Hello again.
Thank you for all the postings that you very kindly sent to me. I am absolutely convinced that an Internet program of this type should be interactive. Where people, young, old, or any age come to that, can ask questions about times long past, and get honest, and knowledgeable answers. Not only that, but also to be able to discuss sensibly, what different ‘peoples’ think of all this? That makes it all worth while!

Today. I would like, if I may, try bringing into play, another aspect of war. For despite the horror and heartbreak, the dreadful loss of good friends and mates, there are other humorous events, and music, that brings back, and creates so realistically the atmosphere of wartime.

Come with me, and for just for a moment, try to imagine you are part of a small band of very determined young men! Today you are in Normandy, in that dreadful killing area between Caen and the coast. There is gathered around you, a small group of lively young men full of banter and leg pulling. It is a beautiful Summers day, the morning is fresh without a cloud in the sky, it is great to be alive! For you are young, and believe, with the cockiness of youth, that nothing could ever happen to you! We are just behind the front line, and are going to assist in an assault on a village on the road to Caen. There is only desultory shell and mortar fire, with the occasional burst of machine guns fire in the distance. For today’s drive forward will entail you getting into the thick of the coming battle, we, in the Eighth Brigade, are going to lead off an assault by clearing mines from the path of the infantry, and the tanks. It is not going to be easy, and some of that little group of friends will not be returning, for the area we are going to clear is exposed to the Enemies direct view.

I, as usual, have the Bren Machine Gun over my shoulder, and have several spare magazines stuffed in my pockets. We have all that we need, Commando knives, grenades, It is essential that we can move fast in this operation, that’s if we are to survive, to that end, it is khaki denim trousers and tunics, with the sleeves rolled up.

But here is the oddity that sets the scene, near us is a radio playing from the AFN (American Forces network), with Glen Miller’s music, As we prepare for the assault, we listened to Tuxedo Junction. String of Pearls, American Patrol and Moonlight Serenade. Just try to imagine the scene. The Big swing band on a beautiful hot Summers morning, while this small, Piratical band of youngsters, prepare for God knows what is to come. As this little group set off towards the enemy, from behind us we can still hear the Glen Miller music in the distance, until it fades away. But now, the music that one is going to hear is of a very different melody, it will be orchestrated by shell, mortar, and machine gun, sometimes, sadly, accompanied by a quiet call for help from a badly wounded soldier. Can any of you imagine this? Much later, we would return in rather less numbers than we set out, so hopefully earlier that day. Oh Yes! I remember! I Remember. Can any of you imagine this?
Sapper.