Anniversary Of Operation Overlord

[Born Hunter 17,955]

It's just come to my attention that today is the anniversary of the D-day landings in occupied Europe.

 

Just a reminder of history, no need for anything political.

 

 

[Nik_B 3,791]

[Nik_B 3,791]

Sorry had to do that

 

Those young lads had balls of steel running off those landing craft, it must have been absolutely terrifying.

 

The US rangers climbed the cliffs at Pont Du Hoc using ropes and ladders while the Germans fired on them and threw grenades down from the cliffs.

 

An unbelievable feat

[Accip74 7,112]

Stunning pictorial record

 

Give it a rest Nic! Ffs

[The one 8,589]

Been pishing rain here all day so i watched the Longest day a lot of young men never even made it off the beaches

[Jonjon79 13,358]

It's just come to my attention that today is the anniversary of the D-day landings in occupied Europe.

 

Just a reminder of history, no need for anything political.

 

 

That's some amazing pictures.

 

I can't even begin to imagine what was going through those lads heads as they disembarked

 

........ What can you say? Apart from a huge thanks that I'm not speaking German today

[Nik_B 3,791]

 

 

[mackem 29,776]

The ultimate sacrifice,a sombre thought.We owe them respect.

[Born Hunter 17,955]

 

The US rangers climbed the cliffs at Pont Du Hoc using ropes and ladders while the Germans fired on them and threw grenades down from the cliffs.

 

An unbelievable feat

 

...during the assault landing on Dog White sector of Omaha Beach as part of the invasion of Normandy, then-Brigadier General Norman Cota (assistant CO of the 29th ID) approached Major Max Schneider, CO of the 5th Ranger Battalion and asked "What outfit is this?", Schneider answered "5th Rangers, Sir!" To this, Cota replied "Well, goddamnit, if you're Rangers, lead the way!"

[Nik_B 3,791]

Operation Epsom was the start of the British push on Caen that happened a few weeks later. The fighting around that part of Normandy was ferocious and interesting to read about since all we ever hear about are the Americans on Utah especially in films.

 

The American Generals slagged off Monty for not being fast enough but the British army were fighting against highly experienced SS troops and tank crews some of which were equipped with Tiger tanks plus the 88mm AA guns which were so effective.

 

There were three operations Epsom, Charnwood and Jupiter I think, and they paved the way for the encirclement of the German Army at Falaise which led to the routing of the Germans from France.

 

By the way, this is something not many people know, the Germans actually lost barely a handful of tanks to airpower and the Typhoons and P47s etc were ineffective. The few that were lost to airpower were turned upside down by the shockwaves from heavy bombers, but the history channel keeps talking rubbish about the effects of fighter bombers, it was the Army and tank crews that were most effective and air power did do a lot of damage to the German logistics.

[dazbrowne 13 372]

My grandad was on those beaches. when I was a kid I asked him what part of the army he was in he said I was on the boat lad I thought cool he was in the navy wasn't until I watched stuff about war years later that he meant a u boat.to me he will always be a legend thank you grandad rip big man

[scothunter 12,609]

Operation Epsom was the start of the British push on Caen that happened a few weeks later. The fighting around that part of Normandy was ferocious and interesting to read about since all we ever hear about are the Americans on Utah especially in films.

 

The American Generals slagged off Monty for not being fast enough but the British army were fighting against highly experienced SS troops and tank crews some of which were equipped with Tiger tanks plus the 88mm AA guns which were so effective.

 

There were three operations Epsom, Charnwood and Jupiter I think, and they paved the way for the encirclement of the German Army at Falaise which led to the routing of the Germans from France.

 

By the way, this is something not many people know, the Germans actually lost barely a handful of tanks to airpower and the Typhoons and P47s etc were ineffective. The few that were lost to airpower were turned upside down by the shockwaves from heavy bombers, but the history channel keeps talking rubbish about the effects of fighter bombers, it was the Army and tank crews that were most effective and air power did do a lot of damage to the German logistics.

 

michael wittmann was a thorn in there side at caen.He rolled down the main street and took out 7 or 8 tanks single handed. He was an exceptional tank commander.

 

but a brave brit hit him broadside from a side street. He got out and was killed in the eastern front in the latter end of the war.

 

yea we fought hard and prevailed.

[Nik_B 3,791]

 

Operation Epsom was the start of the British push on Caen that happened a few weeks later. The fighting around that part of Normandy was ferocious and interesting to read about since all we ever hear about are the Americans on Utah especially in films.

 

The American Generals slagged off Monty for not being fast enough but the British army were fighting against highly experienced SS troops and tank crews some of which were equipped with Tiger tanks plus the 88mm AA guns which were so effective.

 

There were three operations Epsom, Charnwood and Jupiter I think, and they paved the way for the encirclement of the German Army at Falaise which led to the routing of the Germans from France.

 

By the way, this is something not many people know, the Germans actually lost barely a handful of tanks to airpower and the Typhoons and P47s etc were ineffective. The few that were lost to airpower were turned upside down by the shockwaves from heavy bombers, but the history channel keeps talking rubbish about the effects of fighter bombers, it was the Army and tank crews that were most effective and air power did do a lot of damage to the German logistics.

michael wittmann was a thorn in there side at caen.He rolled down the main street and took out 7 or 8 tanks single handed. He was an exceptional tank commander.

 

but a brave brit hit him broadside from a side street. He got out and was killed in the eastern front in the latter end of the war.

 

yea we fought hard and prevailed.

 

 

There weren't many guns capable of taking on the Tiger but the 57mm (6 pounder) which was mounted on the Churchill Tank using Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot or Armour-Piercing, Composite Rigid rounds could penetrate the armour. Also the Sherman Firefly with the 76.2mm (17 pounder) and there weren't that many of either guns available.

 

A small correction, he was actually killed in Normandy probably at the hands of a Firefly, the Canadians have claimed they killed him with a Firefly other historians give the honour to Joe Ekins 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry.

 

I wish we could make quality movies because our contribution to the Normandy campaign deserves it we were fighting frontal battles with some of their best available forces who had far more combat experience and better equipment even if they were understrength and poorly supplied.

 

Edit your version is also correct in that he lost a tank in the town and survived though

[scothunter 12,609]

Yea i read a fair bit about wittmann he was only a young lad.

This thread got me in the mood. Just put A bridge to far on lol

[Nik_B 3,791]

Yea i read a fair bit about wittmann he was only a young lad.

This thread got me in the mood. Just put A bridge to far on lol

 

Cracking film! Longest Day is another brilliant movie.

 

To be honest I really dislike Band of Brothers, the beginning is good but it gets a bit stupid.