TIGHTCHOKE Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 I am sat watching the BBC coverage of the Normandy Landings Anniversary in France. Naga Munchetty has just interviewed Harry Billinge, he is as sharp as a knife and such a memory. I regularly knock the BBC, but this time they got it just right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
243ack Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 I agree. When he said 'I'm no hero, all the heros are dead', brought a lump to my throat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twenty Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 5 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: I am sat watching the BBC coverage of the Normandy Landings Anniversary in France. Naga Munchetty has just interviewed Harry Billinge, he is as sharp as a knife and such a memory. I regularly knock the BBC, but this time they got it just right. I think all the Channels have done a tremendous job of covering the D Day commemorations,...certainly brought a tear or two to my eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 hello, i am sure my father would have been there as an officer in the l Navy although he was below deck as he worked in the engine rooms, he would have been in his 90s now, never said much about this only a lot of friends never made it back home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 (edited) Been watching some of the old boys recounting how they felt 75 years today when they reached the landing beach in Normandy , one was saying how rough the crossing was and he was seasick all the way over , then the landing craft got stuck in 7 / 8ft of water , some made it and some didn't as his mate got drowned with the weight of all the gear he was carrying , and another got blown up in one of the wagons that went over a mine , he managed to get to some form of shelter and was saying when he looked round the water had turned Red with blood and body parts lying everywhere , he thought it must be the nearest place to hell . This was only one of many accounts of young men in there late teens and early twenties who must have been terrified in what was going on around them with the noise , smell and sights . I am not normally very emotional but the more I watched and listened to these dignified gentlemen it certainly brought a lump to my throat and we can thank people like them for the freedom we are living today. Do you feel the same way , or can you handle your emotions differently ?. Edited June 6, 2019 by marsh man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestonSalop Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 Couldn't agree more Marsh Man. There's a tendency to think of these old blokes as having always been old. But they weren't. I think of my lads aged today, 30, 25 and 22. In a different time they would have been there. I can't imagine anything more terrifying than having to do what they did (and for the next year or so). No - nothing wrong with getting emotional about this at all. Good on you for expressing your feelings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbie to this Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 Very very sad, that this was required of so many young people. It should never be forgotten what these brave men and women did. They should be remembered for their sacrifice, but mostly it should be remembered so it never happens again. Yes it most definitely brings tears to my eyes listening to these brave people's accounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 I totally agree MM. I'm not ashamed to say that I had tears in my eyes. I've recorded it from 09:45 as I have to go about my day, but certainly will watch it later, and, keep it for as long as possible. 'Thank You' to all who took part in the D Day landings and to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. God Bless you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 47 minutes ago, 243ack said: I agree. When he said 'I'm no hero, all the heros are dead', brought a lump to my throat. +1 you just can’t imagine what the poor souls went through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butchdickason Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 I had a tear or two whilst watching the event. brave men one and all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbriar Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 Better men than me, every one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoBodyImportant Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 I saw a headline that said, Leaders of Countries that took part in D day gather to celebrate the dead. In the picture was a group of leaders including Angela Merkel. I mean I guess technically Germany did take part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 4 minutes ago, NoBodyImportant said: I saw a headline that said, Leaders of Countries that took part in D day gather to celebrate the dead. In the picture was a group of leaders including Angela Merkel. I mean I guess technically Germany did take part. I have no problem with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 (edited) Watched the Portsmouth celebration and that was also very well done and to see those guys, most still ramrod straight was very humbling. Both should be shown in our schools just to remind our mollie coddled youngsters what real men and women look like and through their heroism they are able to live as they do. There were a lot of German soldiers who HAD to take part, no real option. Edited June 6, 2019 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 The older I get, the more I appreciate what these people did. Totally amazing. As a child I glorified war (1980's war films etc). Now I feel so indebted to these `few`. The Last Post gets me every time..... My heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in such a terrible tragedy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokersmith Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 Loads of hero's ... and one not mentioned so far is Capt. Eric 'Winkle ' Brown. An amazing documentary on his contribution should be watched by all. I'd love to know how these guys interviewed stay so sharp!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 3 hours ago, Walker570 said: Watched the Portsmouth celebration and that was also very well done and to see those guys, most still ramrod straight was very humbling. Both should be shown in our schools just to remind our mollie coddled youngsters what real men and women look like and through their heroism they are able to live as they do. There were a lot of German soldiers who HAD to take part, no real option. Indeed, to say nothing of the men, women and children who were killed, wounded or had their homes destroyed by allied bombing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockySpears Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 " forty-seven immortals of Omaha " Any one here heard of them? I can't believe it but I only get circular references to this search and all lead back to the Marshall article in The Atlantic. I can find many people searching for them, but no answers. Any one here do any better, Thanks, RS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbie to this Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 We will never see the likes of him again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 Nice to see and hear the ones still with us. Sadly won't be long before none remain. Lest we forget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scutt Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 Real men ready to stand up for what they believed in. Just a thought do any of the TV channels contribute towards any of the forces charities did they pay for the passage over to Normandy on the boat . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 2 minutes ago, scutt said: Real men ready to stand up for what they believed in. Just a thought do any of the TV channels contribute towards any of the forces charities did they pay for the passage over to Normandy on the boat . hello, the boat was chartered by the Royal British Legion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scutt Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 (edited) Yes that's my point . Did any of the presenters pay for a ticket . Edited June 6, 2019 by scutt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 10 hours ago, hedge said: The older I get, the more I appreciate what these people did. Totally amazing. As a child I glorified war (1980's war films etc). Now I feel so indebted to these `few`. The Last Post gets me every time..... My heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in such a terrible tragedy. Probably sums me up nicely. seen bits and pieces, watched the pipes being played this morning, set some stuff to record. I hope they continue to remember these events, especially as each passing year we will loose more of these brave individuals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted June 6, 2019 Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 12 hours ago, marsh man said: Been watching some of the old boys recounting how they felt 75 years today when they reached the landing beach in Normandy , one was saying how rough the crossing was and he was seasick all the way over , then the landing craft got stuck in 7 / 8ft of water , some made it and some didn't as his mate got drowned with the weight of all the gear he was carrying , and another got blown up in one of the wagons that went over a mine , he managed to get to some form of shelter and was saying when he looked round the water had turned Red with blood and body parts lying everywhere , he thought it must be the nearest place to hell . Have you seen "Saving private Ryan" realise it's only a film but what you've said was the opening scene. I remember they showed it to veterans who were stunned by how realistic it was, hell indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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