General Chat

Dear All

Hello


On this day, thousands of Allied troops began to land on the beaches of Normandy in northern France at the start of a major offensive against the Germans.


King George VI broadcast a message, warning of the "supreme test"
the Allies faced and he called on the nation to pray for the liberation of Europe.

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The Normandy landings were the beginning of Operation Overlord.


Originally planned to take place on 1 May 1944, the operation was postponed a month to allow time to gather more troops and equipment.


The timing was important to allow for the right weather, a full moon
and tidal conditions.

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The invasion of Normandy was the largest amphibious assault ever launched and it involved five army divisions in the initial assault and over 7,000 ships.


In total, 75,215 British and Canadian troops and 57,500 US troops were landed
by sea on D-Day. Another 23,400 were landed by air.


By 11 June 1944, the Allies had secured the Cotentin Peninsula beyond Cherbourg
but progress continued slowly as the Germans put up fierce resistance.

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The end of the Normandy campaign came with the destruction of
the German 7th Army in the Falaise pocket in August.

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Although the Allies had reached the German frontier by September 1944,
they decided to re-group during the winter, because of the
failure of Market-Garden and the setback in the battle of the Bulge.

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The invasion of Germany only began in January 1945.


To always remember those who gave their lives for our freedom today and also to remember those injuried in mind, body and spirit as a result of the war.

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Sincere wishes
Elizabeth, EOS
xx

I regularly visit Lepe beach, which still has evidence of the D-Day launching.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. <3

Thank you Elizabeth <3

Thanks for the reminder Elizabeth. D-Day is such an important date in history.

Yes Pat I agree with you that "We will remember them"

We will remember them.

In Portsmouth there is a museum, where a tapestry depicts the events of Operation Overlord. Well worth a visit.

Thank you, Elizabeth.

Yes. we will remember them. All of them heroes, whether they made the ultimate sacrifice or returned home to their loved ones. We have so much to thank them for <3

Dear Maggie, Pat, Kandji, Patrick, Sue and YG

Hello

Thank you all very much for your replies and your interest.

Very much appreciated.


Take gentle care all
Lots of good wishes
Love from Elizabeth, EOS
xx

I've been away for the weekend, but could not let this posting pass without adding to it, thank you Elizabeth.


I too have been to some of those beaches in France, and visited the cemeteries where I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of men lost in those first few days of the landings.
My mother's cousin lost his life just one month before the end of the war. As his Unit entered Germany in early April 45, he was shot and killed by a sniper. He was just 27 years old.

We will remember them.

Dear Karen

Hello

Thank you for posting.

Always very pleased to hear from you.

When there has been commeration services shown on television, it is so humbling to see the cemetaries and then you realise the sheer numbers of casualties.

May your Mothers cousin rest in peace. We owe him our freedom and our lives.


Take gentle care
Sincere wishes to you, Karen
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx