Sword Beach to Bremen., A Veterans tale. Sapper

Brian,
I have been away from my home for many weeks, just caught up with your posts. You allow my mind to wander to another time, and thankfully not have to live the horror of the war. Thanks for posting your memories of a dreadful time in human history. Lest we forget, my children may be shooting at someone elses, God forbid!

 

I see that a Staff Sgt has just been awarded a George Medal for extreme bravery, by lifting mines to rescue someone in a mine field. Great lad. Well done!

But I cannot help but think: that we would have won a basket full of medals, lifting mines, by prodding for schu mines. And under shell and mortar fire.... Under totally different conditions..... Where the enemy had zeroed in his artillery, on the known whereabouts of the minefield.

The Sappers lifted 250,000 of mines in Holland Schu, Regal,Teller, and S mines. Not to mention hidden charges, and booby traps.
AH! Its a different World today.
Cheers
Where's me flaming Gong? Big Grin!
Sapper

 

Brian,

I've been away from your thread for too long...been catching up the last few days. As always, thank you for everything that you've shared with us here. I always enjoy your words. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and take care.

 

Hi CD.
Summers coming mate, and these old bones need a bit of warmth and sunshine
B

 

May you continue to live and love Brian, and I hope the warmth is a good change for you, please keep well and safe.

 

Great! The sun came out today. Sadly its only 9C outside. All round my garden I have solar garden lights. White and coloured... Signs of the times, they stay on longer at night. BIG GRIN !

The local police helicopter must have seen them while on a practice flight...The bloody idiots came right over our house to have a closer look.

I thought the house was going to fall down with the vibrations... But good old solid Purbeck Stone wants some shifting.
Cheers Robert
B

 

Its quite amazing how many friends iv'e made. Several of them have travelled great distances to visit. Soon, another good friend is coming over from Canada when they visit Europe.
B

 

Wish you were referring to me, Brian! Unfortunately, I won't touch down in the UK this time around. I will however be following some of your path from Normandy to Holland - you will be in my thoughts as will your posts about your experiences.

 

dear brian,
hope you are well,and i was wondering if you can cast your mind back to june 44.what was the consensus among soldiers about general montgomery being in command of overlord,and normandy.i know your own views,but it would be good to hear of others views,if you have any memories.keep well brian,cheers.

 

From what I recall, Monty was held in high regard.... A proven strategist and more important, he never wasted men's lives.

His tactics in Normandy were masterful. Culminating in the virtual destruction of the German army in Normandy "Falaise" He took Normandy ten days to a fortnight ahead of schedule. In the early days when we were vastly outnumbered he kept the initiative by a series of constant attacks. Never giving the enemy a chance to put together a giant armoured punch to drive us into the channel. Here, there, everywhere! getting them, running from sector to sector, plugging the potential gaps. While we built up our strength.
Masterful !

The Americans did not like him... But they were quick enough to put him in overall charge at the battle of the Bulge. They soon looked for a pair of safe hands at that time..
Cheers

 

Did I upset someone? Not unusual, Its been known to happen

Sapper

 

Hi Brian, Ive been away and i've missed you on here! Hope all is well with you have you anything nice planned for the summer months?

Take care mate and i dont think you have upset anybody anyway who cares if you have youve earned the right!

 

This how you test a blown bridge. Weert Holland..

 

Brian,
I hope you had a great Resurection Day (Easter). I have always wondered about Monty, living on this side of the pond, I always heard he was a windbag, I also see his war record and have to agree with you as a stratigist he was spot on. Everyone makes mistakes occasionally, unfortunately in war that means people die when maybe they shouldn't have. After talking with a couple British Vets who were on holiday over here in the US, they seem to share your views on Monty. I shutter when I read of the way some of the Russian generals threw masses of human life at the Germans. The ratrio to the number of Russians killed to Germans killed is staggering.

 

Many British WWII veterans I have spoken to were very fond of Monty. There was one that I met at a WWII Veterans meeting in London. This man served with Lt. Colonel John Frost at Arnhem Bridge during Operation Market Garden. I recall him saying "Damn Monty and Damn 30th Corps".

 

Then Colonel Frost might have born in mind, the men that gave their lives in the attempt to get to them. I took part in Market Garden, and witnessed myself the heroic efforts that men made to get to Arnhem. And those that gave their lives in the attempt.

I do worry about soldiers of any rank that complain. They were given a job to do.They did it very well End of story.

If anyone has any doubts about Arnhem they should recall that it was long odds but the rewards were the war over by Christmas and we would be in Berlin FIRST What a difference that would have made with hindsight....

It must all be known that the Rockets landing in England were coming from that area.

I loath gripers.....Specially those that only see one side of the story.
Sapper

 

I agree with you. Monty was a great strategist. It's war there are risks in everything. Market Garden did gain some ground and was successful at a great cost of life. Yes the V weapons were a factor along with the Ruhr as another target. Me personally would have given Patton the gas. But this is just coming from an American

 

I guess it is easy for the armchair strategist to look back with a more complete picture and say "WE should have done something different.", but end the end what did Market Garden cost the Germans in defense, how many men were diverted from the Russians, and although it didn't meet it's final objectives, it did gain quite a bit.

 

It did achieve its goals...I would have went about it another way. But then again I'm not in Monty's position