Although I am not keen on doing these programmes I must admit that I am a sucker for anyone that asks nicely. I find it difficult to turn them down. But here I must admit, that I would dearly like to see a documentary about the exploits of my company during the invasion of Normandy, and onwards. Here I believe that so many events were so "Over the top" that it would make a wonderful hour long programme For instance; who would believe that we pushed a bloody garden roller over Schu mines to explode them...Who in heavens name would believe that we went into enemy territory to play gramophone records.. It sounds so cock and Bull.. but for the fact it happened. So many very interesting little "Cameos of war" I think these should be filmed and retained as info for the youngsters of tomorrow. here here.
Andy You are not going to get away with it that easy. See my thread #56 which says it will be repeated on Sunday at 8 pm. Ron
I'm still half asleep ! Many thanks Ron - Just to make it easier for anyone else that has Sky, it's on channel 537 or channel 538 + an hour. Thanks Ron
Finally caught up and watched the programe, nice to see Ron and Brian on the "Box", I found it a bit iffy with the sound. Brian got a lions share of the program telling his story, whilst Ron made lovely cameo appearances, both covering ground they have always shared with the forum. Its nice to put handsome faces to names thanks guys.
just to put this thread to bed. If you go here: After The War Was Won you will see the apology put out by the Yesterday channel and a brief trailer that shows Brian making a very strong point. Ron
Saw this thanks to Sky+ last night. Marred by the low volume narrator and higher volume, unnecessary backgound music, but otherwise A1. I have a little project tracing and contacting families who may wish to view WW2 Newsletters containing letters home of their servicemen relatives. I have traced about 90 families. Most have been fascinated and delighted to read the letters. Bearing out what was portrayed in this documentary, in about 5 of the families traced, I have contacted daughters whose relationship with their dads suffered so much in and after the war, that they didn't want to access the material. Other daughters also mentioned difficulties when their dads came home but said they gained more understanding though reading the letters and getting a better idea what their parents had gone through. I expect this applied to sons too but perhaps they may be less forthcoming in talking about it. The adverse effect on relationships is perhaps quite a massive unseen cost of a long war to society and families. The project also shows how a workforce that kept in touch throughout the war was able to pick up where it left off, compared to similar (post office) workforces where contact was lost with those in the services and friction between the new staff and the returning servicemen was quite a problem.
Recorded the program and finally caught up with it yesterday. I had know idea that 2 of the Veterans from this very forum were on the show. I thought it was a very good show, it was nice to see another angle from WW2 and one that I certainly had not thought about. Also I thought the many different stories they used from the end of the war gave a very good overview, of course I would have liked to have heard more from Sapper and Ron, but I guess the show would have been 3 hours long if every contributor had all their stories aired, on reflection what harm would that do?? I wonder if they are planning another show, it sounds like they have enough material? Finally it was great to put faces to names. Thanks Ron and Sapper for putting the time in on the show.
RIP David Arkush Survivor of a Japanese POW camp where he was the camp dentist. A charming man who reached the milestone age of 100 Ron
I have been interviewed twice by telephone from the BBc -once with Sally Margesson for which I got zilch - the other on Music for which I was paid 50 pounds - which was quite acceptable for my 20 minute views on how Classical Music is being changed Cheers
