Much is said about the teaching of modern history in schools today, the following poem was written by my youngest granddaughter after lessens on the D-day landings, the class was asked to compose a poem to commemorate the landings, this is her contribution. Thought is was pretty good, but then I'm biased. A Poem for D-Day I slowly step into the craft Thinking of my past As I wave goodbye to my family The engine starts and we set of to the battle Then I hear a faint echo of my babies rattle I wonder will I ever hear it again ? I see the praying men So I join in Thinking we are going to win We are going to win I can see the destination in the distance The medical team ready for assistance All 20 of us jump out in hast Then a bullet shoots straight past my face I can smell urine, farces and metal from the blood I can hear a bomb explode. THUD ! I look to my left, I look to my right Will this go on for days and nights I told my wife I'll be home in a couple of days Thousands of men are dead and just lay I wonder could that be me ? I'll just have to wait, wait and see This back pack ways a ton But I know I have to do this for my country and my baby son My heart is racing My feet are pacing I pulled the trigger back at full power The bullet shooting 100 miles per hour Another lot of solders arriving at the shore I wish they knew what they were in for I get closer up to the battlefield All around people being killed A bullet shoots straight into me No feeling in my body I say to my friend “if you survive please tell my wife I love her so, and always remember me but to live her life So goodbye my dear friend Carry on and defend Kirsty aged 12, year 8
Peter Thanks for posting it really makes one think of friends now departed and how they described D Day
Do You Remember Soldier? The turbulent sea, on that far and distant shore. Bursting rockets flash, and mighty cannons roar. "Queen" red, an epic story, still waiting to unfold. Where lie hidden beaches "Sword" and "Gold". Remember Soldier . Hot Norman sun and dust, the fields of waving corn, So many dear friends we lost, so little time to mourn. The sounds of battle are faded, and far distant now. Gone, the chilling mindless fear, cold and sweating brow. Remember Soldier? The incoming tide, the rough salty Channel's spray. Remember our fine young men, who sadly died that day, So innocent and untried, to storm the Norman shore. What unknown valiant deeds took place, in that fog of war. Remember Soldier! Machine gun and mortar fire, swept the beach with death. "S" mines exploding in the air, blasts hot and fiery breath. "Schu" mines shattered young men's limbs, gory splintered bone. They cannot father children now, no children's voices home. Remember Soldier? Advance inland, the Sappers call! "Bash on, Bash on, Bash on!" Then to Pegasus Bridge, to raft and bridge, now, all sadly gone. "Hillman's" guns stood in our way, unmarked, untouched, it stood. Heroic acts by Sappers here, then died in Le Besiley Wood. Remember Soldier? Hermanville and Benouville, we took along the way. Then on to Caen, destroyed, one dreadful Summers day. Across the Orne, now Goodwood, raised its ugly head. Eighth Brigade will lead, why us? let others lead instead. Remember Soldier? To Vire at last, but wounded now, and soaked in blood. Exhausted, stained with gore, and dirty Norman mud. The chase is on! down Tinchebray road, vicious battle's rage. To Falaise, the Enemy surrounded, and safely in the cage. Remember Soldier. Did it really happen to us, in those distant summer days? Are we the same valiant men, who took part in the fray? Sadly now, we are old and tired, but still remain unbowed. Why not? why not indeed, we should all be very proud. Remember Soldier. Where would Europe be, had Hitler had his way. His dark age, now removed, men look for better days. Buchenwald and Belson, sadly stained the Earth. Because of us, a new Europe, has already given birth. Remember Soldier! We who paid a dreadful price, pride, will dull our pain. Beware, that darkened evil sky's, must never spread again. Those who paid the greatest price, rest easy in your grave. Because of you, we shall never be, a Nation, bowed, enslaved. Do You Remember Soldier? "Of course you do, and never will forget"! Swordman Brian Guy. Sapper. 246 Field Company R. E. Eighth Brigade. Third British Infantry Division. 29th of July 1999.
