I said, he also taught me about history, primarily military history. He had several tails of General Patton that he loved to recount. His favorite was when they were in training. France was filled with hedge rows so they were practicing how to vault over them and come up fighting. Well they were training away and Patton comes rolling up in his Jeep. He watches for a minute and then starts chewing them out for not doing it right. He said, here I'll show you the right way to jump this hedge. He takes a run at it, vaults off the stool (the platform they set up to help them clear the hedge), and soars over the hedge with perfect style. Followed by a loud splash. Here he comes walking back around the hedge covered in mud from head to toe. He stopped in front of them and said THAT is how you vault a hedge! Then he went and got back into his Jeep and off he went. The best part of the story is that as soon as they heard the "splash" they all immediately snapped to attention, and not one of then had even the tiniest hint of a smile, grin, or snicker. Until, that is, his Jeep was out of earshot. Then they all burst out laughing, including their lieutenant.

[Graeme Lunt]

... WWI and Crimea....
Mike

I don't think you really mean the Crimean war in 1853 do you?

[Frederick Skelly]

It was said about WWI that Britain lost a generation of men to the war.

Mike

I'm sure you must be right, Mike - they were both in it equally. The part about france always stuck with me because the article I read said that for years after WW-I, if a french male of "that age" got on a crowded bus in Paris, little old ladies would get up and give him their seat. It was a gesture of respect and a recognition that there were so very few of his age left alive. That really resonated with me.

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi Mike, you only have to read J.R.R. Tolkiens biography to realize how many University students of that generation were lost.............Regards, Rod.

[Stewie Simpson]

For Australia, the First World War remains the costliest conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of whom more than 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner. https://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/ww1/

http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/writing/casualties.asp

[Malcolm McLeod]

For Australia, the First World War remains the costliest conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of whom more than 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner. https://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/ww1/

http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/writing/casualties.asp

"The English will always fight to the last ...Canadian!" (From my reading, this also applied to the Aussies, Scots, Indian, and ....well just insert the colonial of choice.)

My grandfather was Canadian, said the above, and spent most of 4 yrs at a little WWI set-to called Vimy Ridge. He too spoke little of his experiences, other than the endless mud.

[Mike Henderson]

I don't think you really mean the Crimean war in 1853 do you?

Corrected. Should have checked before posting.

Mike

[roger wiegand]

It's not just military. My uncle, a civilian, landed at Normandy on June 7 and worked, under fire, to set up antennas and ground stations for this newfangled thing called RADAR. It wasn't until over 50 years later that he ever mentioned to anyone that he had been awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Truman (the highest civilian honor at the time, not the same thing as the current Presidential Medal of Freedom) for his work on developing and deploying radar systems during the war.

[Paul McGaha]

I really think they were the greatest generation. Very proud that my parents were part of them.

PHM

[Bill Jobe]

Thank you, Veterans, for the freedom that my family and I enjoy today. Bill

[Bill ThompsonNM]

Thanks for the reminder. My father never spoke of bravery, he did speak of fear and confusion, and luck, on the extremely rare times he said anything about the war. He also never watched any war films, or volunteered that he had served overseas, nor did he ever wear his uniform to Remembrance Day ceremonies. When I was little we were walking to the Cenotaph when I noticed I had lost my poppy and started crying, Dad gave me his, then I was worried that other people would think he wasn't remembering the war. Years later I realized how silly that was, how could he have forgotten the worst 6 years of his life? When my Mom died in 2010, I cleaned out the house, found some service records, a uniform and a wedding photo, the only one I have of Dad in uniform. It's a surprise to realize what a handsome couple they made, and oh my gosh, were they young! The 3 boys in his family came home without injury, darn lucky. I once read "The Greatest Generation", after looking at all the relatives and friends whose parents were of that generation, I would have titled the book "The Broken Generation". Growing up during the depression most had their aspirations thwarted due to lack of income and the inability to afford an education. Then the war came, robbing the lucky of their remaining childhood/early adulthood, and the unlucky of their lives. They returned to a society that slipped backed into conformism, leaving them to work, be quiet about their mental injuries from the war, shut up, work, raise your family, do what was expected of you in the very narrow social norms of the period. They were a generation that received far less than we have. As my oldest brother said when my Mom died, "They were a generation forced to be of sterner stuff". While we appreciate their accomplishments, it's a good time to reflect on why we have to endeavor to never repeat those circumstances............Regards, Rod.
Well said Rod, DDay always makes me think of my Dad landing on the beaches of France. He was always quiet about it, at 87 I got a few stories but after he passed I discovered my mother's scrapbooks which included an interview with my dad by a war correspondent. It was a terrible war and I'm sure many suffered silently afterwards for years but still raised a family and worked hard for a living-- as you noted, they really had no choice!

[Curt Harms]

Not quite, the Soviet Union, who lost by far the largest number of casualties of all the allies, never left Europe. Also other landings had already taken place in 1943 in Italy.


That was one nasty fight. I'd not known much about the 'Eastern Front' except from Hogan's Heroes. We got a Roku, subscribed to Hulu and there were a couple Soviet/post Soviet series about the "Great Patriotic War". Once the Red Army began their advance westward and saw what the Germans had done to their conquered lands and people, any inclination to treat captured Germans decently vanished. Something like 100,000 Germans were captured at Stalingrad. They were in bad shape when captured and it didn't get any better. About 5,000 made it back to Germany - 10 years later.

Soviet POWs like Jews and other 'untermenschen' were kept in conditions that guaranteed they would not survive long and a great many didn't. About 6 million Jews perished in the Holocaust but the total body count was by some sources around 13 million. I guess this received short shrift in the West due to the cold war.

[Malcolm McLeod]

Interesting piece of history is in the book "Russia against Napoleon" by Dominic Lieven. (Warning: It is a tough read due to its academic approach.) The Russian mind-set, preparation, actions, and results have amazing parallels between Napoleon and Hitler. And perhaps even provide a peek into Putin's actions?

[Frederick Skelly]

Once the Red Army began their advance westward and saw what the Germans had done to their conquered lands and people, any inclination to treat captured Germans decently vanished. Something like 100,000 Germans were captured at Stalingrad. They were in bad shape when captured and it didn't get any better. About 5,000 made it back to Germany - 10 years later.

I've read two credible sources that say the germans had standing orders to work soviet prisoners to death. Yeah, the nazis had every single bit of what the Russians did to them coming as they pushed west.

As far as keeping those prisoners? Sadly, they weren't the first or the last country to do that. (Many believe it happened in Vietnam.) But germany was under the Allied boot and in complete and total ruin - they couldn't do anything but protest - and nobody cared, especially as they learned of the war crimes. So stalin got away with yet another crime against humanity. Considering how badly Stalin treated his own people when in gulags, it doesn't surprise me that he treated german prisoners even worse.

[Frederick Skelly]

Interesting piece of history is in the book "Russia against Napoleon" by Dominic Lieven. (Warning: It is a tough read due to its academic approach.) The Russian mind-set, preparation, actions, and results have amazing parallels between Napoleon and Hitler. And perhaps even provide a peek into Putin's actions?

Yes, there are definitely parallels.