77 Years Ago

[gecko]

In honor of the 77th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, let's see some D-Day related shots.

Here's my contribution from the WIP Spitfire Mk.V package, showing a Spitfire LF.Mk.VB with clipped wings, courtesy of Steve and John. Bonus points if you can tell me what's unusual about this particular Spitfire.

 

[Thudman]

Flown by US Navy pilot. Spits were loaned to navy spotter units in lieu of the flying the Curtiss SOC biplanes they normally flew

 

[gecko]

Well that sure didn't take long! Thought it was harder than that - should've known better with this crowd! Yes, it's a little known fact that the US Navy operated Spitfires in combat, albeit briefly, flying naval gun spotting missions over Normandy in support of the invasion. http://spitfiresite.com/2010/04/spitfires-of-the-us-navy.html

 

[65olschool]

At 01:20hrs 82nd Airborne Division codename "Boston" approached the DZ at Sainte-Mere-Eglise from the NW.

Come and stand in memory
Of men who fought and died
They gave their lives in Normandy
Remember them with pride.

Soldiers, Airman, sailors
Airborne and marines
Who in civvy life were tailors
and men who worked machines.

British and Canadian
And men from USA
Forces from the Commonwealth
They all were there that day

To Juno, Sword and Utah
Beaches of renown
Also Gold and Omaha
That’s where the ramps went down.

The battle raged in Normandy
Many lives were lost
The war must end in victory
And this must be the cost

When my life is over
And I reach the other side
I’ll meet my friends from Normandy
And shake their hands with pride.

'Normandy' by Juno Veteran Cyril Crain

Lest We Forget.

 

[sixstrings5859]

I'm named after my Uncle Raymond who was killed at Omaha Beach,D-day.He was only 17 years old. He lied about his age to join. The greatest generation... Regards,Scott

 

[Led Zeppelin]

Yesterday afternoon I've seen a warbrid (L5 or similar) coming back to La Ferté Alais from Normandy.