The Longest Day - Query

No mention of a David Campbell in RAF Fighter Command Losses Vol 3 (by Norman Franks).

I'm fast coming to the conclusion that David Campbell was definitely a
factitious character for the film.

If memory serves me correctly, the pilot portrayed by Richard Burton was in the mess speaking to a colleague and it was pointed out that he (Burton) was the only one of the squadron left from the Few.

Does this help identify if fictional or factual?

Regards
Tom

 

Tom,

You are correct...He was tallking about the chap who chute failed to open over the Channel and the bloke in the mess with him said he was the only one left from the BoB and was rather miffed as he had lent him his boots. Thats why I checked my BoB book.

I still see no reason why this isn't him: Sgt. D.C.O. Campbell of No. 66 Squadron.

Correct me if I'm wrong but Richard Burtons character didn't die in the film?

 

When I was at Pegasus Bridge I saw no cameras... Come to that I saw precious few of anyone... Not the healthiest of places. The shelling stopped us, and we had to go to ground. But the Veterans have a good laugh at the way the films are presented.

You seldom learn the real truth.For example the Sappers arrived at Pegasus before the piper and the Commandos. One Sapper Sgt leaned against the bridge smoking a cigarette admiring the heroic way the commandos marched up ...Very Posh.......

But you will never see that in the media..... Films are made to make money and if they favour the greatest audience... so be it.
A little realism goes a long way
Sapper
Sapper, At the risk of asking a repeated question
did you see any 7 para guys at Pegasus Bridge I know they reinforced the Ox&Bucks coup de main, I ask because one of there officers was of course Richard Todd, a officer in 7 Para at the time who went on to play Major John Howard in the film we speak of here, regards, Jason

 

Campbell's not mentioned as an interviewee here (I knew there were accounts that didn't make it into the book so thought I'd check). It makes me wonder what's in the screenplay material?

I have a feeling now that the wearer of the boots on the wrong feet was a survivor, not a casualty, which would obviously cast doubt on the Campbell story/character. I don't really want to be rereading it, though...

 

The German Officer wearing the boots on the wrong feet was awoken my a trooper landing in his greenhouse and in his rush to investigate puts them on the wrong feet.

Later in the film Burton shoots and kills him (Somehow I think I'm stating the obvious).

 

No, it's me failing to keep up with you. I should have mentioned that was a memory of the book, not the film. If Andrea's free now, could you start her off on 'The Longest Day'? Ah - it's Lark Rise now, isn't it

 

Lark Rise ?

I'm on CWGC finding graves of the chaps shot outside the barn

 

There were some casualties. Bodies. We went down to help out. By then they had been removed. But you may find this even odder...It is almost by tradition, that the Sappers do not seek the limelight. Even in their Corps histories, no mention of battle, only of Engineering tasks and feats...and how it was done at the time. Not a mention of the ferocious fire they endured at times. Still the how it was done...

What I recall most of all, was a heavy enemy fire being laid down on the bridge precincts, a pontoon was holed and had to be replaced. While the others had gone to ground, my platoon (2 platoon) continued and replaced the pontoon despite the incoming ferocity. Platoon got a mention in the RE document "The way Forward"

Only when the battle was particularly ferocious was it mentioned. Casualties were only officers named, the rest referred to as ORs.

Before the Sappers Left England, they had put a few empty Jerry cans in the pontoons. So that if they were shelled, (as they surely were) They would not sink completely, so we slid the half submerged pontoons out, and another in. All under fire

17 Enemy Planes were shot down over Pegasus. It was claimed by small arms fire brens and rifles..Though I doubt it. My foxhole on the near bank, and just South of the bridge. I see there are mature trees growing there now. Not surprised its 65 years on.

There are instances of great bravery by the Sappers. Some that ran on the bridges and drove the enmy off while they tried to blow it.. Never even got a mention. Not even for saving the bridge intact...Nothing.

Lt Arthur Heal who opened up the Hillman site under direct enemy fire, should have had a Victoria Cross. what he got was CdeG...The bravest act by any man on the whole of the invasion coast. We had the unenviable claim tohave taken oprt in every battle from Normansdy, to Bremen, and the fallen lads are spread out on the long road to Bremen. Bless them..At the end there were not enough to have reunion. I kniow, I tried to get one. Foundf my platoon officer Digger.and two others.
Sapper

 

I still see no reason why this isn't him: Sgt. D.C.O. Campbell of No. 66 Squadron.

