tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post6932197494393159963..comments2024-03-29T05:28:17.263-07:00Comments on Chant du Départ: The 4th of June, 1944OldAFSargehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-41696231558392134942020-06-04T23:28:27.903-07:002020-06-04T23:28:27.903-07:00Sarge, I probably already asked, but did you ever ...Sarge, I probably already asked, but did you ever see 1917? It's probably available on demand. The famous photo you used reminded me of the USMC Commandants recent guidance. It says that pictures like the one you used will likely never be taken again. Opposed landings aren't operational feasible anymore. However, the WWII Pacific Campaign island hopping is a new focus.Tunahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930237104692982421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-33302133722638067812020-06-04T22:49:00.560-07:002020-06-04T22:49:00.560-07:00Beans, yes you want to see it! If you need to sne...Beans, yes you want to see it! If you need to sneak it past She Who Rules, so be it. It's damned well worth the price of admission even at a theater, plus every thing else!Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13296988746956477216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-62164956579357258572020-06-04T22:46:32.450-07:002020-06-04T22:46:32.450-07:00I've thought much the same when my wife & ...I've thought much the same when my wife & I bought <i>Fiddler on the Roof</i> several years ago. The music is (mostly) great, but considering the death rate among those who stayed after WII began, it's pretty sobering to think of Tevya's relatives who 'sheltered in place' over the next 3 or 3.5 decades.Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13296988746956477216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-74347819215690748722020-06-04T19:37:35.847-07:002020-06-04T19:37:35.847-07:00Beans, I totally agree with John B's assessmen...Beans, I totally agree with John B's assessment of TSNGO - especially the movie after the movie on how they made it... anyone who would hire forensic lip readers to get the correct dialog from silent movies is OK in my book! And I like 4 Rivers BBQ on SW 35th a bit better than Sonny's. :-). But let us know if there is a better local spot!Tom in NChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03576958446243001152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-14916215892585197982020-06-04T16:36:54.225-07:002020-06-04T16:36:54.225-07:00We Scots are a canny lot, make no mistake. We'...We Scots are a canny lot, make no mistake. We're not cheap, we're what you call "frugal."OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-31539196636841018322020-06-04T16:27:58.719-07:002020-06-04T16:27:58.719-07:00(Don McCollor)...In WW1, there was a section of tr...(Don McCollor)...In WW1, there was a section of trench aptly named "Coffin Corner" being taken over by a Scottish unit. The canny Scots were placing bets with the unsuspecting Brits that they would come out alive. The Brits did not think through the implications. If a Scot came out alive, they had to pay him. If he didn't and they won the bet, they weren't going to get paid. Don McCollorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18028324869570493102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-1944376856875480612020-06-04T13:34:26.129-07:002020-06-04T13:34:26.129-07:00Amen.Amen.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-54515948130848400532020-06-04T13:31:53.820-07:002020-06-04T13:31:53.820-07:00Heard a second hand account of a guy who was an ar...Heard a second hand account of a guy who was an army NCO hitting the beach on D day. While they were waiting on the ships, one of he troops was really down, so he stopped to chat with him. Seems the lad was convinced that his number was up and he would not survive landing. The Sarge told him it probably wouldn't be that bad, and that afterwards they would be in France, where the young ladies really liked sharp looking young guys. He convinced the young lad what he needed was a fresh haircut, and personally gave him one. Sometime later the Sarge remarked, "It seemed to cheer him up. At least I hope it did. He was one of the first ones killed going down the ramp".<br /><br />Live every day. Tomorrow is promised to no one, even though it has been paid for by those who went before. RHT447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-49501534751630630322020-06-04T11:40:43.297-07:002020-06-04T11:40:43.297-07:00It truly is worth watching. It's also availabl...It truly is worth watching. It's also available on HBO.