D-day 1944 June 6

[flapjack]

Was in the neighborhood Market yesterday and we, wife and I were coversing with the check-out girl. I happened to mention that D-day date was the day before the stores promotion. Well a 40 smething in line behind me said "isn't that when Pearl Harbor was attacked? "Sheesh what are they teaching in history classes since the mid 50's
I almost always flie the flag on that day

[Bravo Five Romeo]

Hey, the schools were still teaching back then.
Unfortunately, there were always some people who just didn't want to learn.
There are just more of them now.

[SN]

Hey, the schools were still teaching back then.
Unfortunately, there were always some people who just didn't want to learn.
There are just more of them now.

I think they are called teachers.

:D

[Red Flag 1]

flapjack,

Yep...been there. Wal-Mart check out a year ago. The only thing I could think of at the time was to relate that Pearl Harbor was "Tora Tora Tora". D-day was "Saving Private Ryan". That made it easier. Which one was first? Well "Tora Tora Tora", it came out before "Saving Private Ryan". That day I was a history teacher!

RF 1

[Bravo Five Romeo]

In my first leg infantry unit we were tasked to do the Sinai mission as peacekeepers back in the 80's.
So we spent a good two months before deployment preparing... learning new ROE, taking classes on the history and culture of the region, doing field exercises on simulate outposts, etceteras.

I had one guy in my squad that ws dumber than shit, slept all the time, doodled during all the classes, and so on. Fucker was so dumb, we had to call him by his first name, Ricky, because when we called him by his last name, he wouldn't repond. He didn't know we were talking to him.
I shit you not.

We get to the Sinai, and our first day we're standing in formation in front or our company HQ trailer and we're being issued and signing for flack vests and pre-counted ammo in loaded magazines. As everyone is putting magazines in their pouches and looping their LBE through the vests, Ricky turns to me and, in a serious tone, asks me a question.

In a quiet concerned voice, he said "Hey Rafferty, can I ask you something?"
I was surprised he had anything he was interested in.
This was the first time I'd ever heard him express and interest in wanting to know something.
So I said, "Sure Ricky. What is it?"
I swear this is what he asked... after the many weeks of training in the field and in the classroom before the deployment...
He said, "I'm confused... are we at war with Egypt or Israel?"
It didn't set my mind at ease watching him put live magazines in his pouches as he was saying this.
Me and a couple of guys had to take him aside and explain that we weren't at war with anyone.
He eventually got it, but i was amazed that someone could be that dumb that they had to be personally sat down and told something so obvious.

[Bravo Five Romeo]

flapjack,

Yep...been there. Wal-Mart check out a year ago. The only thing I could think of at the time was to relate that Pearl Harbor was "Tora Tora Tora". D-day was "Saving Private Ryan". That made it easier. Which one was first? Well "Tora Tora Tora", it came out before "Saving Private Ryan". That day I was a history teacher!

RF 1
I was at a videostore in the early 90's (just a few years after the Gulf War, and there were a couple of Rhodes Scholars looking at a copy of the comedy movie HOT SHOTS part 2. Both geniuses were in their mid 20's.

On the back cover of the box was an actor dressed as Saddam Hussein.
Genius one pointed at the actor dressed as Saddam and said to his friend Genius two "Yo, that's suposed to be that dude from that war thing." :rolleyes:

[Red Flag 1]

Bravo,

Bill Clinton was a Rhodes Schalor too.

[Parajuevos]

If you'll indulge me I'd like to share a small article that I wrote for our local Elks Club newsletter, a few years ago, when I was the Veterans Chairman. The only thing that I will change is the number of years that it has been since that great day, in 1944.
----------------------------
Sixty Four years ago, on a gray, cold and windy day, thousands of allied servicemen scurried down cargo nets,into waiting landing craft, off the Normandy Coast of France.

Some of them were seasick. All of them were scared.

The morning silence was shattered, as Naval Warships pounded German shore batteries.

The LCIs began their journey's into hell, carrying green, young untested soldiers,as well as veterans of previous campaigns.

Naval Combat Demolition Units and Army Engineers preceded the Infantry and under murderous enemy artillery and machinegun fire began blowing up beach obstacles.

Landing craft disintegrated and men drowned.

Those who made it to shore were cut to pieces .

Some units suffered nearly 100% casualties.

Inland, paratroopers and glidermen secured bridgeheads and fought blocking movements, impeding German reinforcments from reaching the coast.

