Ron - Couldn't agree more - all the more reason why some acknowledgement of this day might have been mentioned on Forum Cheers
There was nothing at all mentioned here on the TV news. I didn't see anything in the newspaper either. Sadly, the media now only seems to cover the "big anniversaries" (ie: 60th, 65th, etc). Still, this year was a new low -- there was usually at least a passing reference on the local 11pm news. The timing has been unfortunate this year. I think the jubilee really took away from the D-Day coverage. I did not see anything here either. Seems the 70th will be the next media remembrance although 100 years of the commencement of the Great War in August will possibly overshadow D-Day coverage somewhat. Australia is advanced in preparations (Anzac Day - April 25th) for the centenary of the Gallipoli landings in 2015 which will be just before 70th of VE day and later VJ-VP Day.
In a rare moment of getting it right, here in Brisbane one of the commercial TV stations scheduled "Saving Private Ryan" for last night's movie selection. On reflection, besides a re-run of "The Longest Day", I thought it was a fairly good choice. The promos actually mentioned the reason for showing the movie on the 6th of June.
I'd noticed there was no mention of D-Day, but didn't wish to say anything as I may have been thought I was bragging again just because I was there. Jim
I was looking for a thread like this yesterday and couldn't find it, though I did find a good one with some pictures of D-Day monuments in Normandy. That was pretty appropriate.
I should add that for Americans June 6th and December 7th seem to have become the most appropriate days to remember the war and those who fell in it. I don't know what the equivalents would be for the British. Maybe Battle of Britain Day?
I'd noticed there was no mention of D-Day, but didn't wish to say anything as I may have been thought I was bragging again just because I was there. Jim (Driver-Op) Dear Jim In my humble opinion, anyone who was there at the Normandy landings is entitled to brag, as was beautifully described by our favourite bard. St. Crispin's Day speech from Henry V (Just substitute the words D Day every time he says St.Crispin's Day) WESTMORELAND. O that we now had here But one ten thousand of those men in England That do no work to-day! KING. What’s he that wishes so? My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin; If we are mark’d to die, we are enow To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour. God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires. But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive. No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England. God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honour As one man more methinks would share from me For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more! Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host, That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made, And crowns for convoy put into his purse; We would not die in that man’s company That fears his fellowship to die with us. This day is call’d the feast of Crispian. He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say “To-morrow is Saint Crispian.” Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say “These wounds I had on Crispian’s day.” Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, But he’ll remember, with advantages, What feats he did that day. Then shall our names, Familiar in his mouth as household words- Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester- Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red. This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered- We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now-a-bed Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day. Ron
The D-Day remembrance services were reported in at least some British national and regional newspapers and radio bulletins. The service of remembrance in West Cumbria (which I posted photographs above) was reported in the local newspaper, 'The Whitehaven News': Whitehaven News | News | Silent D-Day tribute to the fallen In France, all along the Normandy Landing area, the 68th anniversary was marked by a D-Day Festival (1 - 9 June 2012) which was widely reported in France: parachute drops, firwork displays, musical tributes, family picnics, walking tours along the 'Liberation routes', parade of military vehicles etc as well as the services of remembrance at various locations. I also read on 'WW2 Talk' that one of the 'big hitter' contributors to the site (Paul Reed, a battlefield tour guide) was attending the 68th anniversary of the Normandy Landings with a group including some veterans of the campaign. There was a specific thread set up on 'WW2 Talk' by Mr Reed on the 68th anniversary commemorations. When I first began attending the annual services of remembrance commemorating D-Day and the Battle of Normandy there was relatively little interest by the general public or the press. For good or for ill and for what it's worth, it is my opinion interest and reporting of D-Day commemorations (and the war generally) have grown significantly since the mid-1990s.
hello Tom a few threads I have updated today A number of casualties in the Remembering Today thread http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/remembering-today/ http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/all-anniversaries/6873-day-during-ww2-371.html#post506304 regards Clive http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/ww2-battlefields-today/45449-normandy-d-day-68th-anniversiary.html http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-cemeteries-war-memorial-research/45550-normandy-memorials-reference.html D-Day was mentioned and Remembered yesterday on the Forum Please review the Remembering Today posts many forum members added information throughout the day
Thanks for that Ron, but I must confess to feeling guilty as I was in my wireless truck and not at the sharp end, like the poor lads lying on the beach and in the lanes in-land. Btw the The Bards Henry V is a favourite too. Regards Jim
Don't really get your point Tom as there were some D-Day related threads on the 6th and as I put in a thread before 6th June I was posting photos from Normandy all that day via Twitter which anyone can see without joining via www.twitter.com/sommecourt For technical reasons it isn't possible for me to add photos to the forum from my iPhone or iPad, so can't post photos until I return home.
All this week of June, I have been posting a selected "In Memoriam" of the Air Force lads (RAF, RAAF, RCAF, RNZAF and even an American as part of a Lancaster crew) who were killed bombing French Railway yards and other installations under heavy flak in support of the D-Day landings.