According to Fighter Command Losses Vol 3 21 Fighters are listed as being lost on the 6th June 1944:

9 Spitfires
9 Typhoons
3 Mustangs

And not one of them being shown as piloted by a David Campbell.

 

According to Fighter Command Losses Vol 3 21 Fighters are listed as being lost on the 6th June 1944:

9 Spitfires
9 Typhoons
3 Mustangs

And not one of them being shown as piloted by a David Campbell.

Ah...Get you now. Sounds like the film is a bag of ...

 

The film implied that Campbell had been in the same squadron continuously since the Battle of Britain. The RAF's Operational Tour system of a period on operations followed by a spell as training or on non-flying duties surely made that impossible. Also, how likely is it that a BoB veteran would be only a Flying Officer in 1944?

For those two reasons, I always assumed that Campbell was a fictitious character, or possibly a composite one.

 

... and the fallen lads are spread out on the long road to Bremen. Bless them..At the end there were not enough to have reunion. I kniow, I tried to get one. Found my platoon officer Digger.and two others.
Sapper

Thank you for this moving account Sapper. There seems to be more of an interest these days in the "forgotten" parts of the war like all the recent books and interest in the POWs. Is it time for the Sappers Story to be told so that more than just the folks on this forum get to hear what went on, what you guys did, and what happened after the battles etc? Its definately a book I would buy...

 

Thank you for this moving account Sapper. There seems to be more of an interest these days in the "forgotten" parts of the war like all the recent books and interest in the POWs. Is it time for the Sappers Story to be told so that more than just the folks on this forum get to hear what went on, what you guys did, and what happened after the battles etc? Its definately a book I would buy...

Another superb first hand account from Brian.

Hard to find words for such courageous deeds. Thank you does not seem enough.

Regards
Tom

 

Hi Sapper.
The 17 confirmed planes shot down over Pegasus and Horsa Bridges are claimed by Fox Troop of 92nd LAA Regt. They landed on Sword beach with six SP Bofors and in action in the morning of D+1. We spent the night of D-Day sleeping in a ditch opposite the Mayor's House. I was a wireless op with no one to speak to so, I stood around and watched, saw most of the 17 go down. By the way, it took place during the first five days, Jerry gave up after that.

 

Also, how likely is it that a BoB veteran would be only a Flying Officer in 1944?

That thought also crossed my mind!

 

Hi Driver-op
That's a great divisional sign mate The very best there was.. During the Pegasus bridge ops, we had to break off to repel enemy attacks..They wanted that bridge back ..But the Square headed buggers never got it...

Out lads claimed THEY shot down the planes with small arms....maybe one ot two but not 17.

We had a persistent sniper that took a toll, until we sent out a patrol and got the little basket.

You may be interested to know that about that time. The enemy sent some frogmen down the Orne, armed with explosives to blow Pegasus. Sadly ... Or fortunately for us, they did not go far enough, and according to the account I read, they blew up one if their own facilities.
Sapper

 

The Longest Day, Part Two: The Night, Chapter 1, about four pages in...

Two troopers actually landed outside the headquarters of Captain Ernst During of the German 352nd Division, more than five miles from the nearest drop zone. During, who commanded a heavy machine-gun company at Brevands, had been awakened by the low-flying formations and the flak barrage. Leaping out of bed, he dressed so quickly that he put his boots on the wrong feet (something he didn't notice until the end of D-Day).

He may have had blisters, but he survived the war.

 

Hi Driver-op
That's a great divisional sign mate The very best there was.. During the Pegasus bridge ops, we had to break off to repel enemy attacks..They wanted that bridge back ..But the Square headed buggers never got it...

Out lads claimed THEY shot down the planes with small arms....maybe one ot two but not 17.

We had a persistent sniper that took a toll, until we sent out a patrol and got the little basket.

You may be interested to know that about that time. The enemy sent some frogmen down the Orne, armed with explosives to blow Pegasus. Sadly ... Or fortunately for us, they did not go far enough, and according to the account I read, they blew up one if their own facilities.
Sapper

I remember the big counter attack well, we had to take up positions to repell the Krauts I was on the Bren ( it had previously mis-fired on D-Day), but fortunately they didn't break through and I never got the chance to get that VC. I agree around the bridges was a very unhealthy place to be and inclined to get very noisy. Intresting tho'.

Jim