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-46460508529844046882020-06-04T11:20:09.190-07:002020-06-04T11:20:09.190-07:00Beans- You MUST go. It is not some sort of pro-...Beans- You MUST go. It is not some sort of pro-war propaganda, or blood and guts marathon. It is a thoughtful and comprehensive look at the WW1 period and what happened, especially the human side. Good, and bad. The narration is almost entirely provided by actual veterans of the war. As with real war, combat is but a small part of a soldier's experience.<br /><br />While the movie is indeed powerful, you absolutely MUST stick to the very end and see how they made the movie, from taking the jerky silent films to near modern film standards. The colorization is superb. (The producer is a serious WW1 collector and they drew on his vast collection to get details right!) For narration not provided by vets, they went to the trouble of finding people from the right locales to have the local dialect. <br /><br />I was hesitant to go, but finally did, along with my wife and a husband and wife collector couple. We all enjoyed it (for the insights and educational value, not as light entertainment).<br /><br />Then, got get some Sonny's BBQ afterwards. Great stuff I grew addicted to from my days in Gatorville, probably before you were born..<br />John BlackshoeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-33528965905552202832020-06-04T10:53:34.454-07:002020-06-04T10:53:34.454-07:00That was an excellent film.That was an excellent film.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-30608554344785816712020-06-04T10:22:37.898-07:002020-06-04T10:22:37.898-07:00Reading this reminds of Das Boot. I finally saw i...Reading this reminds of Das Boot. I finally saw it last year. Powerful movie.Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-14399704731878652122020-06-04T09:54:21.451-07:002020-06-04T09:54:21.451-07:00Yes, too bad Roosevelt decided letting the Commies...Yes, too bad Roosevelt decided letting the Commies into the West was a "good" idea.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-38780868486532596882020-06-04T09:49:45.111-07:002020-06-04T09:49:45.111-07:00We shall see!We shall see!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-26199474642262506712020-06-04T09:49:00.550-07:002020-06-04T09:49:00.550-07:00War is never fun.War is never fun.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-37098734123644438592020-06-04T09:44:23.442-07:002020-06-04T09:44:23.442-07:00That hedge cutter saved Europe. If we had been st...That hedge cutter saved Europe. If we had been stalled like the Germans planned, until late fall or even early winter, the whole western front could have lasted much longer. <br /><br />So, in a way, by freeing our troops to rush east, it actually saved half of Germany from the Soviets' wrath. US getting to the dividing line and stopping and setting up field fortifications must have been quite a shock to Ivan, who expected to continue West at a frightening pace.Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-73117281974088388512020-06-04T09:41:08.807-07:002020-06-04T09:41:08.807-07:00The Japanese pillboxes and bunkers I got to look a...The Japanese pillboxes and bunkers I got to look at on Roi-Namur (Operation Flintlock - Seizure of the and Marshalls - seizure of surrounding islands Jan 31, 1944, actual assault on Roi-Namur Feb 1, 1944) paid attention to detail very well and were equipped with splinter shields and bullet catchers, to stop penetrating rounds from bouncing in. That and a large brow ridge covering the top of the gun openings to limit downward fire. Amazing buildings, still in very good shape in 1972. Including one large headquarters building that was just turned into an inferno with flamethrowers. Inside, not so good. Structurally, building held up.<br /><br />Of course, after Tarawa, the rule was Naval Gunfire Close. So that pesky cannon? Use a 14" AP round to stun them. It worked, surprisingly well.<br /><br />And, well, sucking chest and belly wounds are a rather nasty way to die. Bleh. Hope Jan and Horst make it to be able to surrender, though that's your call.Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-31008655474776596182020-06-04T09:36:44.183-07:002020-06-04T09:36:44.183-07:00That hedge cutter got us out of the bocage.That hedge cutter got us out of the bocage.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-84594606242692905192020-06-04T09:32:02.519-07:002020-06-04T09:32:02.519-07:00Haven't seen "They Shall Not Grow Old&quo...Haven't seen "They Shall Not Grow Old" yet. I don't know if I want to, and definitely can't watch it while Mrs. Andrew is in the room as she is sensitive about things like that. Which, of course, is one of the many reasons I love her.