On this anniversary date dont forget those who fell (on both sides) during that trying time.

We certainly won't forget those brave men whether they survived or not.
This 63rd anniversary is going to be very nice . Several hundred veterans are expected at the beaches: Americans , British, Canadians (especially at Caen) , let us remember the other nations who participated at D-Day.

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Although I Hated last year, it was all about 666 and the Devil. It was like those brave men where forgotton last year.

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The brave lads which fought on this historic date will always be remembered.

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The war against Russia will be such that it cannot be conducted in a knightly fashion. This struggle is one of ideologies and racial differences and will have to be conducted with unprecedented, unmerciful and unrelenting harshness. -Adolf Hitler

I'm glad that this announcement did not have to be released by SHAEF:

Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the Air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone. July 5

Dwight D. Eisenhower, General, United States Army

Quite a contrast to the pols of today who are adept at passing off blame for disasters.

Attached Images

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Best Regards,
JW

Me too, I would be writing this post auf Deutsch otherwise!

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I think that when people say if the Germans won the war, you would still be speaking your own language, even if you where occupied by another country.

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This was my little joke (in fact I speak English because D-Day was a success)

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Skipper, I would suspect that your English is far better than my French.

My total French output:

Parlez-vous Fracais? (I don't know how to type a 'c' with that little tail on it.

Omlette du Fromage - nods to Steve Martin for that one.

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Best Regards,
JW

Well, I must admit I am not exactly a native from la belle France

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it's been quite interesting for me with my leg injuries - propped up to stop, recollect and phone and email some of the US 8th AF flyers and get their perspectives of the Luftw. particpation over France the first week of June 44. they seemed non-existant the first day while the dive bombings and raod strafings took place and then all of sudden the Luftw. day fighter force woke up but could never be a contender in the air ever again..........

Yes, It took a few days for several units to be operational. Some were based in Austria, Germany etc.. and even if the aircrafts could cross the country fast, the ground units had to follow in trucks or anything that could fly or drive and the men needed to sleep a few hours a day.

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funny many of them were at the stage to fly back into Germany for home defense.

just checked the data : 23 Luftw. day fighter gruppen took part on June 7th 44 while another 4 more came later in June/July and even a short stint in August of 44. these 27 took the brunt of the Allied might and paid for it dearly with several heading back home to Germany for a complete refit in men and machines

Yes, we were talking about Jg27 the other day, I am still amazed by the amount of pilots that were lost for this unit for example.

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God Speed to all who took part

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Facta non verba. "Deeds, not words"

I'm sorry but America does not honor its enemies. This is a day to remember all Allied servicemen who sacrificed all they had so that others may be free.

This is coming from someone who has Erwin Rommel as an avator? Interesting

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The war against Russia will be such that it cannot be conducted in a knightly fashion. This struggle is one of ideologies and racial differences and will have to be conducted with unprecedented, unmerciful and unrelenting harshness. -Adolf Hitler

My avatar is a fictional movie character and has nothing to do with D-Day or this thread.

Death has no nationality and all soldiers suffered, no matter whether allied or axis.

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Once again, wise words from Skipper !

My only exception being the soldiers who willingly adopted the criminal nazi ideology, like many SS did for example : no honnor for criminals !

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Police cars carry three agents. The first one can read, the second one can write and the third one keeps watch on those dangerous intellectuals.
Unknown subversive activist - 20th century.

Two things I learnt by watching the news yesterday:

1) the number of visitors at the Colleville cemetery in Normandy reaches the amazing figure of 1 million people every year from all nationalities.

2) only 15% of the amno around the beaches has been found and the marine goes out on mining missions almost every day. It is expected that bombs will be found for at least another hundred years. The example shown on tv was a concrete anti tank mine made with 30mn shells that was still perfectly intact after 63 years.

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