June 6th, and the early influencers in life

[dellet]

I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s. At that time a few of my school teachers and others were veterans of the war. Through my teens and 20’s I actually started to understand the value of what these guys had to say. Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting another. He wasn’t the older teacher or neighbor that could still get out and roll a bit with the kids. It was hard to hold a conversation as his mind wandered, had to reach down and lift his hand to carefully shake it. After all these years those that are left, still have something to give and teach. I would be much less of a person if I had not met each one of these many man and a few women in my life.

June 6, 1944.
There’s still time to meet a few of the folks that were there

The American Normandy Memorial is already hosting a few today. These photos are from last year.

 

[Krogen]

These men are my heroes.

 

[steve210]

The greatest generation no doubt! We should be eternally grateful for their actions!

 

[M-61]

Certainly I remember June 6th.
However forgotten is April 1944.
‘Exercise Tiger’, at Slapton Sands England.
A trial run for D Day.
A complete disaster resulting in about 1,000 American soldiers being killed. Unknown amount of allies. All due to total incompetence by basically Eisenhower and other allied leaders.
Covered up until about the late 70’s and then finally released in the late 80’s.
Basically covered up.
Relatives merely told their loved ones were MIA. I’m sure many relatives went to their own graves believing their sons, fathers, etc., dies fighting Germans rather than died off a beach in England.
There’s way more to this story.
You only think today’s politicians are great at coverups. They’ve been around forever.

 

[PatMiles]

 

[Doug Casner]

I dont live in a big town but when I was a kid there were a bunch of ww2 vets. Now theres one or 2 . Doug

 

[M-61]

I dont live in a big town but when I was a kid there were a bunch of ww2 vets. Now theres one or 2 . Doug

I’m at the VA at least weekly. Almost no WW2 vets. I’m the only guy it seems not wearing a hat, so it’s easy to spot who was where. The other day here’s what I saw: And I saw him leave, driving himself. Impressive.

 

[nmkid]

I’m at the VA at least weekly. Almost no WW2 vets. I’m the only guy it seems not wearing a hat, so it’s easy to spot who was where. The other day here’s what I saw: And I saw him leave, driving himself. Impressive.

Here is my story about wearing a hat. A few years ago, while at Richmond, VA. VA hospital, I spotted a veteran in a wheelchair wearing a WWII hat. I walked over and shook his hand, and thanked him for his service. He asked where I had served and why I wasn't wearing a hat showing my service. I don't remember what I mumbled as an answer. A few days later, I had a Vietnam Veterans hat, and I now wear that thing everywhere.

 

[dellet]

Certainly I remember June 6th.
However forgotten is April 1944.
‘Exercise Tiger’, at Slapton Sands England.
A trial run for D Day.
A complete disaster resulting in about 1,000 American soldiers being killed. Unknown amount of allies. All due to total incompetence by basically Eisenhower and other allied leaders.
Covered up until about the late 70’s and then finally released in the late 80’s.
Basically covered up.
Relatives merely told their loved ones were MIA. I’m sure many relatives went to their own graves believing their sons, fathers, etc., dies fighting Germans rather than died off a beach in England.
There’s way more to this story.
You only think today’s politicians are great at coverups. They’ve been around forever.

That’s not entirely accurate, yes there was an official order of silence immediately preceding the invasion of Europe, but by the end of the summer there were official releases of information. By then the press simply wasn’t interested in reporting it, and there was a different standard in reporting. Things that were embarrassing were considered off limits, instead of glorified. Books about the incident were actually published within a year of the wars end. There simply was no real public interest until wreckage was found in the 70’s.

Politics aside, those who died in operation Tiger, saved countless lives. It’s at hard to imagine an operation the size of D-Day would be planned in such a way that the key players could not communicate with each other. The complete pooch screw of operation Tiger, changed that.

Many of the days we stop and remember were also the headline grabbers of the day. Days everyone knows. The smaller things that contributed to the big days are often forgotten for lack of reminders. Thank you for reminding me about one of many events that tragically led to the overall success of the war.

Maybe next year during the last week of April, you will be kind enough to post and remind us of this tragedy that played a key role in the success of the June 6 invasion. Those men largely in unmarked or forgotten graves deserve our memory and respect just as much.

 

[M-61]

That’s not entirely accurate, yes there was an official order of silence immediately preceding the invasion of Europe, but by the end of the summer there were official releases of information. By then the press simply wasn’t interested in reporting it, and there was a different standard in reporting. Things that were embarrassing were considered off limits, instead of glorified. Books about the incident were actually published within a year of the wars end. There simply was no real public interest until wreckage was found in the 70’s.

