D-Day

[Lee M]

Imagine if one of these young men was your son on the morning of 6 June 1944. They all look like kids and it was likely the last few minutes of there life. Thank you to the “greatest generation” and all who have served on AH for making the world a better place!
Lee M. USN ret.

 

[Red Leg]

You as well Naval Person.

To all our absent comrades.

Joe T. USA ret.

 

[LiegeRiver]

Lest We Forget. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.
Gord Trelnuk
Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry ret.

 

[BenKK]

Late to reply but I did think about the event on the 6th and am extremely grateful for the liberation that followed in the months after.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I saw on TV where a 97 year old airborne again parachuted over the same place he did on D-Day. He landed hard and came up smiling. Yep, he still has 'em.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I was at Normandy on the 50th anniversary year later in May. We had a service lead by a Dutchman who was 14 on D-Day. It was a very humbling experience. Brought tears to all of those there.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I saw on TV where a 97 year old airborne again parachuted over the same place he did on D-Day. He landed hard and came up smiling. Yep, he still has 'em.

I watched that as well. All guts.

 

[BRICKBURN]

......... They all look like kids and it was likely the last few minutes of there life. ..........

My Grandfather lied about his age to "get in the fight" in the first war. He was 14. After being injured during some shelling he was sent him home by a Doctor that did not believe his story.
I remember all the young people in those wars at every opportunity and say Thank you.

 

[meigsbucks]

These men were part of the the greatest amphibious assault in the history of the world. Their action, over the next year, defeated Hitler and the Nazi army, bringing an end to the war in Europe.
When the news was showing the US cemetery and all of the rows of crosses, how could you not only shed a tear, but beam with pride at what they accomplished?
What brave men. They were truly part of the greatest generation.

 

[PARA45]

God Bless them all. This is indeed the greatest generation, not only what they did in the battle field, but for what they did when they came home.

OEL. USAF Ret.

 

[Mort Hill]

God Bless them all. This is indeed the greatest generation, not only what they did in the battle field, but for what they did when they came home.

OEL. USAF Ret.

Amen!

 

[WAB]

A number of years ago I was getting my tires changed and struck up a conversation with an older gentleman. It turns out we both loved to fly and he told me about learning to fly in WWII. The pilots in the group will appreciate how incredible this is:

- his first solo before 10 hours, in a tail dragger!
- into a fighter at 17 hours!
- first carrier landing at 40 hours. He and two buddies landed. He made it, the second died, the third crashed, broke his back and shipped home.
- he flew dive bombers at midway. Their squadron commander made them dive much steeper than what the airframe was rated for to reduce losses to jap fire on the attack run. So steep the rivets would pop in the root of the wings and have to be checked/repaired after every run. Dive hard, pull up, drop your load, fly out on the deck under the bow of the target to avoid AA.
What do you say to that? These guys were all heroes!

 

[CAustin]

Truly these were the bravest of the brave. From a distant land come to free the good French people who suffered through Nazi occupation. Come to aid the British who withstood the Nazi onslaught almost by themselves for three years. In boats and in planes they came by the thousands to fight and sacrifice at a place most had never heard of before.
History tells us that Sir Winston Churchill had proclaimed to parliament that the British people would never surrender and that they would fight on until the end if need be or until the “New World” in all its might came forth to once again liberate the “Old”. So it was that so many young men went to do their duty on the beaches of Normandy.
I can not imagine the horrors they saw nor the pains they experienced! I do know for sure without any imagination that the hero’s of D Day spilled their blood for the cause of freedom.
My father, would be 101 this July, was not at Normandy but served in the Pacific theater. He never spoke much of the ugliness of war but he saw his share. He taught his children to love our country and to never forget the fallen that gave us the freedom we enjoy.
Thank you to all those who gave of themselves and served this nation in Uniform.

 

[JimP]

A number of years ago I was getting my tires changed and struck up a conversation with an older gentleman. It turns out we both loved to fly and he told me about learning to fly in WWII. The pilots in the group will appreciate how incredible this is:

- his first solo before 10 hours, in a tail dragger!
- into a fighter at 17 hours!
- first carrier landing at 40 hours. He and two buddies landed. He made it, the second died, the third crashed, broke his back and shipped home.
- he flew dive bombers at midway. Their squadron commander made them dive much steeper than what the airframe was rated for to reduce losses to jap fire on the attack run. So steep the rivets would pop in the root of the wings and have to be checked/repaired after every run. Dive hard, pull up, drop your load, fly out on the deck under the bow of the target to avoid AA.
What do you say to that? These guys were all heroes!

There are times when I read something like this when I wonder just how did they get into the cockpit and sit in the seat of those planes.

Their cahonas were larger than watermelons.