Normandy June 2008

[Korps Steiner]

Between the 3rd - 10th June 2008 i'm in Normandy for our annual D Day visit with a group of veterans from the 6th Airborne Div , Durham Light Infantry and the Royal Scots visiting various Battle sites and drinking some french beer and wine !!

We will be at Pegasus Bridge on the evening of 5th / 6th June and then the Airborne cemetery at Ranville on the 6th then back at Pegasus Bridge all afternoon.

Any other forum members going to be there ??

regards

Paul

[4th wilts]

i went to cherborg last year,so i may go in july,if i get carers,lee.

[4th wilts]

i got a berth on the nelson,of the jubily sailing trust.he sails all over the place.like i say i went to cherbourg,good laugh highly recommended.lee.

[sapper]

Wish I could go. Do me a favour lads. Just a moments reflection for the Sappers (me) that were at Pegasus back in 1944.
Sapper

[Korps Steiner]

Consider it done Brian , we always go down to the Troarn Bridge and lay a wreath to all the Sappers who fought with Major Tim Roseveare and 3 Squadron , RE on D Day. As far as i am concerned it was one of the most famous actions of D Day.

One of our vets is from Pearsons 8 Para who also fought in that area.

Interestingly enough i met Roseveares second wife at Ranville on 6/6/2004 she had been a Wren at Supreme Allied HQ and actually sent the signal that commence D Day !!!

best regards

Paul

[sapper]

Very much obliged, I would love to go back, but its not possible.
It was the Third Div Field Companies RE that got to the Bridge just before the Commandos turned up. tanks were barred from crossing Pegasus, just in case it collapsed under the weight.

Orders of Tiger Urquhart RE. Colonel of the Engineers.
I spent some time there, with the bridging and rafting. The enemy wanted it back... badly. They never got it.
Thanks Paul

[Korps Steiner]

My pleasure Brian, i always spend time around Pegasus Bridge as my great friend John " Monty " Montgomery fought in Benouville on D Day with A Company 7 LI Para Bn.

We'll have a beer or two to you and your comrades in the Cafe Gondree on the 6th !! And remember the freedom you gave us.

So my thanks to you Brian and all the others who stood up when they needed to.

Best regards

Paul

[john549]

Can you help ? I had two relatives killed during the fighting at hill 112.
One is buried nearby (he served in 4th Somerset Light infantry) the other served in 4th Wilts and was buried 84 miles away in Dieppe.

Can you think of a logical reason for this ? The only one that I can think of is that he was captured and whilst beng moved back through German lines died of his wounds . Both of their Surnames were Tompkins

[Paul Reed]

There are quite a few graves at Dieppe of men who died of wounds received in Normandy, but whilst in German hands. There was a hospital at Dieppe used by the Germans; probably the same hospital(s) used by the British in WW1.

[sapper]

Not unusual to find men buried away from their original location. Look at it like this.....Men get killed all over the place, some are buried, some not.
later the team with the task of collecting them all up, take them to the nearest cemetery that can take them. I presume, For a mate of mine is buried miles away from where he died. So it is not unusual at all.
Sapper