Monday, April 30, 2012

OPERATION TIGER



OPERATION TIGER


Who has heard of this? I must admit I never did. An amazing story of a disastrous rehearsal that caused many deaths. 
See here

Saturday, April 28, 2012

The Song of the French Partisans

The 'Song of the Partisans' was the Free French anthem
The Cross of Lorraine was the symbol of Free France
 The "Song of the Partisans" (in French, "Le Chant des Partisans") was the wartime anthem of the French Partisans. The French lyrics of the song were written by Joseph Kessel and Maurice Druon who were uncle and nephew. It became one of the most popular French songs of the war years.   

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Friday, April 27, 2012

"Join the Home Guard & give Hitler the boot"

(Photograph of WW2 recruitment poster)
The Home Guard recruitment poster seen above appealed to young sportsmen, especially footballers. The message was simple - join your local team and give Hitler the boot! This photograph was taken at the National Football Museum when it was based at the Preston North End football ground (Deepdale).

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Michel Hollard (1897 - 1993)

1. V1 photograph displayed at the IWM

2. Imperial War Muesum, London
 For additional information about the V1 and Michel Hollard, 'the man who saved London' click on 'Comments' below.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The Pau War Memorial, France (64)

1. War Memorial at Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques Department No 64

2. Place de la Déportation, Pau.
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Monday, April 16, 2012

Joe Brown of Peebles

Sunday, April 01, 2012

Driver Pat Kelly, RASC (Normandy Veteran)


















On parade: Normandy Veteran Pat Kelly [1922 - 2012]

Normandy Veteran Patrick Kelly from Whitehaven, Cumbria passed away on Friday 23 March 2012. Pat, as he was generally known, was 89 years old. During WW2 Pat served with the Royal Army Service Corps (R.A.S.C.) and took part in the Normandy Landings.

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A Dunkirk Veteran's Final 'March Past'




















Private John L. S. Lowrey, Dunkirk Veteran (Above left) 
Veterans 'march past', Whitehaven,Cumbria 
(June 2011)

In June 2011, 71 years after the Dunkirk evacuation, WW2 veteran John L.S. Lowrey took part in the Veterans 'march past' at the Whitehaven Festival, Cumbria. John marched at the rear of the gathering of 'old soldiers', arm in arm with one of his daughters. This would prove to be John's final 'march past' as he passed away a few months later on Friday 16 March 2012. 

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HMS Liverpool (C11) [1938 - 1952]













Photographs (top to bottom):
(Top): HMS Liverpool (Valletta Harbour, Malta)
(Middle): HMS Liverpool Christmas card
(Bottom): Detail from Christmas card (1949 / 1950)

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