June 6th 1944 - we should never forget how the world owes them so much

The landings at Normandy France, with 4 beachheads, Gold, Juno, Omaha, Utah

June 6th 1944, 66 years to the day. This was the day the Allied Forces comprising US,UK. French, Belgian, Dutch and many other battalions hit back at the Germans in a 1 million man assault on the European continent. A seminal book, by Cornelius Ryan called the The longest Day has been made into a successful movie some 30+ years ago. It is a classic movies starring then movie greats such as John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Sean Connery, Sophia Loren and many other stars with a cast of thousands. I watched it recently to commemorate the D-Day landings as this was the turning point of the
second world war as seen by many historians.


The real heroes of the war, dead on the beach.

The pictures are real and show the true meaning of war, in black and white with no glamour at all. The message is poignant, in that politicians with their vitriolic arguments and grand ambitions like Hitler and Hirohito, the final outcome is always death and wanton destruction of mankind. Additionally many millions are scarred emotionally and physically by the ravages of war. Yet wars are still staged by various countries to exercise and exhibit their dominance and influence
over other countries for economic and industrial gain.


Landing Craft unloading the marines onto Omaha Beach - nicknames 'Bloody Omaha'

The foot soldiers at Normandy had to carry out their orders and kill or be killed. Their sacrifice and unrelenting focus on winning back the territories taken over by the German 60 odd years and finally overcoming the German conquerers has left the world a very different place than had the Germans won the war. The real heroes are not the Generals and Politicians who motivated all the people to fight to the last, it was the ordinary soldiers who gave their lives to ensure that the world is what it is today.


A Marine swimming to shore in full battle order

This is a salute to the unsung soldiers who died and veterans who the world owes a major debt of gratitude to. You are the fallen heroes whom we should never forget.