Soldato
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- 16 Aug 2009
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Its a failure of education I wasn't there either but by god I was made sure I knew exactly what it meant and the sacrifice of those involved.
D-day landings anniversary today
- Thread starter GGizmo
- Start date
It's rather sad that one of the most important days in European history seems not to be celebrated with the granduer it should.
Other than an odd facebook post and this thread I would have had no idea it was the 80th anniversary.
As a nation we should be hanging our heads that it's not been made into a one-off public holiday.
Other than an odd facebook post and this thread I would have had no idea it was the 80th anniversary.
As a nation we should be hanging our heads that it's not been made into a one-off public holiday.
Born in 1979 and I have an interest in WW2 history I can just accept and understand why others of my generation and even more so the next don’t know all the details!
Where do you draw the line on one off public holidays then though there are many important dates in history and major anniversaries every year.
Associate
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On a related topic, the stories behind Victoria Cross winners absolutely fascinate me, especially after seeing the headstone of one of only three people to be awarded two of them when I went on a visit to Northern France.
Jeremy Clarkson has done some excellent documentaries after his interest was sparked finding out his father in law had one but never told anyone…
Jeremy Clarkson has done some excellent documentaries after his interest was sparked finding out his father in law had one but never told anyone…
Well it’s an important one and the reason we are alive and not speaking German or indeed Russian!! Probably beats
Caporegime
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Multiculturalism. Don't want to offend anyone.
Yea, WW2 was a very multicultural fight, with millions of people from other cultures fighting side by side against fascism.
This after a night shift, and driving because jnr rank was great fun. Pretty sure I nearly crashed a few times.
Been alright if there was at least some decent grub on the way!
Associate
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- Cheltenham
Sounds like the same place - I had to do it after a night shift on the day I was flying home, to quote admin: “just in case you’re delayed…”
Permabanned
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'79 here also, fascinated with history and WW2, both grand parents served (no longer here) and my parents both served in the Navy, Dad was in the Falklands in '82, it grinds my gears when younger people show a complete lack of the respect for the sacrifice that generation made to secure their future. I watched my annual WW2 movie last night, this time it was Saving Private Ryan.
I see your point but on this occasion I feel that a public holiday for this is more than warranted. It's one of the most important historic events in Europe in recent history
'81 for me. Despite a lacklustre attempt at teaching WW2 to us at school (more because the teacher was a dullard, former PE teacher with all the personality of a wet lettuce) I find myself fascinated by naval warfare. Which is bizarre as I can't swim and absolutely terrified of open water.
My grandfather served, fought and was awarded bravery medals, one for capturing 9 German soldiers single-handed. The truth is they surrendered to him whilst he didn't have his weapon but his commander was having none of it.
Growing up in Cornwall and on the Roseland specifically, found this article interesting -> https://nmmc.co.uk/2024/05/d-day-preparations-at-falmouth-the-fal-and-the-helford/
My folks house is within walking distance of Turnaware point and Smugglers Cottage (There used to be a small exhibition around the D-Day activities in the area down there) and used to go to Trebah with grandparents etc. So have walked down the concrete paths re-treading those steps a fair few times. Always outstands me that there isn't more information available to people on the part these places played in D-Day and just small memorial stones, but that could probably be said for a lot of places that contributed to the war effort in WW2.
My folks house is within walking distance of Turnaware point and Smugglers Cottage (There used to be a small exhibition around the D-Day activities in the area down there) and used to go to Trebah with grandparents etc. So have walked down the concrete paths re-treading those steps a fair few times. Always outstands me that there isn't more information available to people on the part these places played in D-Day and just small memorial stones, but that could probably be said for a lot of places that contributed to the war effort in WW2.
the thing is the deeper you look into it the more grim and vile the details get, I used to do a load of research into various wars and you need a strong stomach for it if your getting into details. Its properly vile stuff
Aye, I agree.
Nothing against our current military, I'm sure even our worst solders are worth at least 50 of any foreign equivalent.
But if the **** hit the fan and your average Joe public needed to fight the thought is terrifying because I look around at most blokes thinking they wouldn't last 5 seconds.
Maybe the same is true for other countries, I don't know.