Sword Beach to Bremen., A Veterans tale. Sapper

good on you brian,inspirational.best wishes,lee.

 

Cheers Lee, take care,
B

 

Tilly.
Or, what was left of it.
Now! I have not the slightest idea what I was doing in Tilly, I cannot remember going there, or being on temporary loan, but I did get to Tilly, It may have been while we were on the move, whatever, I have a crystal clear recall of Tilly,and could confidently walk down the slope that once was the main road today, without the need for directions.

Tilly was in the centre of the British sector and the battles had raged back and forth over this little town until it was reduced to just a pile of rubble, I cannot remember how many times it had changed hands, all I can say is that the tank battles that took place there had reduced it as though it had been put through a mincer. As usual I was carrying the Bren machine gun and had set up the gun pointing down the slope of what was once the main street, with the Bren leaning on what was left of a windowsill, just a few bricks where the window had once been. I can remember kneeling down with the Bren and by my left leg was a severed arm still with the sleeve on it, and just a foot away, a boot with a foot still in it! All covered in the fine grey dust so typical of Normandy. I cannot remember anything else except the devastation, a friend of mine on holiday in France, went out of his way to Tilly,. knowing I had been there, he photographed several scenes of this now quiet little town, (Now returned to its normal pace of life) and I can pick out exactly where I kneeled down all those years ago, even though the buildings are new. This is the annoying thing about recall, some things I can remember crystal clear, others are completely gone, not surprising really, its over 66 years ago!
Sapper

 

Dear Sir,

Thank you for sharing with us your time and energy to tell us about your horrific, saddening, and wholly enthralling accounts of WW2 and Normandy. When I type, I type for my whole generation, not many people of my age, 16, realize the sacrifice and horror you have endured in order to preserve a world established in foundations of freedom and equality. From the depths of my heart I send you my unending thanks for allowing us as human beings to live in a society unhampered by scars of racism and hatred. We will take these messages from the past and ensure that they are not repeated in the future

I have just begun to read your accounts and re-tellings, and these move me far more than any movies or books I have read or watched about World War Two.

Sir, again, it has been a privilege for me to read and thank you for sharing your story with us, and I am deeply honoured by the sacrifice and courage that you undertook in order for us to live in the world we live in today.

Thank you,

A teenager who cares.

 

Thank I am pleased you found it interesting
Sapper

 

Sapper, you are such a good storyteller, I always look forward to each new addition to your story.

 

Hi Jim

 

It’s funny really, for writing about the real horrors of warm can oddly enough. Glorify it....
The Nazis used that Glorification for their own ends. In the occupied lands they put up posters showing the SS, as “heroic figures” Posters that would appeal to the impressionable young men.
The base we used to sally forth from into action, was a wooded building camp. (It was badly shelled and mortared) but we could gather enough to give us cover.

The odd thing about it was that it was a Dutch Youth SS training camp.
I used to get very angry, when I witnessed young girls being abused because they had German boyfriends. In fact, I threatened to belt a Dutch man with my rifle butt, as he stood over a group of young girls, up to their waists in dirty ditch water. I don’t think he realised just how close he came to having his jaw busted.

Saved by the arrival of my officer, who ordered me, “Leave it Sapper”
He told me this. ”Its none of our business, all we can do is get in the way sometimes”
I hope that never again, will we sacrifice our young men’s lives for our freedom. That so precious gift that we cherish as our right. Never again to have to get out of a comfortable hole in the ground, to face a withering hail of fire.
Sapper.

 

Sapper,
As I read your last posts I was reminded of a man I knew who was in the South Pacific theatre who once told me, "If it wasn't for all the bad things in war it would have been the best of times". I never understood that, but as I read your posts, and others on this site, I can see the commradery, common purpose, and sense of accomplishment one could derive from setting the world free of undesirables like Hitler. I can also see how it gets romanticized by those who have never been "in the thick of it". Thanks for giving us the whole story.
Cheers
John

 

For all the young men that stayed behind. The years flashed by and their voices grow quieter.The faces now blurred. No longer walking through high fields of Corn. No longer the distant call ...Remember Me ...remember Me!