Paul / Jeff..and anyone else MY point was that there was NOT a direct mention of D Day before 5.pm. on the 6th June.....why is this becoming so difficult to understand...by so many ....? Vendetta perhaps - but more than likely sheer embarrassment as this is held as the defining moment of that conflict - with which I still disagree.....! Paul - I realize that your threads were of the 3rd and 7th June - thus did not qualify - and I do NOT twitter or have anything to do with any other means of communications - which makes me old fashioned I guess - but that's all it makes me ..... Jeff - in memoriums hardly count as Clive is often on with those - BUT again - NO direct mention of that Day - now I trust that peace will reign once more - and I won't even mention D Day again but I just know someone will Cheers
Tom, I have followed this thread and a couple of others with similar lines and understood your point and do not intend to comment so as to start again..... but i feel it does raise an interesting point and ask (while ducking down for responses) when is the right time to remember this important conflict and a defining moment? 6-6-44 landing, breakout, the day a comrade was lost a particular turning point in the War or the End when it was all over but not for so many who clearly had to stay on even after. Now I have a small understanding of what my Grandfather did (thanks to this forum) from getting on his boat and landing 6-6-44 and each day ish through to leaving July 1945, (one of the lucky ones). Which day do I choose to remember....... or is it 365....................... I'm glad you are with us and commenting! Malcolm
Hello Tom my first post here http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/all-anniversaries/6873-day-during-ww2-371.html#post506304 gives the BBC information on 6th June 1944 . Further posts in Remembering Today gave a broad section of casualties including Civilians , which other forum members added information plus Geoffs posts giving further information along with Pauls D-Day post. As you are aware we Remember every single day and I will continue to do so as long as I am upright. As a point of interest you can see by this post and response how effective we are in keeping the memory and interest alive http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-grave-photographs/30205-18-year-old-sergeant-peter-gibbins-1284320-149-sqdn-royal.html#post506911 regards Clive
Don't really get your point Tom as there were some D-Day related threads on the 6th and as I put in a thread before 6th June I was posting photos from Normandy all that day via Twitter which anyone can see without joining via www.twitter.com/sommecourt For technical reasons it isn't possible for me to add photos to the forum from my iPhone or iPad, so can't post photos until I return home. Likelwise, Paul I do not get Tom's point. Active members of 'WW2 Talk' attending commemorative services for the D-Day anniversary would find it difficult or impractical to begin a completely new thread on that day, and that day alone, by 5 p.m. UK time. Undoubtedly there were others who spent the day at work and would only look at 'WW2 Talk' on their home computer in the evening. Unless one is a reporter with a deadline to meet, surely there is no compulsion to attend a commemorative event and post a report about it for 'WW2 Talk' by 5 p.m. on the same day? Personally, I thought I was doing well making a couple of posts about 'D-Day' to 'WW2 Talk' (with photographs) before 10 p.m. UK time on the anniversary evening (6 June)! I had thought Tom in particular may have appreciated the photograph I posted from the IWM display about "D-Day". This included the Eighth Army newspaper report about Lady Nancy Astor's "denial" of her alleged "D-Day Dodgers" comments. ------------------- Lest we forget!
MSgrover1 thank you for getting my point about the lack of recognition of the alleged defining moment of that conflict when others claim some confusion on my use of the English language. It was a complete surprise to me that NO ONE had made any form of recognition of that day apart from Clive's commemorations as we have on many occasions heard all about how fiercesome the battles were on that day.... and Thank you for noting that I am STILL here as I thought that I was in some kind of fiercesome battles in Italy when I spent nearly six months in various hospitals after one particularly fierce battle so I fully understand what it feels like to lose friends in such circumstances and what it means to the survivors and more importantly - to the dead ! Cheers
Tom- I don't mean to be rude but I have been following this argument of yours for the past 2 days. It has been pointed out to you by Clive at least three times that he made a post about D-Day on the thread All Anniversaries. Surely this was enough to show that someone took the time to remember. I noticed that his post was at 8.31am. I am sure that this is now the time to move onto more important threads. Lesley
Tom - I'm afraid I still don't quite get it. On the one hand you seem to be chastising this forum for somehow not remembering D-Day in Normandy and yet in the same breath complaining 6th June overshadowed events in Italy. In that respect you are preaching to the converted, surely? I'm also a little surprised by your comment that "in memoriums hardly count".
Paul/ Rosie It's not an argument of mine - but others have made it so -I am well aware of Clives memorials as he keeps pointing out -BUT - he does this almost everyday and so - in my view - is not a direct reference to D Day per se..... Not for me to chastise anyone but merely making the point - and it is hardly preaching to the converted about the effects on the Italian campaign when apart from yourself -Owen - Minden and a few others have any real knowledge of that campaign- as anyone can see from the NORMAL threads on Normandy - and so very few on the Italian battles - which made it SO surprising to me to have no reference - directly about the anniversary of such a special day in most members eyes - and as Rosie says - let us move on to more important threads - so seemingly D Day was not all that important ...? So perhaps I was right Cheers
