Was going to let Steven do the honours with the pictures as he was at most of the ceremonys and services that we were, but I thought id post some pictures of some of the things we did when he wasnt there.

For me this trip was special because of going with Len, so it was a personal trip rather than just going because it was the 65th. I think if I had gone without Len, Steve and Ian it just wouldnt have been the same as the 60th. That was really something else for me just because of the grand scale of things and the amount of veterans that were there. For the 60th there were atleast a dozen coup de main vets and atleast 2000 offical NVA veterans travelling out not to mention a couple of thousand veterans going of their own backs with family and friends. Obviously the 65th was never going to be as grand or the numbers the same as time goes by and so many of these old soldiers are no longer with us. Point proved in that there were only 4 veterans there who were part of the pegasus bridge raid. Bill Gray couldnt get insurance cover, Jim Wallwork wasnt well enough and David Wood passed away at the start of the year. It was pleasing to see Peter Rocky Bright there, who not that long before the 60th was wheelchair bound, he had met and married a Dutch nurse and she got him back on his feet (Dutch women eh Bart? )


Portsmouth harbour from the ferry, when I look out across the harbour I always try and picture what it must have been like leading up to D-day, will probably never get close to it in my head.

It was an early rise on the 5th as we had heard there was going to be a small para drop on DZN where the paras landed 65 years ago and indeed it was small, one Dakota and a hercules transport plane going round twice to drop the 3 para boys.



over 500 dropped in 04 with four or five Herc's going round again and again

We wanted to get to Colleville Montgomery as there was going to be a parade for the NVA vets, they then have a service in front of their field marshall. But as we were leaving a re-enactor came up to Len and asked he would like to take part in a small service. " of the re-enactors if memory serves were ex army? they had made a promise to a couple of para vets that they would each year have a little commemoration at the spot where a friend was killed in 1944. So Len agreed and over we went.







After the re-enactor did his speech (not short) they asked Len to place a poppy cross where the para had been killed

It was a great start to the day, and alot of people wnated to shake Len's hand and we didnt think we would ever get away to get to the parade in Colleville hehe

We did arrive though


Colleville Montgomery

Seems like we cant go anywhere with Len in Normandy without bumping in to one of these


The NVA vets forming up for the parade


Mr Sunray and Smudger Smith forming up





Video of Len and Steve setting or with all the other vets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8dnRztI1b0

Sending the armour first, please note that contrary to belief we dont always drink tea as you will see


The veterans gathering around Monty



My ears got a bit 'excited' at this and it was amazing to see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfYpjHGJOKU

After the service and the fly past by the battle of Britain memorial flight, the vets marched down to the car park by the beach for their medal presentation and Len got a front row seat.
Well done Steve, im pretty sure parading with Len and all the other vets must have really been something, and im sure you will always remember it (plus the sun burn)


Mr Arnhem 'bread' Harry AKA Chris and Steven (I will delete you) on the otherside of the road taking pictures


Vets gathering for the medal presentation

For those of you who have watched the longest day, you might recall a piper piping the troops ashore and then supposedly over Pegasus bridge, the mans name is Bill Millin and he was at the parade! Will just post the one pic as I know Steven has taken some excellent shots




Steven also got some excellent shots of Len being presnted with the medal and also being talked to by school children, look forwards to seeing those mate

It was a baking hot day, the weather forecast before we left England was cloud and rain showers, I didnt take any sun cream so got burnt and my nose is still red and peeling, we had to go and have a sit down after the hectic morning so found a cafe, Steven on the left Steve 'jazz hands' in the middle and Len

Please continue. You have a talent for telling (in words and pictures). I'm all eyes.

MORE!!!!!

Colleville-Montgomery



The other way around



Fly By





A lot of people....

Woooow. That Lancaster is HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brilliant report so far Andy please keep it coming. I will post mine ASAP.

Regards,

Frank

Single Spitfire flying over







Veterans going towards the beach

Wow Steven, those wide angled shots are superb. bet they look even better in full size! The shots of the spits are brill, you must have a good camera

As i was taking pictures, I realised i was standing next to the one and only Bill Millin. I got to shake his hand, but i was so shocked that the only thing i could say was "Thank you"





Len and Steve

That is a classic pic with Millin giving the thumbs up


After a very busy morning the plan was to have a bit of a relax outside the 3 gliders next to Pegasus bridge but it didnt quite work out like that, sat at the same table was a group of Italian re-enactors, with one of them having a very interesting hat, all im saying is black feathers! Anyway one of them spoke good English and they asked Len if they could film him doing an interview, which they did.




