70 th anniversary of D-Day

[Nicos]

It's a huge event over here at the moment....and today is the day.

Please give a thought to it...and maybe spend a bit of time finding out what actually happened over the following 3 months to the guys who managed to survive the landings.

I have already shed many tears when I realised what actually went on, and how many soldiers (and civilians) were killed.

...today is certainly a day to reflect upon.

[Bal]

Have been watching the Great British Menu here, and it really makes you realise what an absolutely terrible time it was. They have been inviting a veteran to judge the menus every week and the stories they tell are really heart wrenching. Some of the soldiers were only 15 when the landed on D Day. We have a great nation, thanks to them. I certainly am grateful for there're sacrifice.

[Ja9]

I have been listening to personal accounts on the radio and found it amazing.It all seemed very distant history to me as I have no family members directly involved but this has made it seem so real and human.

[Nannysally99]

It's been on the TV this morning. So poignant, we always knew there would be a last time because of their ages.

[mrswadders]

they will never be forgotton.......

[Plot10]

We visited Arromanches (sp?) a couple of years ago and it's such a beautiful little village that it's hard to imagine the chaos and horror that must have reigned 70 years ago. If it wasn't for the very visible remains of the Mulberry harbour it would be easy to think that it had always been that peaceful.

My late father wasn't involved in D-Day but he was evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940 and we visited there too, I couldn't help but wonder exactly where he had embarked from and how hellish those hours must have been. I was too young when he died for me to ask him about it but I really wish I knew more.

[Nicos]

Yep...it's a lovely place to visit and very thought provoking .
We took my mom there a couple of years ago and she burst into tears looking at the remains of the harbour. She said she remembered listening to the radio with heart in mouth as a child whilst the day progressed.

[dogsbody]

A day that must never be forgotten. Many paid the price on both sides.

I hadn't realised Mulberry was still there, one of my grandfathers helped build them but fortunately didn't sail with them.

[mrswadders]

Have just been listening to the Chris Evans show on radio 2 with tears running down my cheeks

[veggiechicken]

We visited the Normandy beaches and war cemeteries many years ago. Very moving. My uncle, whom I never met, is buried there.
A friend used to own one of the "little ships" - a fishing boat that went across to Normandy to help with the evacuation - it was a tiny little thing, hardly more than a cabin with space to sit.. Every man there was a hero,

[binley100]

We visited Utah beach a few years ago . We walked out onto the beach , it was so eerie you could almost hear the echos of events happening. Heart wrenchingly sad.......

Never forget...

[Compo72]

The programme about battle of Normandy will be worth a watch on bbc2 too




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[Nicos]

When is that Compo?

[Potstubsdustbins]

When I was in the army back in the 70s I used to go to old comrades meetings and talk to the guys who were actually there. They had some awful tales to tell like the chap who got three tanks shot from under him in less than a fortnight. Then again because they were not fighting 24/7 they had some funny yarns to spin to. I remember one chap showed me a picture of his Sherman and I noticed a basket like structure on the rear of the turret. Turns out the ban on looting didn't quite work when it came to food and this was a portable chicken pen, he reckoned most tanks had one.

[bearded bloke]

Some clever & very thought provoking photo's here ......... D-Day Landing Sites Then And Now: 11 Striking Images That Bring The Past And Present Together