doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com The Longest Day

I was in junior high (‘61, I believe) when I got a copy of Cornelius Ryan’s The Longest Day. My Dad spent the war in the Pacific but his best friend, “Turk”, was airborne and jumped in on D-Day. Ryan’s epic account opened my understanding to just what an incredible undertaking the invasion was and the sacrifice made by these brave men to begin the liberation of Europe.

I remember them with gratitude on this day.

Ditto.
My father landed on the beach a month after D-Day in relative calm (there). But then went on to man a Howitzer crew for months towards the Rhine. Wintered on the edge of the Bulge where his uncle was in the thick of it (most of his unit killed). Both men were giant influences on me, their honor, their quiet certitude. Both have passed but are not forgotten. Fair winds, gentlemen.

The people and the events were truly amazing.

We should remember a great many of the ones that died there were 20 years old and younger. They would be considered "kids",but on that day they were "full grown men" and the best we had to offer. I just had my first great grandson, and these men sacrificed their chance to have that joy, so I could have it. God bless them all.
Mike

I think I may have posted this before. But if you're in the vicinity of Ft. Liberty (formerly Ft Bragg, but General Bragg wore the wrong color uniform in the Civil War) take the time to visit the 82d Airborne Museum. One very simple yet striking display is an urn of earth from Ste. Mere Eglise, the first town in France to be liberated. (That's where Red Buttons dangled from his parachute in "The Longest Day"). Free soil from free French citizens after the long night of German occupation.

I just learned, from the news, that a 102-year-old veteran passed away while on his way to the celebration. He was a veteran of the Pacific Theater of Operations, on his way to honor those in the ETO. He was in Iwo Jima, among other places, and saw action as bad as D-Day, but was on his way to stand for them. Truly the greatest generation, and truly a great man.
Mike

My Dad was on Iwo and saw the raising of both flags. It wasn't until near his end he related to my son, in 1 day out of 240 men, all but the Co clerk were wounded and all but 40 were dead. I am not sure how you go on.

I bet this didn't happen 80 years ago! British paratroopers land to commemorate D-Day and the French demand their passports! Lagopus.....

The passport checking if proof were needed the reason the British are not to keen on the French. They do seem to have very short history memories about past events, also they have never forgiven the British for Agincourt or sinking their ships at Mers Elk' Kebir in 1940 and of course Waterloo. I do study modern history and the historical view that "History always repeats its self". Just a thought about History repeating, if Putin is not stopped at Ukraine Poland may be a tempting prize the next could well be France. does it sound a little familiar? May be this time France will get you are on your own pall! From the British, If any part of this prediction happens I do hope I have well slipped of my mortal coil.

Funny how the British paratroopers didn’t need passports in 1944.