Dear Forum readers,

Maybe you would like to read some first hand eyewitness reports of WWII. From Normandy and beyond..stories about determination, strength, brotherhood and above all courage... Please check out one of the 73 stories collected so far... Please let me know what you think of my project....

http://www.normandy1944.info

Sincerely,

Frank Everards

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The eyewitness website

Frank, thanks for the link and welcome to the forum! Enjoy your stay here.

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You are about to embark on the great crusade towards which we have striven these many months - Eisenhower

Yes indeed - a warm welcome here Frank, and thank you for sharing your website with us.

I was especially interested to read 'Wild Bill' Guarnere's recollections - we were discussing him on this Forum just a few days ago.

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Wild Bill Guarnere Discussion
If what Martin was talking about interests you at all, check it out.

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You are about to embark on the great crusade towards which we have striven these many months - Eisenhower

Very cool, I have actually had first hand stories given to me also. I'm native to maryland and the 29th light division (national guard) was actually the First wave onto Omaha. That is who Tom hanks portrayed in his movie..But my great grandfather and a friend of his both served on omaha and made it through.

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I love the smell of BBQ wings in the morning

Wow...so many new recruits. Welcome to the forum, Shock. Wow, again I seem to be the only one with grandparents or parents not in the war. I'll start a thread about that.

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You are about to embark on the great crusade towards which we have striven these many months - Eisenhower

I'm with you Eisenhower, no one over on this side is in the war,lol. I would like to see that thread, I'll give you the honors.

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Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it- Sun Tzu

Are there any sites with German eyewitness accounts? 73 stories from the allies is fantastic but wouldn't it be fascinating to hear something from a guy watching & defending against 20,000 troops coming ashore?

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Der große Stoß Büstenhalter auf Ihrem Kopf!!

You're absolutely right, Bratwurst - but I don't know of any online resource for 'the other side of the hill'.

In all my collection, the only book which gives vivid, first-hand accounts of D-Day from the German point-of-view is Paul Carell's ' Invasion - They're Coming ' published in the '60s and since reprinted in paperback a couple of times. It's not easy to find but well worth the effort of looking.

It's not only D-Day which has this problem - Arnhem and ( especially ) the Bulge are very lacking in first-hand German narratives.

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Herr Sausage you will have to consult with one of the German ground combat unit histories. Most probably not written due to the incredibly high attrition during the off shore bombardments.........who was left ?

E ▌3Y≥‼

Another one I'd recommend is Colonel Hans Von Luck's 'Panzer Commander' which I think is still available via Amazon in paperback.

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

There's also D-Day by Stephen Ambrose has some good eyewitness accounts from the other side. That's definelty one of Ambrose's better qualities I must say and he has some good accounts in their.

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Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it- Sun Tzu

U could always consult one of Dr. Jochen Prien/Gerhard Stemmer luftwaffe aviation histories if this is a requirement of interest ? And yes there was more activity than just JG 26 Pips Priller and wingman on the 6-6-44.

~E I┌¼3├▬

OTF, after finishing the book, I agree with you. Though, I would like to see more of the German perspective of looking out to see and seeing nothing but Allied ships.
Anyway, I have started the thread mentioned earlier: Stories of our Fathers if you're interested in reading or adding...

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You are about to embark on the great crusade towards which we have striven these many months - Eisenhower

I think that the website is a great idea. Stories of war need to be remembered since war is sadly a part of our culture. [img]graemlins/rk.gif[/img]

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Squirrel Reporting, Sir/Ma'am!