With garands, carbines,grenades and bangalores, the troops clawed their way up the beaches of Omaha, Utah, Sword, Gold and Juno and scaled the cliffs of Point du Hoc.

They displayed valor beyond belief and at the end of "The Longest Day,"they prevailed but still faced many more months of hardship, sorrow and sacrifice.

Today, June 6, 2008, is not a cold, windy and stormy day, at least not in my neck of the woods. It is sunny and warm. Explosions and machine gun fire are not ripping the air, as they were 64 years ago, in France. The only noise that I hear comes from the chirping of birds, in my yard,as I prepare to display the American Flag, in front of my house. I display the flag, in gratitude and with respect to those brave souls, who, so long ago, sacrificed so much that I might enjoy the sunshine today.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two days from now, on June 6th, I will spend the afternoon with my friend Lou, who had two Destroyers sunk out from beneath him in World War 2. He needs a ride to VA for a doctors appointment and has no family left. It will be an honor and a privilege to be able to spend the day with the old warrior.

[Bravo Five Romeo]

Bravo,

Bill Clinton was a Rhodes Schalor too.

uh... okay. :confused:

[Red Flag 1]

For those who do not see the "Static Line", there is a list of 47 WW II vets singed up for the 2009 Europe Trip, Operation Soixant-Cinq...."by all the remaining original invaders". While the trip will be to places in Europe, the focal point of the entire trip is the WW II veterans.

I may sign up to attent, and provide assistance as best I can for the veterans.

RF 1

[Parajuevos]

For those who do not see the "Static Line", there is a list of 47 WW II vets singed up for the 2009 Europe Trip, Operation Soixant-Cinq...."by all the remaining original invaders". While the trip will be to places in Europe, the focal point of the entire trip is the WW II veterans.

I may sign up to attent, and provide assistance as best I can for the veterans.

RF 1

That would be a very good thing to do. The old vets will appreciate that and the help you give these warriors will allow you to go back in time and share history, with those who courageously made it.

[Johan]

He eventually got it, but i was amazed that someone could be that dumb that they had to be personally sat down and told something so obvious.

And one of the great irony of the world of the Soldier, if you were wounded in open ground and there are soviet 15cm HE falling all around you, he would probably be first to run to you to drag you to cover.

He may drag you to enemy cover, losing his direction. But as said in english- "It is the thought that counts." ;)

Regards,

[grog18b]

Haha RF1... If you are searching for intelligent life on this planet... Wal Mart is not the place to start looking for it... :)

Surprisingly, many of the kids my older daughters age (21) know about D-Day, mostly in part to the MOH series of games... Oh well, whatever gets the lessons across.

I believe all schools should include field trips to VA hospitals, and sponsor some of the old vets to come to schools to teach for a day or so, to provide some real life experiences. I volunteer my services as "disciplinary officer for a day". I'll take care of educating the poor kids with "ADD"

[eltrane]

My 11 year old son is doing his 'big' school report on the June 5/6th invasion, I am pretty proud of the effort he's putting into it.

[TX teacher]

Surprisingly, many of the kids my older daughters age (21) know about D-Day, mostly in part to the MOH series of games... Oh well, whatever gets the lessons across.



I teach 8th grade US History. So we don't actually "teach" from 187-present because we are only tested on discovery-1876. (Standardized testing, don't get me started).

But after the testing is over, we still have another four weeks of school. So I indulge in teaching some 20the century stuff. I have actually used references to the MOH games as a way to illustrate points or talk about the time period. Sadly, kids can't just sit and get anymore...we have to be interactive and all that crap.

I've got to admit, I've played the games so it helps.:o

[Parajuevos]

The newreel footage that I continually play over in my head is the scene where two or three soldiers emerge from the surf.

One is shot and goes down. One of the others is shot and goes to his knees.

When I see that footage of that unknown soldier being shot and apparently killed it really makes me take pause.

The questions that always come to mind when I see this footage are;

"Who was that soldier?"

"What was his name and where was he from?"

"Was he married and did he have a family or was he a kid, who had just graduated from high school,the previous year, leaving only grieving parents and siblings?"

"What must his family and loved ones have felt, if they found out, later, that it was he who fell, before their eyes, on that newreel, long ago, perhaps in some midwestern movie theater, or maybe a southern town or northern city?"

