Hello

[dgmitchell]

I was thrilled to find this site referenced in the current issue of World War II Magazine. I have been a student of World War II since I first saw the Audie Murphy Story when I was about 5 years old. Since then, I have read up on World War II as much as my life has allowed. I am really looking forward to the first hand accounts that veterans can offer in these forums.

Although I was born in 1966, I have heard many stories of the War first hand from my parents. My Mother was born on the British island of Guernsey and evacuated to London the night before Germany occupied her home island. She then lived through the Blitz in London and was ultimately evacuated again to Yorkshire. Her father flew with the RAF.

My father joined the Navy in 1944 but he was not inducted until he had graduated from High School in 1945, by which time the war was all but over. Still, even today, he remains steadfast that neither he nor his friends thought twice about enlisting. In his words, "It was never a question of if we would enlist, only a question of when our parents would let us go."

Thanks to all of our veterans and God Bless Them.

Cheers!

David,
Orlando, FL

[Skipper]

Hello David, that's what I call a great introduction message. Welcome. I'd love to hear the stories you would have to share with us about Guernsey and the Blitz.

[krieg]

hi david and welcome aboard
this is a grand place you have came to we all love storys
i hope you enjoy your stay here
best krieg

[Tomcat]

G'day mate and welcome.

A magazine? that is a new one.

[Slipdigit]

Was it a good reference?

Welcome David. Tell us more of your family.

Mussolini, one of our moderators lives in Orlando.

Do you ever see that great big ol' mouse?

[urqh]

Mussolini is a mouse? We got any pics?

Sorry, welcome David.

Would be intrerested in your mums story about evacuation, I know there was a rush to Weymouth. Was she isand born or mainland born as I suppose that would make a big difference to the choice in staying or leaving at the time.

[dgmitchell]

World War II Magazine is a very enjoyable and interesting resource. This forum gets a positive mention on page 18 of the current issue (June/July 2008).

Here is a link to one of the current issue's feature articles (about why Marines survived at higher rates than other US POWs during WWII).

HistoryNet - From the World’s Largest History Magazine Publisher » How Marine POWs Hung Tough

I hope you find it interesting.

[dgmitchell]

I'll see my Mum over the Fourth of July Holiday and I shall ask her to give me all she can remember. Perhaps I can pursuade her to write down what she remembers, as I have been meaning to do that for years.

Much of what she has told me relates to the day to day life of a kid during the war. Not so much a military discussion as a growing up in chaos story. Indeed, her favorite story involves her father coming to see the family and bringing oranges that he had legitimately purchased somewhere. My mother assumed that everything good came from the black market and told everyone that her father was (an officer in the RAF at the time) was trading with black marketeers! She thought it was daring, but her father was less than pleased! I'll get details on the evacuation and of more of her memories that may be of interest and post them as soon as I see her.

As for Mussolini, he appears to live in the next town over from me -- our rivals in Little League baseball! I shall look for his posts!

Cheers!

David

[bigfun]

Welcome David!

Nice story! Looking forward to hearing more!!

[PzJgr]

Howdy and welcome to the forum. Happy posting