Politics aside, those who died in operation Tiger, saved countless lives. It’s at hard to imagine an operation the size of D-Day would be planned in such a way that the key players could not communicate with each other. The complete pooch screw of operation Tiger, changed that.

Many of the days we stop and remember were also the headline grabbers of the day. Days everyone knows. The smaller things that contributed to the big days are often forgotten for lack of reminders. Thank you for reminding me about one of many events that tragically led to the overall success of the war.

Maybe next year during the last week of April, you will be kind enough to post and remind us of this tragedy that played a key role in the success of the June 6 invasion. Those men largely in unmarked or forgotten graves deserve our memory and respect just as much.

Thank you for reading my post.
Possibly next year I’ll post in April. Although my last post regarding Memorial Day was taken down, so my desire to share anything is really not there. My post was not one bit controversial but apparently follow ups went sideways .
That said, of course I disagree with your opening in your response. To this day there are families that have never been told what actually happened to their loved ones. I do not believe it was through a lack of interest by the press.
A pleasure reading a different view point
Chuck

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I've been a student of military history my entire life. Just 22 years after D-Day, I found myself pondering that day as we were hitting a beach in S. Vietnam offloading troops and armor with almost the same equipment used in 1944.

Of course, there were no German MG-42's spraying us with wethering fire, just the odd pest VC with an SKS keeping us aware of the fact they did not approve of our presence.



To this day, it astounds me of the courage those men displayed in the face of overwhelming danger. But we had one thing in common......war sucks any way you look at it.

 

[dellet]

Thank you for reading my post.
Possibly next year I’ll post in April. Although my last post regarding Memorial Day was taken down, so my desire to share anything is really not there. My post was not one bit controversial but apparently follow ups went sideways .
That said, of course I disagree with your opening in your response. To this day there are families that have never been told what actually happened to their loved ones. I do not believe it was through a lack of interest by the press.
A pleasure reading a different view point
Chuck

There was a brief mention of the incident in the Stars and Stripes maybe august of 44. Then mostly crickets for 30 years. I think one publication in 1946 or 7. The article is searchable through the library of congress data base, also the Stars and Stripes records.

I have a personal interest in these types of forgotten soldiers. My wife’s great uncle was part of the American expeditionary forces in Siberia in 1918, the polar bears. He remains one of only about 20 MIA. His death was well documented, but his body not recoverable. It still haunts the family, I knew his brothers, and was lucky enough to have them both at my wedding.

Way to many forgotten battles and soldiers. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Kittitas George]

I'm old enough (83) to know and remember many of my friends dads, teachers and others that are combat veterans of WWII. It was maybe an 'unwritten rule' growing up that we didn't talk about their experience. I remember a teacher talking about being on Iwo Jima. I wish I'd known how and what questions to ask. I missed a great opportunity. But, I have had a chance to meet and visit with many very interesting and knowledge people, there are still a few voids to be filled in this old brain, lots of curiosity and maybe better understanding. I know the first baby born in March of 1942 in a concentration camp of Japanese decent, United States citizens. I met Clint Eastwood, he was a 'life guard' in 1953 and a G.I. that was in Japan right after the Atomic bomb was dropped, radiation was never mentioned. Many memories looking back. Like one of the members says "When the old man dies, the library closes."

 

[JFrank]

My Uncle survived the invasion and finally made it home alive.

 

[M-61]

My Uncle survived the invasion and finally made it home alive.

Just wondering. When did arrive back in the USA? People forget that June 6th 1944 was almost one year before the war in Europe was over. Then in April Hitler commits suicide. And still the war continues for a time. Then you have to move all these men back to the USA and stay the discharge process. And of course before the discharges start you have to finish the was with Japan. I’m only guessing but I’ll bet many veterans didn’t return home until the end of 1945 or early’46. Then it’s a long ride home by ship.
Unlike VietNam where you stepped out of the jungle and 24 hours later were dumped in San Francisco. I believe that is not conducive to good mental health. Instead of parades they chose to disown you. Then be amazed that you have trouble fitting in.

 

[JFrank]

Just wondering. When did arrive back in the USA? People forget that June 6th 1944 was almost one year before

I’m not real sure when he made it back, the one story I remember was about him on one side of a hedge row meeting a nazi soldier on the other, my uncle Norman was quicker and shot first.

Jim

 

[KMart]

The landing force at Normandy had barely cleared the beaches and another battle half a world away would start on June 15th, on Saipan. The 2nd and 4th MarDivs along with the Army's 27th Infantry Division, committed approximately 60,000 ground troops to the invasion.
June 1944 was a busy month.