D-Day 6th June 1944

After knocking out 3 photo albums (Provence, Paris, UK & Brunei - viewable on my Travel blog), it occurred to me this morning that it is way past time for a Blog post!  I have been neglectful but then, nothing has inspired me.  Not a lot of worth in pondering, deliberating, chewing over and thinking about nothing, although plenty do!

I wasn't inspired, until today that is!  On the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the focus of the world is on the beaches of Normandy.  As I browsed the news, I surprised even myself, I cried.  I cried for D-Day, I cried for the many who lost their lives, I cried for those who lost their mobility and I cried for those who lost family, mates and neighbours.   I cried for those who lost their faith in mankind because it is their very act which reminds us we must never lose our faith in mankind.  I cried because I felt humbled that so many risked their lives for liberty on that day, 70 years ago.

I wonder if they would think it worth it today?  I hope so.

Veterans, re-enactments, world leaders speeches, fireworks, ceremony and many tears, all marking the 70th anniversary of a pivotal mission, the beginning of the end of 6 years of wretchedness in Europe, and an event that was, in the words of Winston Churchill - "undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult that has ever taken place", a mission involving 3 million troops and costing 250,000 lives.  Many nations coming together with a common goal, we could learn from them today.

Most people of my generation cannot begin to imagine the horror and fear that comes with such a war.  Yes, today, we hear talk of terrorists, likely exaggerated and of course there is the occasional bomb blast and events in the Middle East, none of which is pleasant but imagine, walking out of your front door every day and not knowing if you will return.  For 6 long year's, not knowing if your house will even be there when you return.   Hell!!!  What about going to bed at night not knowing if you or yours will waken and survive tomorrow and if you do, what nightmare will it bring?  The smell of fire, the noise of the air-raid warnings, the bombs, the destruction and the stench of death.  Then the elation of victory, followed by the horror and the discovery of the death camps.  The recovery and rebuilding, reconciliation and forgiveness.

As France played host, I dried my tears and smiled at pictures of lunch and "The Top Table"!  Centre stage Francois Hollande, France's President, surrounded by Queen Elizabeth and Presidents Obama and Putin!  Who'd want to work out that seating plan!  Fortunately Queen Margrethe of Denmark, a very gracious and elegant lady helped even up the numbers and made boy-girl-boy-girl-boy look like the plan all along!

Pictures in the Huffington Post were haunting, images from today overlaying those of yesterday!
 
The stories from the veterans, especially those who took the opportunity to sneak out of their care homes to attend makes for another tear followed by a smile ...

Inspirational!

Eversley Street, Liverpool - my Mum is in the midst of the crowd here somewhere!  Just 2 years old.

Note: I hope the creator of the D-Day image doesn't mind my borrowing it, I could find no accreditation.

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An awe inspiring WWII story

So many WWII stories are sad, shocking and appalling beyond words, but alongside the tragedy there are many tales of bravery, heroics and heart warming reports.  Rarely are these stories of "good Germans" perhaps with the exception of one of the most famous Oskar Schindler......

Every now and again however, a tale comes to light that is inspirational.... I recently came across one such tale and hope you are as moved by this story as I was.....

Wartime chivalry

or maybe this version ....

photo credit: Armchair Aviator cc

This is the story of an allied aircraft beaten so badly in an air fight, the crew so devastated by injury or death, that they were unlikely to make it home, the 21 year old American pilot, Lt Charlie Brown, on his first combat mission, alone over Germany in 1943 when a German Messerschmitt fighter plane, piloted by Luftwaffe veteran Franz Stigler, flew alongside them.... at a time when they thought they were sitting ducks, they witnessed an incredible act of chivalry....

photo credit: Jerry Gunner cc

A German fighter pilot, one strike away from winning Germany's highest honour for valour "The Knights Cross" had the allied aircraft in his sights.  A man who risked death for dishonour if the Nazi SS discovered his deed, flew alongside the ailing aircraft and honoured his humanity instead.  His respect for the code of honour and integrity of soldiers and fighting men through the ages... Not only did he not fire on them, he helped them avoid anti aircraft batteries lining the coast as he directed them towards neutral Sweden......

The bond between soldiers, even on opposing sides is a special one, [fortunately] not experienced by many of us.....

So wonderful that these two pilots of WWII were reunited post war in 1989 and went on to travel together, taking their story to others... dying only 8 months apart in 2008, may they rest in peace and may Hollywood make a movie that respects the sentiment, the integrity and the honour!

Protests in Trafalgar Square

Thatcher's Death "Party" In London Draws Hundreds

This event made the TV news in Australia and firstly, I felt a sense of shame and disgust on behalf of the British public, mainly because of the lack of respect towards a dead woman but confusion reigned when a man was interviewed to explain his rationale.  His father "went on strike and stayed on strike for a year".  He recalled being hungry and begging for money, there was no mention of Arthur Scargill, only that a choice made by his father was somebody else's fault....I guess this man needs somebody to blame for an unhappy time in his life, if he didn't blame Maggie, he might have to direct the blame at the person who made the choice - his father!

