Sword Beach to Bremen., A Veterans tale. Sapper

I am sure the men at Tidworth enjoyed your talk. I sure wish I could have heard it!

 

Hello all, especially to Mr Sapper.

I am new to this site, I stumbled upon it as I was trying to find out a little more about my Grandad’s experience of D-day and Sword Beach. I 'Googled' and clicked on a link which directed me here, and I have to say that I'm very pleased it did.

I have read some of Mr Sapper’s accounts of D-day and beyond, not quite all of them yet, I have some catching up to do since they date back to 2002! They are remarkable stories and beautifully written, it is a privilege to get a firsthand account of what happened. I regret not having had the opportunity to ask my Grandad questions about D-day, (sadly he died when I was a baby), and so to have an insight in to what life was like through one man’s eyes is very much appreciated.

Whilst the stories are so well written they encapsulate the scene, reading them is still a world away from experiencing it first hand and I can but only imagine the true horrors. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Sapper for his postings, I am truely captivated by these and although I have things to do today, I will be back tomorrow to read more!

Pause for thought......
Today the sun is shining, I will enjoy the peaceful walk in to town, listening to my iPod, I will enjoy shopping with friends as most girls do! And I will enjoy catching up with my boyfriend this evening over a bottle of wine and DVD. How very different the world is today. How very grateful I am to men, like my Grandad, like Mr Sapper and like many more who fought for their king, for their country and for future generations to enjoy a free world. I will be enjoying this day, and remembering those that have enabled me to do so.

Thank you for today

X

 

Howdy Laura and welcome to the forum. It is a fine thing to see someone appreciate all that they have and to give thanks to those who sacrificed for today's blessings. Indeed, Sapper and his comrades are indeed an honored group.

 

That was nice Laura. But I must be honest .The only reason that I write these articles or postings, is just to keep the memory alive of those that never came home. Nevertheless your posting was delightful
Sapper

 

Well, i think it is wonderful that you do. Your articles really bring home the true extent of the sacrifice that was made by so many, I don't see how that could ever be forgotten.

 

Sapper! I am reading every word you typed. My Father hardly ever talked about his experience during the War. My little brother got him to talk a little. HE went in at 20yrs old (10/15/1942) & discharged at 23yrs (10/16/1945). Survive 5 major Battles & Campaigns with the 120th Anti-Tank Company 30th Division (Old Hickory).
1)Normandy
2)Northern France
3)Rhineland
4)Ardennes-Alsace
5)Central Europe
I read post from every Veteran who is willing to share there story. You made HISTORY! Thank You!
IBBARR

 

Sapper,
Thanks for sharing such an informative insight into the reality of war. My wife and I, came across your threads by accident. Such a fascinating, well written, account of your wartime experiences. You are an inspiration to folk today, you write with dignity, and portray a real sense of humanity. I am embarking on researching, my deceased fathers wartime experience in the Royal Marines. Sadly I failed to question him enough during his lifetime, and desperately want learn now. This has helped to fuel me.
Thanks once again,
Terrence & Pippa

 

Thank you for the kind message.
From my experience you may find tracing service men back in WW2 difficult,The main reason was that they were moved all over the place, Under command Etc.
Cheers
Sapper

 

hi i have been watching the forums for little over a year and i decided to sigh up to day i must say this was quiet a story you Mr.sapper i am very glad that you shard this with us i also i think the wooden bullets where used training and i guess the smell my be the oil they used in their hair or maybe the cigarettes or wine they used thank you for sharing this experience with this sight. and really i love British tanks my favorite was the firefly was a excellent idea i must say. it would be nice to know how it was like to fight along side one if u ever did! sorry i spelled British wrong

 

Tanks? great big blundering things. I have travelled on the back of a Sherman into battle Did not like it at all.
Cheers Sapper

 

i did once at one of those ww2 recreation things but i got in trouble cause i was not allowed on it.... very short to i liked it

 

Hi Sapper,
I am a little late to this party, but Have been reading your post in order, afraid to miss anything. I had read post #181 and wanted to comment on those who give service above and beyond not expecting reward.
I am a veteran of the US Navy, not during war though. I have met those who's service is extraordinary, and it is a compliment to them that they are not rewarded. That their performance standards are so high and consistant is testimony that their deeds, although valorous and exemplory, are the "norm" for those individual. I often see those who are rewarded are those who were quite ordinary that step up to the level of the afore mentioned. That said, I wold not wish anyone to think I am degrading those who's stardards are high, quite the opposite. I, like you, think that they should be rewarded for their consistantly high standard of action and valor. Those who rise from a mediocre level to this high standard should also be rewarded, I believe any man who fights in combat, and does not run deserves our highest respect. Those who accel beyond this deserves our recognition!
Those who gave the highest price demand our respect, recognition, and most of all our gratitude by conducting ourselves in a manner that in times of peace preserves the freedoms that they fought and paid for.
Forgive me if this sounds like it turned into a rant, I have the utmost respect for you and your generation, thank you for my freedom.
John

 

Hi John Cheers mate Brian (Sapper)

 

Brian,
I was just wondering, you said you mistrusted the sten gun and for good reason from what you wrote. Did you ever have the opportunity to use the M-1 Garand, and what were your thoughts on that weapon?

 

Hi Pleased to know you. No, I never used any weapon except British and German. I carried the Bren through my time, and thought it great bit of kit, For me it produced a pattern of five with one in the middle.
I also had my rifle and a Sten. I have tried a Schmeiser light MC gun, it was quite outstanding. But using it could cost your life, as the sound was distinctive and could attract a burst from your mates.It did happen, men were killed. Company orders forbade the use of German waepons for that reason we all knew the sound of them...
Cheers and best wishes.
Sapper

 

Sir, pleasure to make your acquaintance. I read your account of Falaise Pocket and I was shocked by your description of the carnage that was beyond belief. It certainly gave me a new appreciation of Normandy as one of the turning point of the war.

 

Sir i am mesmoriesed by your story my great grandfather also fought on the normandy beach head and in sicily.

 

Brian,
I to have heard the notion that the "Northern Beaches" had it easy and always found it hard to believe. I am glad that you have set the record straight. As a child in the seventies I use to play war with my boyhood friends. Seeing the "John Waynes" of the big screen glamorize heroism in a clean and tity fashion, we romantisized landing at Normandy, or a Pacific Island. Of course now that I am older I have a different view of what war really is and how wasteful it always is.
My children (2 boys, 12yrs and 13yrs) are home schooled and will have your post and others on this forum as required reading. I want them to grow up with a realistic view of war.
I teach them that no war is good, all waste the life blood of a nations future. But there are things worth fighting for and freedom is one of them. Thank you for your post, live free and peaceful my new friend.
John

 

Thank John... Very much.... for the kindness. You are right..... What is not often realised, is that this Country had fought a war across the globe, resulting in the loss of the cream of our manhood...

Where that became such a major disaster, was after the war when the Country Was completely bankrupt...Then we really suffered for we were missing those young men that would have aggressively pushed our Country forward. Sadly. That driving force was not there ....It was missing.
Sapper