doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com June 6, 1944

Courtesy of the son of Henry William Trevallion

God bless them all. The picture however, looks more like WWI, with the older helmets, Lewis machine gun, etc. Could that be Dunkirk?

Mr. Legg I think you are correct with Dunkirk. P '07 Bayonet frog on Lewis Gunner (abandoned for shore raids as too cumbersome) replaced by No4 Mk1 and spike bayonet. Men at rail of boat ( trawler?) have no webbing or weapons. Boat alongside has bow from shore not to shore. Group of 4 men center appear to have their arms visible as in coming offshore not going ashore.
Also believe Sword ,June and Gold beaches ( Brit & Candaian) had break waters and Building development in landing zones.
However editorial errors aside no way diminishes the valiant efforts of the heroic allies on all fronts.Most of my family were in the Italian front, Rome fell the day before 6/5/44
father and three uncles involved in that, after years of continuous fighting North Africa, Sicily So Italy Cassino, Anzio etc. Another year to go and many good men still to be lost. They were however the greatest generation and will be the bench mark for us and future generations to live up to.
Cheers DT/CC we will raise a glass this evening after taps( or maybe earlier)
Hugh Lomas

I just finished a biography of Eisenhower. Ike doesn't get a lot of credit for his military prowess, especially from those who write from our British allies' perspective, but probably deserves more than he gets. I was impressed by the message he had written before the invasion was launched, to be given as an address in the event the invasion was repulsed, taking full blame for its failure. Don't see that kind of personal responsibility much anymore.

Here's to a generation that knew some things were worth fighting for and were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, if necessary. I wish more of them were still leading the way today. From the son of a American lieutenant who knew the hedgerows of Normany all too well. TT

I think the British used those helmets in WWll as well as Lewis guns. The lewis gunner is shooting at something in the air, don't think that there were many aircraft to shoot at on D-day.

Jim

Jim Legg,"You Sir are correct"! My Apologies to all concerned. I pulled the Dunkirk Photo from my Late Father's Shoe-Box of Memories", in hast, very early this AM.(I had chequering-dust in the eyes...)I have asked'docdrew' if he would post the 6th June 1944 Photo that I should have used. Hugh,You are also very observant....No more than I would expect from a 'Highly Trained Member of the British Gumaking Trade' (Birmingham Chapter, I Belive....Gunmaking Snobbery Raises its Stupid Victorian Head!!!!)You gained much'Info' from such a 'Pizpoor'snap-shot that someone's Dad, or Brother used his (Poss)Kodak Brownie shooting forward, when everything else was"In Retreat". Jim L.That Old WW1'Steel-Lid'that was being used by the Soldier on board the ship, was an Issue Item to Rfn.23790313 Green Jackets Brigade, Kings Royal Rifle Corps.May 5th 1960, Winchester Upper Barracks, England.I did 'Everything' in it...for 2 Yrs.,Enough Humor....My Thanks to ALL the Sevice Personnel that'Have Gone Before' Remember,Live-Rounds & Lobsters@ DTs Range on "D-Day"..cc/dt

My Grandfather, Ferdinand Graf, was a Navy Seabee and he told me the story of entering Cherbourg following it's liberatation shortly after the invasion of France. I was taken aback when for the first time he attempted to articulate the unimaginable carnage and sacrifice. I'll never forget his description: "the whole town had the stench of death". I believe he was haunted his entire life by his war experiences.

Thanks Drew, David T.