[Tain]

Today marks the 73rd anniversary of the Allied Forces invasion of Normandy. While it happened many years before even my parents were born, it is a day I mark every year with reflection and respect. I would spend hours with my grandfather, just listening to his memories of that day.

He was in the Canadian Royal Navy, aboard a minesweeper. He told me that he never doubted the outcome of the war, only as to what the cost would be. The day of the invasion, he sat aboard his ship as the fleet began its journey across the channel to France. For what seemed like hours, countless numbers of fighters and bombers flew overhead. Before they reached the shores, he looked up to see most of the aircraft already on their journey back to England, as their bombs had been dropped.
Being on a minesweeper, his ship was among the first ones to see the beaches. With any potential mines being cleared, his shipped turned off and made way for the battleships to begin their bombardment of beach defenses. But given the fortifications, he could see the solders would have a bloody time of it, when their turn came.

All he could do now was watch, watch all the brave men land on the beaches and begin storming the enemy location. It was a bloody battle like no other he had seen before.

Once the beach head had been secured, they began to offload the heavy equipment. What he said after, sticks with me the most. Allied and Axis, bodies were everywhere. Many would see their journey end in the many graves across France, but many more who were beyond recognition and would be burned in giant piles. As to avoid disease and because the resources were simply not available to deal with them all. He said the smell was one he would never forget.

He told me many stories about his days in the Navy, but none quite like this day, now 73 years ago.

What stories do you have, how was your family involved on this day?

[Mayrheane]

My Gramps fought in the battle of Berlin against the Soviets... Tho despite he kinda fought with the Hitler Youth reserves; He wasnt really a fanatic, he said he only did what he did coz he hated communism... Fortunately he survived the battle and ended up surrendering to the Americans on the other side... He went on to serve with the West German Army during the majority of the Cold War...

[Tain]

My Gramps fought in the battle of Berlin against the Soviets... Tho despite he kinda fought with the Hitler Youth reserves; He wasnt really a fanatic, he said he only did what he did coz he hated communism... Fortunately he survived the battle and ended up surrendering to the Americans on the other side... He went on to serve with the West German Army during the majority of the Cold War...

It is always fascinating to hear stories from different perspectives. A really good war movie about the Hitler youth in the battle of Berlin is portrayed in the German film Downfall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downfall_(2004_film). A great watch if you havent seen it yet.

[aceman67]

We should also remember that James 'Scotty' Doohan served on D-day. He was a Lieutenant with the 14th Field Artillery regiment, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division on Juno Beach where he shoot two Snipers and lead his men through a antitank mine field before taking up defensive positions fit the night. While crossing between command posts that night, he was shot 6 times by a nervous Canadian Sentry, 4 in his leg, one in his Chest (stopped by a silver cigarette case given to him by his brother) and one through his right middle finger, which had to be amputated.