We then met up with Bart and Paul, its been a few years since ive seen Bart so it great seeing him again and to meet his brother



After a 'relaxing' couple of hours at the bridge it was of to Merville to meet Fred Glover


Coupleof paras saying hello to Len

By the way please dont be fooled, the man standing in the middle of the picture is not doing a shameless plug for a supermarket or even looking for trolleys, thats Ian taffy Hay


It had been a hot and tiring day but I dont think Steve and Ian were actually sleeping in this pic, just my bad timing



Mr Houx on the left and Mrs Houx on the right ( its what they said not me!) and Arnhem Harry (Chris) in the middle



The WBG numbers started to grow more when Nathalie and Ryan arrived


Detachment of 3 Para were there and also as Bart has mentioned elsewhere, a German military band! As Fred told us on the ferry home, the German officer incharge spoke brilliantly about reconciliation and how we are all now allies and friends, so the vets all stood up and applauded, but were taken aback when the officer raised his arm and........ok never mind it was very funny at the time

Steven and Len back at our Gite, Steven showing Len his baby, this is what takes all the good photos. Also Steven was telling us how he watches dvd's in his tent at night, we then realised why he stops of at Amsterdam on his way to Normandy

Bill Millin arriving at the beach












Next up: Len getting his medal
(might take a bit... still uploading)



Hand moving closer to the "block this user"-button....

OUTSTANDING PHOTOS!!!! Thank you for sharing them w/ all of us!!


I may be mistaken, but it appears that Mr. Millin had suffered a stroke at some point in time....just a Physiotherapist's observation! The look on his face in one of those pics!! He was marching and playing in his heart!!! At the time of the 50th, the Eisenhower Library in Abilene, KS hosted Mr. Millin as a guest of honor!! I was so miffed that I had to work!!!

In hindsight, I wish I would've just told them "I can't help out this weekend!" but hindsight is always best!


God Bless the ALLIES!!!

Well done! Great Photos. Does anyone know if any of theEasy Co. Vets made it to the 65th?

Superb panorama of the opening events lads. Just excellent.

I would have liked to be with you in Colleville... I just love the sound of bagpipes... memories of me living in Edinburgh for a while, I guess.
Sigh...

Thanks for the great pix guys! Really made it feel as if I was there. One of these days I'd love to take a trip to the other side of the pond and pay my respects. Thanks again guys, really appreciate it.

6th June, Ranville

Instead of the usual school children lining the road, 3 Para gave the guard of honour for the vets as they walk up the road from the service at Ranville crossroads






3 Para mascot






We met Fred Glover outside Ranville war cem and he invited us to go and have a drink with him, which we did. It was good to see the respect the 3 para soldiers gave Fred as we walked down the road to the bar. Funny also as Fredrick told two of them to stop talking on parade hehe

Fred standing to attention as the para standards come past


After we had a coffee and a beer in the bar and chatted to Fred and a couple of other vets we made our way back up to the war cem and bid farewell to Frederick as we went to find Steve and Len.



After the service a Dakota flew over and dropped several red devils

I appear to have this rather good and timely habit of managing to be elsewhere when the pics are being taken and long may it continue, unfortunately this is one that got me fair and square with my Scotland team jacket complete with sponsor name emblazoned on it. I am trying to get a Marks and Spencer one for Arnhem if I get the funds to go!

Special thanks to Frederick for spotting my true Welsh lineage and calling me taffy everytime he saw me - I bet that nickname is going to stick among the platoon members.

Great photos Andy and Steve, I will have to invest in a better digital camera and take lessons on how to use it. Photography is not one of my fortes.

Great shots, fellas! Nathalie and you boys all look great and Frederick and Len especially so. Good for you all to get together -- I sure wish I'd been there. Looking forward to Frank's stuff now, too. BK

Back at Pegasus Bridge



Len giving an interview





Bart meeting Len

Merville

Okay, now I have the hang of it I shall put up the few piccys that I took whilst at Normandy 2009. The first is yet another aspect view of the momentous occassion when two British veterans, who both write on our website "WBG" met for the first time. I can impart to you that both men had a tear in their eye after this meeting, as did we onlookers... I had a lump in my throat. It was a very intimate moment. Both Len and Frederick shared a unique moment here. Only Len and Frederick know what passed between their clsoe encounter.

