New WW2 Web Site

sommecourt · #1 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2002, 07:00 PM

Having had a life-long interest in WW2 (like most of you I'm in my mid-30s)I have finally put together a WW2 web site.

You can find it @:

http://battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/

It concentrates on the subject of visiting the battlefields of WW2; at the moment mainly NW Europe (ETO).

I hope you all don't mind me mentioning it here; I have of course added links to this site!

See you on-line.

Paul Reed

Stevin · #2 (**permalink**) May 6th, 2002, 09:00 AM

Very nice site, Paul! Interesting info. Good info and guide to my Normandy trip which I hope will undertake sometime this year. I look forward to the updates!

C.Evans · #3 (**permalink**) May 7th, 2002, 01:45 AM

Great site paul--I have seen you site before and spent quite a few hours taking a "tour". This is excellent and NEEDED. Now--if you could also do one on Stalingrad--hint hint

sommecourt · #4 (**permalink**) May 8th, 2002, 06:17 PM

Thanks for the positive comments; while I have not (yet!) been to Stalingrad or any of the Eastern Battlefields, it is very much on the cards and I hope that in the meantime if anyone has any experience of visiting these areas they might submit something to the site.

C.Evans · #5 (**permalink**) May 9th, 2002, 12:51 AM

Im DEFINATELY looking forward to seeing what you will gather on that particular topic. Right now, our friend Paul.E. is on a several day tour of Stalingrad and with the vets. I can hardy wait to see what he has to say.

Erich · #6 (**permalink**) May 9th, 2002, 01:56 AM

I throw this out to you as a possible idea for future inclusion on your detailed site.....

have you pssibly thought about covering in photos the RAF and US bomber/fighter airfileds in the UK....... at least what is left of them ?

Erich

sommecourt · #7 (**permalink**) May 10th, 2002, 05:30 PM

At the moment I have no plans for that, as it falls out of my main area of interest. However, if someone wants to write something for the site then I have no problems with that. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Martin Bull · #8 (**permalink**) June 21st, 2002, 04:41 PM

Must say that this website has quickly become a favourite of mine - great links, too, one of which led me to this forum !
I never volunteer for anything, Erich, but I am off to revisit Thorpe Abbotts tomorrow for the 'Bloody Hundredth's' 60th and possibly last reunion. But I don't have a digi camera as yet, sorry!

Stevin · #9 (**permalink**) June 21st, 2002, 04:47 PM

Martin, If you happen to run into my "buddies" Bill Dixon, Joseph Griego and Earl Benham, say Hi to them for me...Although I am not sure that they are there...Mr. Griego might be.

Martin Bull · #10 (**permalink**) June 21st, 2002, 04:58 PM

Hi Stevin
Will gladly do. I met Earl Benham by chance up at Thorpe Abbotts Sept 15th last. It was a weekday, very few people around and we had quite a long conversation - lovely guy ! He's justifiably proud of his book, 'With Crew # 13'.

sommecourt · #11 (**permalink**) June 21st, 2002, 05:02 PM

Thanks Martin for your comments on the site, and glad it has brought some new recruits to this forum.

I hope to be expanding on the site in the Autumn, after my annual two weeks in Normandy and a trip to Arnhem.

Stevin · #12 (**permalink**) June 21st, 2002, 05:06 PM

He wrote me about that visit and how much he enjoyed it!

I am still waiting for his book. That's why I got in touch with him in the first place. He is waiting till he gets a new batch in. They were all sold out. I can't wait! I have never met him, but really enjoy his e-mails!

Sommecourt, sorry for hijacking your thread...<slap>...won't happen again...

[ 21 June 2002, 11:10 AM: Message edited by: Stevin Oudshoorn ]

Bish OBE · #13 (**permalink**) June 22nd, 2002, 04:13 AM

Hi all. Only been on one battelfield tour myself, and that was Cassino a couple of years ago. Loved it. I definatly plan on getting to France when time permits.Good work youve done there mate.

Martin, you ever been to the 8th Air Force libary in Norwich. If not, i highly recommend it.

Friedrich · #14 (**permalink**) June 22nd, 2002, 05:51 AM

Well, I know some battle fields ouside Germany. There are of course the bridges over the Rhin which are very near, and there is Berlin and the Tiergarten which were battlefields...

But outside France I know Sedan (even that 1871 battle is far more important that those of Guderian's XIX Panzerkorps), I know the Somme, Verdun, Dunkirk, Arras and one of the most importants in History: Waterloo.

My grandfather made a trip to Russia in 1995 after my grandmother passed away. I think he wanted to forget her and reconciliate with his past. He saw all his old battle fields and one not of his own, but his camrades: Volgograd...

Martin Bull · #15 (**permalink**) June 23rd, 2002, 08:53 PM

Hi Stevin

Sorry Sommecourt - pinching your thread again for a moment . . .

Just got back from the Thorpe Abbotts reunion - your three guys weren't there,Stevin. Ten veterans made the journey with their families. I was able to talk at length to Alvin Meiklejohn, Glenn Rake, 'Buzz' Fitzroy , Richard Long and, most memorably, Hong Kong Wilson ( what a character ! ). Beautiful weather, and plenty of 'Brits' there - a great day. The Thorpe Abbotts shop still has copies of Earl Benham's book for sale.
I'm really sorry, Sommecourt, I'll make amends by saying , everybody,

VISIT SOMMECOURT'S WEBSITE !

All the best
Martin

Stevin · #16 (**permalink**) June 23rd, 2002, 10:31 PM

Martin,

Glad to hear you had a 'swell' time. I love hanging around these 'old codgers'. Just got an e-mail from mr. Benham. He remembers having that conversation with you. Small world, eh! Knew about the reunion. Just couldn't make it. Real glad to hear these men made it over!

Thanks for letting me know.

And for my part; SOMMECOURT's site on European batllefields is the BEST you will find. VISIT IT!

Stevin