OT: Never Forget
- Thread starter shsdawg
- Start date
no kidding. Can you imagine going through all of that just to take pictures and have some lab guy destroy them.
Still, he got off easy compared to a lot of young men that day...
Still, he got off easy compared to a lot of young men that day...
I took at Omaha back in 2010. The cemetery, which is on the bluff above Easy Red sector at Omaha, will bring tears to your eyes.
Easy Red from the Cemetery
Does anybody know who this guy was?
The back of a German bunker at the entrance to one of draws at Easy Red
The front of the same bunker. It was knocked out by a direct hit through the gun port by a shell from a destroyer.
The rest of these are all from Dog Green sector in front of the Vierville draw. The first 10 minutes of
"Saving Private Ryan" are pretty closely based on what happened here. It's also wherethe Bedford Boys landed.
Easy Red from the Cemetery
Does anybody know who this guy was?
The back of a German bunker at the entrance to one of draws at Easy Red
The front of the same bunker. It was knocked out by a direct hit through the gun port by a shell from a destroyer.
The rest of these are all from Dog Green sector in front of the Vierville draw. The first 10 minutes of
"Saving Private Ryan" are pretty closely based on what happened here. It's also wherethe Bedford Boys landed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Severloh
<div id="isChromeWebToolbarDiv" style="display:none"></div><div>Heinrich Severloh was nicknamed "The Beast of Omaha Beach", because he claims to have killed 1000-2000 men (though the real count is probably much lower). He started firing 5AM against the Americans, and after 12,000 rounds was one of the last Germans to retreat after the Americans gained a foothold. The next day, he was captured and refused to tell the Americans what he was doing on D-day: Don't blame him, the Americans would've shot him because they were pissed off.</div><div>
</div><div>In the 1960's, he met Henry Silva, a man he shot in the chest. Silva became a priest, and Severloh came to him and Silva forgave him. The two became good friends, and Silva has visited Severloh's grave several times since his death in 2006.</div>
<div id="isChromeWebToolbarDiv" style="display:none"></div><div>Heinrich Severloh was nicknamed "The Beast of Omaha Beach", because he claims to have killed 1000-2000 men (though the real count is probably much lower). He started firing 5AM against the Americans, and after 12,000 rounds was one of the last Germans to retreat after the Americans gained a foothold. The next day, he was captured and refused to tell the Americans what he was doing on D-day: Don't blame him, the Americans would've shot him because they were pissed off.</div><div>
</div><div>In the 1960's, he met Henry Silva, a man he shot in the chest. Silva became a priest, and Severloh came to him and Silva forgave him. The two became good friends, and Silva has visited Severloh's grave several times since his death in 2006.</div>
..clearly the best depiction ever of D-Day.
Hanks' character rides in on that boat, door opens, bullets fly in, and almost instantly most folks on that boat are dead. It was like "welcome to hell, and fat chance", a 3 second introduction that gave full indication of how tough that invasion was going to be.
Hanks' character rides in on that boat, door opens, bullets fly in, and almost instantly most folks on that boat are dead. It was like "welcome to hell, and fat chance", a 3 second introduction that gave full indication of how tough that invasion was going to be.
I had the opportunity to visit the National Cemetary at Omaha Beach in 1998. The day we visited was overcast and misty. As we were passing through the entrance, a lone trumpet began playing Taps. It was a surreal experience and one I'll never forget.
To see the geography that those troops had to overcome makes their accomplishemnt nothing short of miraculous.
If you ever have the chance to tour Normandy and visit Omaha Beach, do it. You won't regret it.
To see the geography that those troops had to overcome makes their accomplishemnt nothing short of miraculous.
If you ever have the chance to tour Normandy and visit Omaha Beach, do it. You won't regret it.
Not very often that I get choked up, but seeing these pictures reminds me of the incredible (and sometimes ultimate) sacrifices made by my grandfather's generation. I've been to Normandy, and it's amazing. You cannot describe the emotion to anyone who hasn't been there. I encourage everyone to go. Next time you're in that part of the world, I suggest checking out the American cemetery in Cambridgeshire, UK. It's pretty awesome too. Once again, thanks for the pics.
Standing on the top of the cliffs it was exactly as portrayed in "Saving Private Ryan." You are looking down at the beach with a perfect field of fire. How did we do it back then? We put more men on the beach faster than the Germans could kill them. I had to walk away from my wife to be alone with my thoughts.
from the American areas of Normandy. I'll post them if anyone wants to see them. It wasa truely moving day we spent there. It was on the 4th of July. I can't think of a 4th I've enjoyed more. We were on a cruise that docked at Le Havre. None of the ship's tours went to Utah or the arirborne areas so we hired a private guide. The guide was fantastic. I can give you his name and website if anyone is interested. We didn't have much time at any one spot but we got to see a LOT.
a new monumrnt was unveiled in Normandy today.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57448042/d-day-statue-of-band-of-brothers-hero-richard-winters-unveiled/</p>
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57448042/d-day-statue-of-band-of-brothers-hero-richard-winters-unveiled/</p>
I spent a few days there several years ago when I was in grad school at USM-- part of their summer British Studies program.
What others have said about Omaha Beach and the cliffs are all true. The American cemetery was amazing as was the German cemetery we went to as well... Caen, St. Mere Eglise... The beaches... Amazing.
If you do go to Normandy, one thing you should see which isn't related to World War II is the Bayeux Tapestry.
What others have said about Omaha Beach and the cliffs are all true. The American cemetery was amazing as was the German cemetery we went to as well... Caen, St. Mere Eglise... The beaches... Amazing.
If you do go to Normandy, one thing you should see which isn't related to World War II is the Bayeux Tapestry.