Soon we shall all depart.....Then who will remember us... Who.




Quietly! Quietly!

Whisper my Name.

So many long years ago I died, under Norman apple trees.
But now my Spirit wanders, as a warm and gentle breeze.
Hush! Quietly, Whisper my name, in that long forgotten place.
Then feel the warmth of my Spirit, caress lightly on your face.

For now, I am the jewelled Summer Lark, that soars on high.
Bright in heavens concert hall, my song will fill the sky.
I am the tumbling cloud’s that rise, to touch the face of Joy.
No longer held by earthly bonds, a once young and vital boy.

In an instant life was swept away, in a brutal savage war.
Look not for me in Normandy, for I am there no more.
I am the peace in woodland glades, in veiled cascades of green.
Feel me close, in your times of joy, sensed, but never seen.

Whisper my name, and hear my voice, in cascading woodland spring,
Or England's flowered primrose banks, wherein the bluebells ring.
Don’t mourn for me, quietly call my name, I'll visit in your dreams.
And, fill your mind with the beauty, of heavens joyous scenes.

Hush! Hush! Just whisper,

quietly, call my name.

Whisper quietly.

Brian Guy

 

People shall remember, i can safely tell that... only history written in blood shall be remembered. and perhaps we can tell one day to our future generations about a time where morality and patriotism were much more than words in a dictionary.

Have you considered publishing all of this in a book?

It will be just a small measure to honor those who gave all, so that we may lack none.

Regards,
TBA

 

great thread,my grandfather was in the 6th airborne then the green howards from normandy to germany,the list of locations enroute is an eye opener.

 

I will remember and so will my children. Freedom has always cost lives.

 

It has been awhile since you've posted, Brian. I hope all is well and that you have had a wonderful Christmas.

 

Thank you Sapper for your posts. I found them very worthwhile. It is not enough that the war was fought it also has to be remembered. I salute you for writing this for us to learn from. To rehash some of this must have been very difficult for you. I myself was born just before the war started and have lived through it as a youngster. I remember some of the fighting and the bombings but because of my age had no real worries about it at that time. It is good to hear about the hardships many had to endure to give us the oppertunity live in a peaceful country. It is so easily taken for granted but acounts of war as experienced by people like yourself shake us awake and give us warning. Again thank you for your remittance. Martin O.

 

How pleasant to see the site up and running again. The Virus messages had warned me off, and its been a long time
Sapper

 

Dear Sapper,

I am an Australian who is 19 years old. I am not sure if you know but Australia has been heavily influenced by America culture over the last half century or so. I do not believe that it is fair, as an Australian and a history enthusiast to always hear about the Americans in Europe and the Pacific and rarely the British. Thankyou for all the stories and I will definately be refering you to my mates.

 

That is my pet hate at the moment. The avalanche of films and documentaries emanating from the USA, has done the British and Commonwealth forces a great disservice... Those American films have done so much, that their "Film Versions" are now seen as the genuine history of WW2.

Specially the D Day operation. Where on Sword Beach, And Juno, the British and Canadians tackled the "far and away" most heavily defended area on the whole of the invasion coast. What we did have, was a disciplined and well prepared assault groups. The RE gapping teams, and demolition teams, carried out their work in a disciplined and efficient manner. No matter the opposition.... (The Americans claimed we had it easy).....,

Indeed the REs that removed the beach obstacles, carried on, even though the tide was running in fast, they were still doing their job, some of then drowned ., That is the sort of Dedication that should never be forgotten.

It was then claimed by the USA that we had it easy where we landed...Not true, the defences on Sword were in depth and back to "Hillman" that defensive position was; 450 meters by 650 meters of guns.... untouched be bomb or shell.

Sadly, I have to tell you that since my earlier postings, I have lost all my old Veteran mates that I chatted to over the phone...While I have lost my best friends, I have no enemies either.......At the age of 86.... I outlived them!
Sapper

 

Hit the nale on the head with that one mate.