Battle of Arnhem Tour of Duty reality show

I'm still watching it though

 

I'm not.

 

Are they actually ex-Para's?

It gets better - They've called for re-inforcements and the Re-enactors have arrived !

 

Hi Stan,
Can you confirm that Colin's book is going to be published "properly" as a paperback?
All the best............

Yes I can confirm that. I'll post on here again when it's on sale as a "real book"!

 

Yes I can confirm that. I'll post on here again when it's on sale as a "real book"!

Cheers Stan!

 

I've just watched it and thought that it was one of the better efforts at reality TV. I'll be watching part 2 before I go anywhere near Strictly, X-Factor or any of that stuff. These kids at least are now better aware of what their predecessors went through. They even know that if you mess with illegal substances, you'll get binned!

Roxy

 

Anything that makes young kids think more about their predecessors has gotta be good in some ways. The bits with the vets in is bound to be the best bit anyway. I can understand your feelings Ramacal and Drew though. Its like when you are on a training area shouting bang when you dont have any actual rounds and then you go to war and have actual live rounds to play with!

 

Its like when you are on a training area shouting bang when you dont have any actual rounds and then you go to war and have actual live rounds to play with!


I wouldn't know Oggie - I stopped going bang bang when I packed in Cowboys and Indians

 

Oggie,

I remember!

Roxy

 

It must be a RAF thing -You lot always did have better accomodation and food than us. I guess your budget goes on comfort

 

I was a bit disapointed to say the least. Not in the subject, although 10 days is not long enough in my mind to give a representation of what WW2 service was like, but in the attitude of most of the 'volunteers', especially those binned. Try to get away with 'substance abuse' in this sort of programme - must be total idiot(s). But not to get found out until next morning??? - I have some doubts about this programme.
Hope tomorrows is better.

Mike

 

From what I know the kids are from Croydon wich is twined with Arnhem
and the project is run by Pathfinder Parachute Group UK, ex-paras and
a youth-worker since 2004 when they started it in Normandy.
So, its a group of volunteers who do good work for the youth and thats how
one should look at it.

Unfortunately I can't receive channel V here.

Ron...

 

I'll wait until tonights episode has aired before I comment...........

 

Veterans contributions aside, it was all a tad underwhelming wasn't it?

 

I watched it last night.
Considering Health and safety is the God we all have to bow to now the kids were never going to get beasted. The parents/guardians of the kids who were sniffing aerasol must be so 'proud' of thier little angels! How unfit were these kids?
On the plus side most of them 'got it' and now understand a small percentage of what some people their own age did in WW2, which considering when one or two were interviewed at the beginning they thought the war was against The Netherlands!!!??
All in all I enjoyed watching it and look forward to seeing the second parts with the Vets.

 

Watched it, anything to get them away from X Boxes and Mobile Phones/PS2s is OK with me!

One of the Instructors appeared to wear three different sets of Para Wings?

 

Watched the second part last night.
I thought is was a good, entertaining show. And for non WW2 buffs, it was informative, the young girl at the end summed it up when she said something along the lines that she will be back. Also when they gave the kids wreaths to place on the graves the reality kicked in for all of them, good show and a good bunch of kids, and you dont often get to say that in this day and age.

 

Watched it, anything to get them away from X Boxes and Mobile Phones/PS2s is OK with me!

One of the Instructors appeared to wear three different sets of Para Wings?

I don't know who they were but in the British Army the Paras get the opportunity to go to offer countries and do their jump courses and on completion are allowed to wear that countries wings on their smock. A mate of mine wore French, American and German Jump wings as well as his British wings.

The above just made me think funny how none of them were wearing a Para smock despite wearing everything else Para or did I miss that.

 

Well, I watched both episodes and apart from the fact that a few kids from Croydon now know something about the Battle of Arnhem I thought it was pretty poor. Why, oh why do these TV programmes continue to make such basic errors, who the hell does the research for them!!

For instance, one of the veterans who was interviewed was Colin Hall. Mr. Hall served in 10 Para and was taken POW at Oosterbeek. Whenever he appeared his name was put at the bottom of the screen with the words "Colin Hall 2nd Para Brigade". Now unless I've missed something the 10th Battalion were part of 4th Para Brigade. Yes, I know it's a small point but it really annoys the hell out of me when these programmes get such a basic thing wrong.

That said, the final part where the youngsters attended the Service at Oosterbeek Cemetery was well done and, as has been said previously on this thread, I do believe the Croydon bunch finally "got it".

All the best............

 

In general it was quite good.

Pleasing to see the reaction at Oosterbeek Cemetry. - Who knows, there may be a Para or two in there!!