Born January 10, 1915 in Water Valley, MS. Father was Clifton Clary Duke, born in Yalobusha County in 1893. Mother was Myrtle Mary Henson, born in MS. Clifton and Myrtle Mary married in Lafayette County, MS in 1914. Howard M. was the oldest of three children: Howard M., Victor Edward., born 1916 and Hazel L., born 1917.<div>
</div><div>In 1930, mother had remarried to William Herbert after death of Clifton Clary Duke in 1927 and all three children were living with mother and stepfather in Joachim, Jefferson County, MO. Hazel married an O'Donnell and died in CA in 1989. Didn't find Victor Edward during a cursory search.</div><div>
</div><div>Howard M. Duke married Maisie Faydale Gates in 1937 in Arkansas. She remarried after his death and died in 1988 in East St. Louis.
<div>
</div><div>
</div></div>
</div><div>In 1930, mother had remarried to William Herbert after death of Clifton Clary Duke in 1927 and all three children were living with mother and stepfather in Joachim, Jefferson County, MO. Hazel married an O'Donnell and died in CA in 1989. Didn't find Victor Edward during a cursory search.</div><div>
</div><div>Howard M. Duke married Maisie Faydale Gates in 1937 in Arkansas. She remarried after his death and died in 1988 in East St. Louis.
<div>
</div><div>
</div></div>
near Water Valley. I'm not sure if they were related or not.
Here's are two links to familysearch.org. These havethe date of death as June 16, 1944 ... but, sometimes, on the genealogical sites, the data is not entered properly.
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/IGI/individual_record.asp?recid=100398702927&lds=1®ion=5®ionfriendly=Continental+Europe&frompage=99
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/IGI/individual_record.asp?recid=100443386106&lds=1®ion=5®ionfriendly=Continental+Europe&frompage=99
ETA: Sorry, SixtonPackerish. I posted before I saw your post.
Here's are two links to familysearch.org. These havethe date of death as June 16, 1944 ... but, sometimes, on the genealogical sites, the data is not entered properly.
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/IGI/individual_record.asp?recid=100398702927&lds=1®ion=5®ionfriendly=Continental+Europe&frompage=99
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/IGI/individual_record.asp?recid=100443386106&lds=1®ion=5®ionfriendly=Continental+Europe&frompage=99
ETA: Sorry, SixtonPackerish. I posted before I saw your post.
German Military Cemetary. This one was mixed emotions for sure. It's a beautiful place and beautifully done.
There are a lot of ordinary Landser there. There are also SS.
This is the bridge over the Mererdet River at La Fiere. At the time all the land around the road had been flooded by the Germans.
The causeway was about a mile long I believe. American airborne held the side I was on, the Germans held the far side.
Both sides wanted the bridge and causeway. There was terrible fighting here in the days after DDay.
The famous church at Santie mere Eglise
Bullet holes in a building across from the church
You don't see many of these in the invasion area now: a lane between two hedgerows. The field behind
the one on the left is where Lt. Mehan's (Co E. 506th PIR) plane crashed.
Utah Beach
Easy Company Memorial (Band of Brothers) near Brecourt Manor. The tree line in the background
is where the German guns were. THE field is behind the trees. Brecourt is private property and at the
time we were there only one guide had access. He was booked up unfortunatly.
Carentan
Ponte du Hoc
This is where the Rangers actually climbed the cliff.
There are a lot of ordinary Landser there. There are also SS.
This is the bridge over the Mererdet River at La Fiere. At the time all the land around the road had been flooded by the Germans.
The causeway was about a mile long I believe. American airborne held the side I was on, the Germans held the far side.
Both sides wanted the bridge and causeway. There was terrible fighting here in the days after DDay.
The famous church at Santie mere Eglise
Bullet holes in a building across from the church
You don't see many of these in the invasion area now: a lane between two hedgerows. The field behind
the one on the left is where Lt. Mehan's (Co E. 506th PIR) plane crashed.
Utah Beach
Easy Company Memorial (Band of Brothers) near Brecourt Manor. The tree line in the background
is where the German guns were. THE field is behind the trees. Brecourt is private property and at the
time we were there only one guide had access. He was booked up unfortunatly.
Carentan
Ponte du Hoc
This is where the Rangers actually climbed the cliff.
Who's with me?<div>
</div><div>I've set it as a goal in 33 years to be at whatever ceremonies they hold in Normandy for the 100th anniversary. I'll be an old dude by then, but with kids it'll probably take me that long to save for the trip.</div>
</div><div>I've set it as a goal in 33 years to be at whatever ceremonies they hold in Normandy for the 100th anniversary. I'll be an old dude by then, but with kids it'll probably take me that long to save for the trip.</div>
They married June 30, 1928 in Jefferson County, MO. Don't know if she moved the family to Missouri and then married or vice versa. So, he would have been 12 or 13 when she remarried.
a cruise with my wife's family. We had a stop in Le Havre. We hired a guide that does military tours for the day. It wasn't nearly long enough but it was what we had. To do it right you would need 2-3 guided days minium. I could see myself spending a week there for sure. My experience with battlefields was with the Civil War stuff in the US. Even the biggest of those are pretty compact. The invasion areas (including the Brit and Canadian areas)themselves are way to big to see in one day. I doubt you could do it even if you never left your car. We only saw the American areas I posted. There a lot of other American sites we didn't see. We didn't see any Brit or Canadian areas. It was an hourand a half drive from our port to Utah, about an hour back from Omaha,so that cut into our time. That being said, if you only have a day, hire a good guide and go. It was well worth it. A lot of people do day tours from Paris. Some run from Paris itself, others will pick you up at a local train station. A private tour like we had enables you to customize where you go. Nothing canned did exactly what we wanted.