D-Day Dodgers

[ourbill]

The D-Day Dodgers, that’s the name by which the Allied troops in Italy became known.
Supposedly, the originator was Lady Astor, a member of the British Parliament. The nickname implied that the troops in Italy were avoiding the "real" war in France. Now, naturally, some of the boys in Italy considered the name a bit of a slur, so they put out an extremely clever response. It tells much of the story of what the Canadians and the Allies did in the Sicilian and Italian campaigns.

The D-Day Dodgers Song

We are the D-Day Dodgers, way out in Italy,
Always on the vino, and always on the spree.
Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks,
We live and rove among the Yanks,
We are the D-Day Dodgers, in sunny Italy.

We fought into Agira, a holiday with pay;
Jerry brought his bands out, to cheer us on our way,
Showed us the sights and gave us tea,
We all sang songs, the beer was free,
We are the D-Day Dodgers, in sunny Italy.

The Moro and Ortona were taken in our stride,
We didn’t really fight there, we went there for the ride.
Sleeping till noon and playing games,
We live in Rome with lots of dames.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, in sunny Italy.

On our way to Florence, we had a lovely time,
We drove a bus from Rimini, right through the Gothic Line.
Then to Bologna we did go,
We all went swimming in the Po,
We are the D-Day Dodgers, in sunny Italy.

Look around the mountains in the mud and rain,
See the scattered crosses, there's some that have no name.
Heartbreak and toil, and suffering gone,
The boys beneath and slumber on.
They are the D-Day Dodgers, who stay in Italy.
They are the D-Day Dodgers, who stay in Italy.

Many thanks to: The War Amps: Canada's Military Heritage - Second World War: A War of Their Own
This link is about Canadian actions in Sicily and Italy. The site has WW1 and WW2 items and a lot more about Canada's Military Heritage.

[Gerry Chester]

Thank you Bill for the interesting link. Pity the role of the Seaforth Highlanders and that of the Princess Pats is down-played as it was their efforts that substantially broke the Hitler Line. That we are both wearers of the Maple Leaf awarded to 25th Tank Brigade is due in no small measure to them.

Cordially, Gerry

[Owen]

One of the best books I've ever read was "Once a Patricia".
Once a Patricia: memoirs of a junior infantry officer in World War II, by C. Sydney Frost

I recommend to anyone with an interest in Italy.

[footslogger478]

Browsing through this section again I noticed reference to the Canadians and their contribution to the winning of the Italian campaign.

There are three very good books from the Canadian perspective about the fighting in Italy " And no Birds Sang" by Farlel Mowatt, "The long Road Home" by Fred Cederburg, and "Circles of Hell" by Eric Morris, all well worth reading to any one (as I was) who was there.

[Paul Reed]

Footslogger, which unit did you serve with in Italy?

My dad was there 1944-45.

[spidge]

Originally Posted by ourbill

The D-Day Dodgers, that’s the name by which the Allied troops in Italy became known.
Supposedly, the originator was Lady Astor, a member of the British Parliament. The nickname implied that the troops in Italy were avoiding the "real" war in France.

Was that a "Tongue in Cheek" remark?

(Apologies as I glossed over this last week on another thread)

I lost a bit of my normally cool temperament when an acquaintance of a friend, (nationality unknown) remarked:

"How can Australia claim to be part of the victory if they weren't on a beach on D-Day?"

The remark ruffled my feathers somewhat and raised a bit of tension for the rest of the dinner party.

[von Poop]

Originally Posted by acquaintance

"How can Australia claim to be part of the victory if they weren't on a beach on D-Day?".

Now surely that's fighting talk.

Is this why you were intrigued by Aussie losses on Dday recently Spidge?

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Von Poop

Now surely that's fighting talk.

Is this why you were intrigued by Aussie losses on Dday recently Spidge?

Part of it.

I knew there were a great number of RAN on allied ships because ours were in the Pacific however the RANVR chap was just a coincidence.

I think I said to him something along the lines that "the RAAF were fighting Germans over Europe long before your lot got off your fat *****"

He seemed to take umbrage at that .......buggered if I know why!

[von Poop]

The 'unknown' nationality becomes just a teeny bit clearer.

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Von Poop

The 'unknown' nationality becomes just a teeny bit clearer.

"Shout"