"Are his siblings still alive?" Perhaps they're elderly people, who catch a glimpse of his demise, on the history channel, when it is shown now and again. It's on frequently. Most people just sit and watch it in a detached way;this death of a human being, who never even got the chance to fire on those who killed him, 64 years ago. Who was this man or was he a kid?

Who was that soldier, I ask? I wonder how many others ask the same question?

[TX teacher]

^^^I ask myself that same thing. Glad to know I'm not the only one who wonders about that. Sadly it's virtually impossible to know about him. I alway ask myself when I see clips from any war if that particular soldier survived. I've always wondered what the story of their life might be.

[eltrane]

The newreel footage that I continually play over in my head is the scene where two or three soldiers emerge from the surf.

Same here. I think about the film that Robert Capa shot on that day, and wonder what the images were that are now lost, from what I understand the film was ruined and the only image is the blurry one of a soldier in the water very close to one of the iron obstacles.

[Parajuevos]

^^^I ask myself that same thing. Glad to know I'm not the only one who wonders about that. Sadly it's virtually impossible to know about him. I alway ask myself when I see clips from any war if that particular soldier survived. I've always wondered what the story of their life might be.

Here's one that will make you happy.

You know that famous picture of General Eisenhower talking to a Lieutentant and some other Paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division, as they prepared to get on the C 47s for the Invasion on June 5, 1944? For years I wondered who that trooper and those standing with him were.

When I visited President Eisenhowers boyhood home and museum in Abilene, Kansas, in 1999, I found out who that guy was and am happy to report that he made it through the war. He was Lt. Wallace Strobel, whose uniform, the one he wore on D Day,was on display in a glass case. With the uniform was a small compass about a half inch in diameter, his military I.D. card and I believe a cloth map of Normandy. He had sent these items to the museum.

Ironically, it was Lt. Strobels 23rd birthday and he had a placard on his chest designating that he was on plane #23.

Also on display, was the hand written note which Ike had scribbled, taking full responsibility for the "failure of the invasion." When the invasion was successful he wadded it up and threw it in the round file, where a subordinate, who had seen what he had done,retrieved it and made it part of history.

[English]

The only thing I could think of at the time was to relate that Pearl Harbor was "Tora Tora Tora". D-day was "Saving Private Ryan". That made it easier. Which one was first? Well "Tora Tora Tora", it came out before "Saving Private Ryan". That day I was a history teacher!

That is so sad I really don't know what to think. Hearing stuff like this makes me much more worried for the future of our nation than most of the politic actions going on.

[Boats]

Thank you, Rosey Richardson, for being in Sicily, Palermo, and Monte Cassino, and for being my high school history teacher. Your stories didn't make much of a dent to me, a teen, then, but I'm sixty now, and I know I can never repay the debt I owe you.

And thank you, folks, for reminding me.

[Parajuevos]

Same here. I think about the film that Robert Capa shot on that day, and wonder what the images were that are now lost, from what I understand the film was ruined and the only image is the blurry one of a soldier in the water very close to one of the iron obstacles.

Capa was a gutsy guy. He went in on the 1st wave. He was back in London the same night. He gave his priceless photos to the photo lab and some assistant who was in a hurry to see them got careless and ruined most of them.

Capa later jumped into Germany, with the 17th Airborne Division, on Operation Varsity.

He was killed in Indo China, (Vietnam) covering the French in their war with the Communists. I think the year was 1954.

His younger brother, also a photo journalist of much renown, just died last week.

The blurry image of the soldier in the surf isn't the only one that survived. There are several more, but the majority were destroyed.

[Typhoon]

I teach 8th grade US History. So we don't actually "teach" from 187-present because we are only tested on discovery-1876. (Standardized testing, don't get me started)...But after the testing is over, we still have another four weeks of school. So I indulge in teaching some 20the century stuff. I have actually used references to the MOH games as a way to illustrate points or talk about the time period. Sadly, kids can't just sit and get anymore...we have to be interactive and all that crap.
At the middle school where I used to work the Social Studies faculty did teach modern U.S. History to the 8th graders, including bringing in three local men who were combatants at Iwo Jima. They did an excellent job, and the kids were very respectful. I've mentioned it in past threads, but I never cease to be amazed at how our young people have significantly less perspective on the past than during my childhood.