<br /><br />Though, well, with my vivid mind, well, I fill in the gaps between photos way too easily. I grossed out and almost got kicked out of a classroom for too vividly explaining what the real 'Spandau Ballet' was. <br /><br />WWI. The American Civil War fought with modern weapons. Or the Crimean campaign fought with modern weapons. All the countries involved had experienced Trench Warfare at it's worst in the late Black Powder days, including accurate long-range rifles, 'automatic' weapons, mortars (albeit more short stubby gun-thingies rather than modern mortars but still) and use of periscopes, telescopes, remote gun systems, mines, explosive torpedoes, even poisonous gas of a sort (burning highly toxic plants and waste so that the wind drifts it over the enemy, sure, not as bad as chlorine gas or mustard gas but sucking the O2 out of the air or sending burning poison ivy/oak/sumac oils downrange for the enemy to breathe...)Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-38126591437441383202020-06-04T09:24:23.497-07:002020-06-04T09:24:23.497-07:00The Invasion losses were, though seemingly heavy t...The Invasion losses were, though seemingly heavy to us, were surprisingly light to the forces. Except at Omaha. Where it resembled Tarawa, Bloody Tarawa far too closely and for the same reasons - inability to get past the first beach obstacles, not able to get the tanks onto the beach, poor close-in naval gunfire support and the enemy having premium troops.<br /><br />Once they got into the Bocage, though, yeah, that was just a nightmare of death every 100 feet. Advance a field, die, take the field, advance another field, die, take another field, repeat repeat repeat. The Cullen hedge-cutter was the saving grace there.Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-3627057468924566192020-06-04T07:03:10.827-07:002020-06-04T07:03:10.827-07:00They Shall Not Grow Old was very powerful. Coloriz...<i>They Shall Not Grow Old</i> was very powerful. Colorizing that old footage made those men more real to me.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-26873164347641288212020-06-04T06:51:18.374-07:002020-06-04T06:51:18.374-07:00In the movie They Shall Not Grow Old, there is a s...In the movie They Shall Not Grow Old, there is a scene showing a bunch of British soldiers in a sunken lane just before they attacked the German positions at the Somme - most were smiling and of good cheer for the camera. At the end of the movie was a section about how the film was made, and Peter Jackson said they searched and found the sunken lane in that scene, which I thought kind of amazing. But what sobered me up right quick was his next comment: "You have to realize that within 20 minutes after these pictures were taken, all those boys were dead." In a similar vein, I was looking at a 14th Armored Division booklet about their training at Camp McCall in Louisiana, and I had a similar thought along the lines of, "I wonder how many of the guys I'm looking at never made it home?" We owe them all so much! Tom in NChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03576958446243001152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-73719366247078352612020-06-04T05:42:37.637-07:002020-06-04T05:42:37.637-07:00Yup, every time I see a picture like that, I wonde...Yup, every time I see a picture like that, I wonder how many actually made it home again. It hurts to think about it.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-74539080044292348942020-06-04T05:36:52.515-07:002020-06-04T05:36:52.515-07:00I look at pictures like the first one, and I wonde...I look at pictures like the first one, and I wonder how many of those guys didn't live out the week. I look at their faces, knowing there were loved ones at home, but they were there to rescue folks they didn't even know. To end the wholesale evil that was going on in Europe... to fight for their buddy next to them. They look like average guys. Man....<br /><br />My buddies dad that was in Patton's army, his name is Marvin, told me that whenever they got the order to move up, the church services were full. Everyone getting right with God. After the move up, when they'd met little to no resistance, the craps games would break out, and guys would find something to drink, and generally go on a tear... He said it was crazy. Happened every time.<br /><br />One of Marvin's buddies was a crap shooter. He showed up one night and said, "Marvin, ask me what time it is!" He had watches on his arm clear up to his elbow.... A few nights later, he asked Marvin, "Hey, what time you got?" Easy come, easy go, I guess.STxARhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04588850178293194825noreply@blogger.com