The Thatcher Government never brought in legislation forcing his Dad to go on strike. His Dad could have chosen to go back to work, although in fairness, he would have risked his life in doing so - not from Maggie but from the violence perpetrated by his so called brothers.  Maggie's crime was to stand up to bullies and not give in to blackmail.  Presumably, the interviewee felt that it was perfectly acceptable for his Dad and his comrades to repeat the events of the 70's where they brought the country to its knees.  It had to stop, the power of the union bosses was out of control and destined to take Britain into the third world. 

The miners are proud of the fact that they went on strike during WWII, they didn't deserve public sympathy.

As to the rest of the party animals, what do they hope to achieve?  Margaret Thatcher is dead, she never gave in to them in life, I can't imagine she will smile down on them in death.

Scary UKIP gaining momentum....

I am speechless at the apparent response to a Daily Mail article... UKIP are b********, Maggie was good looking and Ed Miliband lacks his brother's charm: Denis Healey is still outspoken at 95

To which I replied:

He is quite right, the UKIP party is dangerous - if you are thinking of voting for them, PLEASE read their manifesto. Think Germany 1932 - their goal is to increase the military for no obvious reason, absolve themselves of responsibility by way of devolution of power and ultimately leave the country flat broke!

To which I received (at time of writing) 60 red arrows! and a small handful of responses...

He is quite right, the UKIP party is dangerous - if you are thinking of voting for them, PLEASE read their manifesto. Think Germany 1932 - their goal is to increase the military for no obvious reason, absolve themselves of responsibility by way of devolution of power and ultimately leave the country flat broke! - Jay >>>>>>>>>>>    Apart from decreasing our military....is this not exactly what is happening now, do you seriously think we will not be ruled by Brussels in 2 years time and our Parliament disbanded, once the Lisbon Treaty comes into full force....I do not think it is UKIP repeating 1932!!!!! Weapons are not needed anymore it is destruction by other means!

S of Dorchester only received 17 arrows for that response... but they were all green!  So many confused people but thank you for restating my point! ermmm... and I said "increasing the military" not decreasing!!!!!!  .....

...... and from another who only call themselves "UK Rising".... who, incidentally, has 41 green arrows....

. . .'He is quite right, the UKIP party is dangerous . . . and ultimately leave the country flat broke! - Jay  >>>>>>>>>>>  Gosh, tell us about your brilliant Labour Party, and how their ideology prevents them from ever making this country an economic success . . ! You think communists do any good for the working people, or something ? GBrown's political hero was a dyed-in-the wool commie - and look what Brown did to this country. . . !

..... It is one hell of a leap to assume that because I fear the UKIP fascist doctrine that I vote Labour or am a Communist!  When did Britain become "two party UKIP or Communist Labour"?.... I have never leaned to the Left in my life!  Occasionally staggered in that direction perhaps but only due to one too many wines!

and so I posted a further comment:

It is very simple - if you want to know the truth about the UKIP, read their manifesto! It speaks for itself

I am proud to say, I am doing a little better with this one rating 21 green arrows!  Sadly though, I fear my point has been missed... as I read the response from somebody who calls themselves a UKIP Voter and has gained themselves a mere 9 green arrows!

It is very simple - if you want to know the truth about the UKIP, read their manifesto! It speaks for itself- Jay >>>>>>> And for us, the long suffering taxpayer.

I am surprised to have provoked any retaliatory comments at all but what these and many of the other responses demonstrate is the ignorance of the voting public and how an extremist party, reminiscent of Hitler's 1932 Government can come to power.  Too many voters are stuck on a single theme "get out of the EU" and blind to the fact that the UKIP plan to create a highly militarised regime, flat broke, racist and devolved.

.... I AGREE with the sentiment to leave the EU, but Britain must first renegotiate terms for trade... and for the record, I am certainly no fan of Denis Healey but his politics seem relatively mild when compared to many politicians today.

OH and BTW.... It will be interesting to see all of those Brits who have taken for granted their right to travel and live freely around Europe suddenly being booted out.

WWII - The contemptible SS

Apparently with the intent of "showing the lives of SS men objectively" Mr Stekiewicz has re-emphasised just what a despicable race the German SS were leading up to and during WWII.

The 'kindly' Auschwitz commander who sent youngsters to gas chambers then went home to play hide and seek with his children

No matter how much I learn about this period in history it continually surprises, sickens and horrifies. But not so for some it seems and one of the comments on this story made my blood boil:

"Whats the difference between the genocide committed in world war 2 by the Germans and by the British in New Zealand , Australia and also the colonies in the New World to the Irish? None !!!!! start printing some of the atrocaties the British have committed its ever so boring hearing about the Germans in world war 2...."

Honestly?

Does this person know nothing at all about WWII? Instead of being bored by it, perhaps he/she should read the facts.  Over 60 million people died in the conflict (2.5% of the population of the planet).  Around 70% of an entire ethnic group was brutally and clinically murdered.  As to this book, these contemptible murderers do not deserve to be viewed objectively.  In fact, this contrast with their work life only emphasises their lack of humanity - "Just another day at the office".