Calais 67th Anniversary

52nd Airborne · 24-05-2007, 12:21 PM

Yesterday I attended the Green Jacket memorial in Calais for the 67th Anniversary of the Defence of Calais by the Green Jackets (1RB, 2KRRC and 1QVR) in May 1940. Nearly 100 RGJ Association members and guests attended the ceremony including 3 veterans, one of which was a 92 Year old frenchman who fought alongside the Green Jackets.
IMG_0234.JPG IMG_0237.JPG IMG_0242.JPG IMG_0245.JPG

Owen · 24-05-2007, 12:50 PM

The Dams Raid and Calais, you have been busy.
Cheers Lyndon.

CROONAERT · 24-05-2007, 01:17 PM

I'd have thought that they'd have held the ceremony this Saturday (26th) rather than the 23rd as that is the anniversary of the last stand in Calais (with today - the 24th - being the anniversary of the beginning of the 10th Pz.Div.'s assault). Nothing of note really happened on the 23rd apart from reports of German patrols moving up the coast from Wissant (though it was that day when the seriousness of the situation was realised).

A shame that the memorial had to be moved from it's (in my opinion) far more historic spot to it's present location.

Dave.

Gotthard Heinrici · 24-05-2007, 01:47 PM

Well Done on the photos and nice to hear that a French Veteran attended too. Sometimes when places like Calais and Dunkirk are mentioned its sometimes forgotten that French troops fought alongside the British as well.

52nd Airborne · 24-05-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROONAERT

I'd have thought that they'd have held the ceremony this Saturday (26th) rather than the 23rd as that is the anniversary of the last stand in Calais (with today - the 24th - being the anniversary of the beginning of the 10th Pz.Div.'s assault). Nothing of note really happened on the 23rd apart from reports of German patrols moving up the coast from Wissant (though it was that day when the seriousness of the situation was realised).

A shame that the memorial had to be moved from it's (in my opinion) far more historic spot to it's present location.

Dave.

I was surprized by the date myself, I'm sure the organisers/powers that be had their reasons for the date. I'm glad that the ceremony takes place, as it's definitely over shadowed by Dunkirk.

I agree, it is a shame, I think they call it progress! The original memorial was in the vicinity of the triangler building in picture 2.

52nd Airborne · 24-05-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owen D

The Dams Raid and Calais, you have been busy.
Cheers Lyndon.

Not done yet Owen! I'm off the Ypres in 12 days.

marcus69x · 24-05-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 52nd Airborne

Not done yet Owen! I'm off the Ypres in 12 days.

I'm so envious.

Owen · 24-05-2007, 10:14 PM

Could Ceremony have been held early so not to clash with Bank Holiday maybe?

52nd Airborne · 25-05-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owen D

Could Ceremony have been held early so not to clash with Bank Holiday maybe?

I'm not sure Owen, However, I will pose the question when I next see the organizer.

24-05-2007, 12:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
52nd Airborne Very Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Looking for a Landing Zone Posts: 1,265	Calais 67th Anniversary Yesterday I attended the Green Jacket memorial in Calais for the 67th Anniversary of the Defence of Calais by the Green Jackets (1RB, 2KRRC and 1QVR) in May 1940. Nearly 100 RGJ Association members and guests attended the ceremony including 3 veterans, one of which was a 92 Year old frenchman who fought alongside the Green Jackets. IMG_0234.JPG IMG_0237.JPG IMG_0242.JPG IMG_0245.JPG __________________ *52nd Airborne.* Remembering the fallen from the 5th Hampshire Regiment and The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

24-05-2007, 01:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
CROONAERT Vejovis Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 704	I'd have thought that they'd have held the ceremony this Saturday (26th) rather than the 23rd as that is the anniversary of the last stand in Calais (with today - the 24th - being the anniversary of the beginning of the 10th Pz.Div.'s assault). Nothing of note really happened on the 23rd apart from reports of German patrols moving up the coast from Wissant (though it was that day when the seriousness of the situation was realised). A shame that the memorial had to be moved from it's (in my opinion) far more historic spot to it's present location. Dave. __________________ In memory of 1440313 Gnr.Michael O'Mara, 155th Bty, 52nd (East Lancs) L.A.A.Regt (TA) R.A. - severely wounded near Arras in May 1940 and who took nearly 21 years to eventually die of his injuries. website: http://pathsofglory.co.uk

24-05-2007, 01:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gotthard Heinrici Ostfront is where its at! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 3,495	Well Done on the photos and nice to hear that a French Veteran attended too. Sometimes when places like Calais and Dunkirk are mentioned its sometimes forgotten that French troops fought alongside the British as well. __________________ *"The Eastern front is like a house of cards. If the front is broken through at one point all the rest will collapse."* - General Heinz Guderian "With amazement and disappointment, we discovered in late October and early November that the beaten Russians seemed quite unaware that as a military force they had almost ceased to exist." - General Blumentritt "In all my years as a soldier, I have never seen me fight so hard." Lieutenant General Wilhelm Bittrich - Commander of II SS Panzer Korps - (Commenting on the British Paratroopers at Arnhem) - September 1944 "Had Clark given more heed to Juin's views...the savage battles of Cassino would probably never have been fought and the venerable house of St Benedict would have been unscathed" Rudolf Böhmler - 1st Fallschirmjäger Division - 1944 (After the bombing of Monte Cassino)

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24-05-2007, 12:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 8,686	The Dams Raid and Calais, you have been busy. Cheers Lyndon.

24-05-2007, 10:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 8,686	Could Ceremony have been held early so not to clash with Bank Holiday maybe?

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