In the neighborhood where I grew up, many of the kids had a good knowledge of the Second World War because we were less than a generation removed from the events; and all of our family members had been in the war or lived through it. We heard about what happened in Anzio, Normandy, Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Nagasaki, and the first massive use of air warfare in history from people who had actually been there.

When I returned to working with young people after some time away, I was struck by how little knowledge they had of late 20th Century events that affect where we are today-- Events that I took for granted that people just knew.

In some cases the events are being taught, but not to an audience willing to listen. The reasons for that are, it seems to me, many.

One of the personnel here is a Normandy vet. He will not discuss what he did or what happened, as it is still to this day too upsetting for him to talk about. With an "M-1 Thumb", there is no question that he has btdt; and he willingly shares the off duty and noncombatant stories with ease. I have a good relationship with him, and I am so hoping to get him to open up and talk about what he saw because in a few years no one will be left to tell the story, and pass on what our country went through during that time...

God Bless all those who were on that beach 64 years ago this day, and who are still here to tell the stories about it...

[Parajuevos]

Salute to Tom Hart,glider pilot, Nick Vavuris, infantryman and Harry Scoles infantryman.

Tom and Nick are in heaven. Harry still hangs out at the VFW.

This is your day, as it is the day of thousands of other once brave kids, from the United States, the UK and Canada, who stormed those beaches, scaled those cliffs, crash landed those gliders and jumped out of big iron birds and pulled the free peoples of the world out of the death grip of the Nazi's.

Thanks for your sacrifice. I and many others would never have been born if it hadn't been for you.

[Husker19D30]

At 0630 6 June 1944 B Company 743rd Tank Battallion attached to the 116th Infantry landed on Dog White and Dog Green sectors of Omaha Beach.

My great uncle Corporal Herbert Leonard Ulrich was a radio operator assigned to that unit.

Their DD tanks were foundering and sinking, and the men were being shot to pieces by MG42s and mortars.

Uncle Leonard got on the radio and communicated their situation, allowing bombardment by supporting destroyers, and eventually helped to achieve the breakout in those sectors. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions that morning. Unfortunately this award was posthumous. He was struck and killed by enemy fire before he himself could get off the beach.

The University of Nebraska and Barney Oldfield endowed an agricultural scholarship (http://www.oldfields.org/philanthropy/education/univ_ne_indiv/nebraska_normandy.html#btt) in his name.

[jsmurphy]

God bless them all...

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-5/1013806/AerialViewOfOmahaCemetery.jpg

[OldSwabbie]

How disgraceful..

We hear "We love our troops, we support our troops!". But I'm having trouble finding a spread ANYWHERE commemorating the Normandy Invasion by a major news outlet. Maybe on the news tonight there will be something....I HOPE! I see a Bi-line here and there but thats it. I'm ashamed to say even Foxnews is too busy talking about a Jihadist in our Midst to stop for a few minutes to pay tribute to "The Greatest Generation" and the one of the most pivotal points in modern history.

My wife and I grocery shop and I see older men with their wives doing the same. They have on ball caps that identify them as veterans of WWII. Many times our eyes will meet, a slight nod is all it takes ~ we both know. No words are needed, a silent handshake between two men, two brothers separated by generations but still bonded by the same love of Country.


What a disgrace that todays editors are "too busy" to STOP and post some of those old drab black and white pictures of those wind and bullet swept beaches of Normady so that we can reflect on what we have...what we've almost lost.

OldSwabbie
<oldswabbie gets off his soapbox>

[Parajuevos]

At 0630 6 June 1944 B Company 743rd Tank Battallion attached to the 116th Infantry landed on Dog White and Dog Green sectors of Omaha Beach.

My great uncle Corporal Herbert Leonard Ulrich was a radio operator assigned to that unit.

Their DD tanks were foundering and sinking, and the men were being shot to pieces by MG42s and mortars.

Uncle Leonard got on the radio and communicated their situation, allowing bombardment by supporting destroyers, and eventually helped to achieve the breakout in those sectors. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions that morning. Unfortunately this award was posthumous. He was struck and killed by enemy fire before he himself could get off the beach.

The University of Nebraska and Barney Oldfield endowed an agricultural scholarship (http://www.oldfields.org/philanthropy/education/univ_ne_indiv/nebraska_normandy.html#btt) in his name.

God Bless your uncle and all who fell with him.

The 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division was very hard hit.

One of the most tragic stories that I know about is that of A Company. 35 men from Bedford Va., population 3800, were in that Company and died in the first 10 minutes of the invasion.

