Of course you all know that in a few days we'll be going through the 60th anniversary of the greatest invasion the world has ever seen as well as the death-day of many men. But how important is this in the life of someone who is not interested in WWII? I asked a few friends of mine "what happened 60 years ago in a few days?" The answers varied from "uh...my grandma was born?" to "i don't know and frankly i dont care..." to "who the heck are you?" [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Only 2 out of the 14 people i've asked knows the answer. What has happened in the past to put such a memorable day to the back of everyone's heads? Same with the "day that will live in infamy"...
The calendar on my wall has "Canada Day" and "Flag day" and even "Parent's day" (which I didn't know existed) yet June 6th is empty.

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[ 01. June 2004, 02:09 PM: Message edited by: Eisenhower ]

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

I've been quite surprised by this anniversary - here in the UK there have been a load of special TV programmes, and every newspaper seems to have run a 'D-Day Special'. Guys at work who have no interest in military history are coming up and asking me questions about Normandy.....

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

this is true here as well (newspapers, magazines, and television are filled with d-day material), but i guess 16 and 17 year old guys and girls have no interest in history. nevertheless, even from adults i'm not hearing too much about it.

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

TV here is full of "specials" or war movies,too. Heard on the radio this morning about the pre-race "recognition to D-day" at the Nascar race. A Stealth fighter and 2 P-51 Mustangs flew over. [img]tongue.gif[/img] I did'nt see it though.

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I suppose it is a matter of what you are interested in. We are interested in history while others are interested in soap operas, sports, movies stars ect. Some people can tell you the whole NFL line up for the last ten years and wonder what is wrong with everbody else that can't name the players and their stats. Others believe history should be history and left alone. [img]graemlins/no.gif[/img]

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Work Harder ! Millions on welfare are depending on you.

In britian apparently about 75% of under 25 do not about d-day. This was a poll in the daily mirror, okay not the best paper, but nonetheless very interesting. one person was aked when it happened and she said 1962 and another was asked where and said japan. they were very easy question that if history was taught properly in school this people would know the answers. it is a great shame that the veterans are being fortgotten about because of a curriculum that is trying to be politically correct instead of trying to teach future generations about the great deads of our past. Things which really matter and have a great imprtance in todays world.

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Thoughts on Military History
Cornish Scale Modellers
Ross' Military Modelling and Art

Can't say that I'm surprised. [img]graemlins/no.gif[/img]

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

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thanks for the stats, mahross. i was wondering how bad it was in england and canada. i'm still working on the US [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[img]graemlins/no.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/no.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/no.gif[/img] it's a dang shame...

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

it hasn't changed throughout the world when one considers say 1500 WW 2 vets die per day, the younger generation has no clue to what has given them the freedoms that they possess..........

Well, believe me that it is much worse in Mexico. If in countries like Great Britain, the USA and Canada, the countries that were there people don't know what D-day is, let elone when and where; what can you expect from Mexicans, whose country was not there? Many people around here don't even know Mexico fought in WWII... let alone they know about 201st squadron... [img]graemlins/no.gif[/img]

By the way, last month I had dinner with three Mexican veterans of the 201st squadron. One was a captain and flew many combat missions in the Philippines. The other two were mechanics from ground crews. [img]smile.gif[/img]

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"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

I am afraid I have to correct Mahross on a small point...

My brother goes to state school. He has just returned from a field trip to the WW1 battlefields and has already covered WW2 in history. Both the world wars are covered in the curriculum (well they are at my bros school!).

Newspapers run these sort of things for all sorts of anniversaries. I rememeber seeing one on the 50th anni of D-Day. I think they selectively choose to print the dumbest responses, cos lets face it, thats what sells the paper... No-one wants to read that the kids all know about D-Day! Not that I am saying they do mind!!!

On a final note my brother is well upto speed on the events of 6o years ago... Well he knows that the Tiger is the best tank ever!

Dunno where he got that idea...

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"Watch that Fu*ker, he'll 'ave someones eye out!" King Harold at Hastings 1066.

do you guyz think that the Arnhem and Ardenne vets will get any attention later this year ?

I am wondering....

Or even better yet,in 20-30 years when there are no living vets. Probably be forgotten like "the war to end all wars" was.

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I haven't received a itinery or something for this years Arnhem commemorations, but as I understand Martin will be present. I assume a lot is organized for September.

I haven't heard anything about any Ardennes commemorations, however.

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"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" - Homer Simpson

(banner by Otto)
www.basher82.nl

There is a full itinerary for the Arnhem September events to be found on the front page of the ABRG website. If all goes well and to plan, I intend to be there.

There certainly will be things happening in the Ardennes during December but mainly centring on private groups of veterans. There will definitely be commemorations in Bastogne and I believe the Poteau'44 Museum is holding special events.

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

I hope veterans from Arnhem and the Bulge are honoured as they deserve.

So I hope veterans from the Philippines, Leyte Gulf and Kohima-Imphal are remembered.

But what about last year? February 3rd 2003 was the LX anniversary of the German defeat at Stalingrad. Was it even mentioned? No. [img]graemlins/no.gif[/img] Maybe not as impressing as D-day, but more important for the defeat of Nazi Germany... [img]graemlins/no.gif[/img]

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"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

Fair point.

It seems to me that commemoration of many such anniversaries ( with the exception of D-Day, which seemed to have major political importance this year ) has much to do with the enthusiasm and drive of local organisations, museums, enthusiast groups, or similar.

For instance, the Hartenstein Museum is the focus and driving force of many of the Arnhem events. Last year's 'Dambuster' commemorations were organised in many instances by specialised museums in Lincolnshire working together. And in the Ardennes, the local Tourist Authority are working with Chambers of Commerce and local museums again to host events.

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

Think the enthusiasm of our younger folk is what is going to get the ceremonies under way. Select interested historical groups are the key to keep the memories alive. It is a rare thing that an individual or groups of vets will have the fortitude to keep the memory of past battles still ever present in our minds but it needs to be done and not forgotten. One thing I appreciate about our forum veteran Sapper(Brian); allowing us to share his struggles during the conflict.

thumbs up Brian !!

do wish the D-day memorial and the 8th Air force museum was not on the east coast of the States. It will be sometime before i do get a chance to see these fine places as it will be Normandie and the interior as well as the known gravesite of my deceased KIA German cousin.

Martin could you please post the ABRG.

you guyz all know how I feel about interviewing the veterans that are still amongst us.........just go do it !! and thank them for there participation and giving it all for us.

if the young age teenagers will not do this and continue the no care attitude then all will be lost and it will be an old dream. Time to teach them gents.

v/r

Erich ~

Martin pardon me. could you please type in the ABRG web-site addy for us ?

Fried, I witnessed about two days ago a TV program covering Rommel and the AFrika Korp. Ac oupld of British vets remarked and it got me thinking.......

they felt that it just wasn't Stalingrad that became the war turner but also the inclusion of the defeat of the Afrika Korp at El Alamein.

that was interesting I thought......

Sorry, Erich - the ABRG site can be found at : -

http://home.wxs.nl/~peter.vrolijk/ABRG.html

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

Erich:

I wouldn't argue with veterans, but even if El Alamein was very important, El Alamein itself was decided by the Battle of Malta… and even with this. The German defeat in North Africa didn't change the general tide of the war and Stalingrad did.

Or at least that's what I firmly believe.

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"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

not sure now Fried, as it did diplace quite a few needed German soldiers that could of easily been used elsewhere. But no we are pondering on the what-if's..........and I shant go there