D Day

[anonym_Hf93Jbjm9WjT]

75 years ago..

At 0527 hours on 6 June 1944, HMS Belfast opened fire on German positions along the Normandy coast. The cruiser provided naval gunfire support to the troops landing at Gold and Juno beaches. This warship was one of many, that took part, protecting the troop carriers, and bombarding coastal defesive positions.

Yesterday, and today, both old allies and enemies, are commemorating the Normandy Landings, with major gatherings at Portsmouth and Bayeux.

top secret but true fact : 

Spoiler

The vibration of HMS Belfast's guns firing during D-Day was so powerful it actually cracked the crew's toilets.

https://www.france24.com/en/20190605-liveblog-75th-d-day-anniversary-queen-trump-macron-portsmouth-wwII-war

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-48462241

 

[Tpaktop2_1]

 

[Guest]

[Guest]

[Guest]

simple words, always the best. just say, "thankyou".

[Guest]

Cathédrale de Bayeux, today.

[Guest]

Between D-Day and the end of Operation 'Neptune' on 30 June, the Allied navies landed over 850,000 men, 148,000 vehicles and 570,000 tons of stores on the beaches. By the time the Battle of Normandy ended in August 1944, these numbers had increased to over 2 million men, 400,000 vehicles and 3 million tons of stores and supplies.

[sonoasailor]

This article gives a nice history of the US Tomb of the Unknown Soldier:

https://maritime-executive.com/features/d-day-anniversary-a-time-to-reflect-on-the-unknowns

May we always remember all of those nameless faces that have fought and died in all the wars, and may they all rest in peace....

[VeatherVitch]

2 hours ago, LoveBote said:

Might just be a bit of stung pride here, but it's a annoying that a country that had it's own beach on D-Day has it's leader relegated to the back row of the picture when the leader of the nation we were fighting has a seat on the front row...

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, VeatherVitch said:

Might just be a bit of stung pride here, but it's a annoying that a country that had it's own beach on D-Day has it's leader relegated to the back row of the picture when the leader of the nation we were fighting has a seat on the front row...

I think it is because, what we call the Canadian beach, was in fact, multinational/Commonwealth. Yes the Canadians were the greatest single contributors to that multinational force, but other nations contributed too, Kiwis, Greeks, for example, but many other nations aswell. IThey have made great efforts to open up our interpretation of D Day commemorations, hence for example, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor, assisting and sitting on the front row. Perhaps one day, D Day will also (or rather, more widely) signify the start of the allied effort to liberate Germany from nazi dictatorship, too. An interesting part of the current French govt interpretation of D Day ceremonies is to present D Day as a United Nations operation

[VeatherVitch]

15 minutes ago, LoveBote said:

I think it is because, what we call the Canadian beach, was in fact, multinational/Commonwealth. Yes the Canadians were the greatest single contributors to that multinational force, but other nations contributed too, Kiwis, Greeks, for example, but many other nations aswell. IThey have made great efforts to open up our interpretation of D Day commemorations, hence for example, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor, assisting and sitting on the front row. Perhaps one day, D Day will also (or rather, more widely) signify the start of the allied effort to liberate Germany from nazi dictatorship, too. An interesting part of the current French govt interpretation of D Day ceremonies is to present D Day as a United Nations operation

That's a fair point, but it is frustrating to see Canadian involvement reduced to being "British", or "other" most fo the time. I'm sure the Aussies and Kiwis feel the same about North Africa.

The Allied effort in the war is quite impressive, so many nations with very different goals working together to end  a cruel/evil dictatorship.

[Guest]

20 minutes ago, VeatherVitch said:

That's a fair point, but it is frustrating to see Canadian involvement reduced to being "British", or "other" most fo the time. I'm sure the Aussies and Kiwis feel the same about North Africa.

The Allied effort in the war is quite impressive, so many nations with very different goals working together to end  a cruel/evil dictatorship.

well don't forget, the Canadian Head of State is sitting in the middle, on the front row. In fact, the Canadian Head of State, is the host 

[VeatherVitch]

Just now, LoveBote said:

well don't forget, the Canadian Head of State is sitting in the middle, on the front row. In fact, the Canadian Head of State, is the host 

 

Well played!!!!

[Avenge_December_7]

Don't forget that even before the first landing craft hit the beaches, there were paratroopers and glider troops already descending inland to support the beach landings!