Of the 197 men of A Company, 96% were killed or wounded. It is my guess that B company and all of the other company's in the 116th suffered the same fate.

I still find it amazing that anyone was able to get ashore on that hellish morning.

[CAP MARINE]

carl d.proffitt-116th regt.29ID.made it!,first wave,Omaha.

[triumph]

Who was that soldier, I ask? I wonder how many others ask the same question?

Agreed, I often wonder as well, especially when I pay my respects at the memorials. They each have a story.

[Fofo]

Sixty-four years ago, hundreds of thousands of men began an invasion that would be decisive in destroying the Third Reich. And yet despite this, I can find nothing commemerating June 6th.

Nothing on the news, no articles in the newspaper, (our house gets the Toronto Star, quite a hippie-ish newspaper and not too suprising, IMO) only the History Channel is playing doccumentaries to mark this day.

However, a Spitfire Mark XVI and Lancaster flew over my house just a half hour ago.

Thank-you all, to soldiers and partisans of all nationalities, for your service and courage. And thank-you to the many thousands who made the ultimate sacrifice.

[burt160]

Robert Capa was one helluva photographer no doubt!

A pretty decent tribute to him and his accomplishments with a camera (including D-Day photos) follows:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0r84f154Wo

[OldSwabbie]

Sixty-four years ago, hundreds of thousands of men began an invasion that would be decisive in destroying the Third Reich. And yet despite this, I can find nothing commemerating June 6th.


I know ~ I was commenting on that earlier.. its just disgusting how their memory is being treated. I suppose this evening on the news they will give a "passing" footnote to it. Each year it will be less and less. But the sacrifices made will be no less ~ but in my eyes each year the men become even greater.

OldSwabbie

[Red Flag 1]

Fofo,

Yep! The History channel has carried some good stuff today about D-Day. I am a little disappointed that The Longest Day or Saving Private Ryan have seen no air time on D-Day.

RF 1

[OldSwabbie]

Fofo,

Yep! The History channel has carried some good stuff today about D-Day. I am a little disappointed that The Longest Day or Saving Private Ryan have seen no air time on D-Day.

RF 1

Even Google, they put up different banners and such for holidays and even goofy shit...you would think they could do SOMETHING... a beach with some landing craft... I mean come on.. IT'S D-DAY for Goodness Sake! Are we the only one's getting bent out of shape about this?

Oldswabbie

[Parajuevos]

Sixty-four years ago, hundreds of thousands of men began an invasion that would be decisive in destroying the Third Reich. And yet despite this, I can find nothing commemerating June 6th.

Nothing on the news, no articles in the newspaper, (our house gets the Toronto Star, quite a hippie-ish newspaper and not too suprising, IMO) only the History Channel is playing doccumentaries to mark this day.

However, a Spitfire Mark XVI and Lancaster flew over my house just a half hour ago.

Thank-you all, to soldiers and partisans of all nationalities, for your service and courage. And thank-you to the many thousands who made the ultimate sacrifice.

I was sitting in my living room yesterday and I heard a familiar sound. The same one I heard last year around this time.

I knew instantly what it was and ran out into the street and saw a B-17 Flying Fortress gracefully flying by. I never get tired of that sight.

[CAP MARINE]

kind of like when i hear a Huey.

[Gypsy]

God bless them all...


Amen. That picture always takes my breath away...

Our Nation and the world is forever indebted...may we never forget.

[Fofo]

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is in Hamilton, about 40 miles from where I am. With that said, it's great since nearly every flyable aircraft from there will fly over my house at least once a year. Something else flew over the downtown core when I was shopping, looked like a Hawker Hurricane. the Lanc flying over is a real treat, just one of two in flyable condition and the other is in the UK.

I can't imagine the emotions it must stir in a WW2 vet to see and hear those old but immaculate condition warbirds as they pass over, but this time there is no enemy to shoot at in the distance.

History Television did a good job with the doccumentaries. One was about the slaughter that was Omaha Beach as well as one that really stuck-out, called Bloody Normandy. It focused on when the Canadian Army units went further inland and the heavy losses the took going head-to-head with the Germans. Primarily the 12th SS Panzer Division.

This Sunday will be a Band of Brothers marathon. Looking forwards to it since I have not seen the first four episodes.

Hopefully next year there will be more recogniction for those who fought and died for our freedom, but I won't hold my breath.