The bust in the background is that of Col Ottway, who led the attack on the battery on the 6th June.

The impressive Skytrain now forming part of the exhibition at Merville Battery, I understand that this plane was found in the middle east prior to being completely renovated and placed here. The foreground of golden wheat in the field sets off the military paintwork very well. Bart has pictures of himself inside this very same transport.



My view of Frederick just after the Merville Ceremony. There was a strange quietness just at this moment, I have encountered this before inNormandy, it is almost like there needs to be a master of ceremonies to keep a continuity going. The men eventually stood up to form a parade right into the Battery to the sound of the German military band. (Frederick is that lady in blue Mrs Blithering ? the one who cooks you steak and kidney pies ? )

Arromanche - part of Gold beach, this LCS was provididng a great deal of excitement to the visitors on the day.



So my son and I had a close look at it. You can see that anyone could go and have a look on board.



Once on board the view back to the beach gave us a selection of military vehicles, including the DUKW on the top right.



There then ensued a series of reversing up the landing ramp and driving back out down the ramp onto the beach, just as would have been seen on the 6th June. You can imagine the gathered crowd getting excited and taking photographs.



Another vehicle reverses onto the ship and back off again.

the mischief in those eyes, great great pics Steven

Well I will start to post my pictures too. Some of you have seen some pictures on FB but I will post some others too.
Sunrise over Pointe du Hoc on June the 5th around 5.30 AM.


Le Point du Hoc on June the 5th 2009. Almost D-Day +65 years.


Craters on Pointe du Hoc. That must have been a massive shelling!!! It's unbelievable that someone could survive a shelling like that.


3 British veterans were discussing the D-Day map in the Memorial de Caen.


Serenade for the British veterans. Beautiful!!!


Some British veterans took a rest. There were about 80 British veterans in the Memorial de Caen. I really didn't expect that. Really though and nice people!

Frederick Glover in Merville.


Stephen and Andy in Merville.


Len Smith and Andy in Merville.


Ian Hay and Len Smith in Merville.


Ian Hay, Len Smith and Steven in Merville.


Andy and Len. (With a little bit of Steven )


Together on a picture with Frederick in Merville.


The first meeting of Frederick Glover and Len Smith.




WBG.com in Merville in front of the statue of Lt. Col. Terrence Otway.

Fabulous shots. Thank you for sharing.

Again. (Please send me a PM with your emailaddress when you want to have these pictures.)


French kissing???


German eagle in Merville.


British veteran on Pegasus Bridge. Name unknown to me, perhaps some of our British members can help identifying.


Bill Martin 7th para (thank you Andy) who landed at 00.30 near Pegasus Bridge on June 6 1944.


Bart, Paul (Bart's brother) and Jeroen (a friend of me) with a British veteran and his wife. His name escaped me but I know he landed near Arromanches on June 7th. This picture is made on Pegasus Bridge.


Parade on Pegasus Bridge. Around 12 oçlock in the evening/night.


Project 65 walkers.


That was my first day. I will post the other pictures tomorrow.

Regards,

Frank

Im of to the shops to get me moobs a bra

Pegasus bridge on the evening of the 5th.



The Project 65 runners arrive at the bridge

Great photos, gentleman, of great and memorable times.

I did see you all at Colleville-Montgomery, but I had an injured Veteran on my hands, so couldn't come over and say hi.

06/06/2009 - Ranville







C-47 coming over



Everybody is looking up because Red Devils are being dropped





After the ceremony. Having a smoke...

Back at the bridge

Len meeting Terry Lovick (S-Company, Ox & Bucks). He landed with his glider on the right side of the river but more in the direction of Caen. He got to the bridge by the evening of the 6th.







Len talking to a runner from Project 65

Crossing the bridge







Tich Rayner in the middle.





Penny Bates in the centre

The more photo's I see, the more I got the feeling that I missed a whole lot!!! What was I doing where????

Great photo's though! Professional quality. I only remember the first name of the veteran on the bridge... his name is Reg. He said that he didn't return to Normandy for the first thirty years after the war, for he was afraid that everyone would call him 'daddy' :-) He fought in Holland as well, at the Scheld in Zeeland where Dutch girls taught him how to pronounce the infamous Dutch "G" (aCHt-en-taCHtig-sCHapen-sCHeren!). My brother started to talk with him while he was jumping around... yes JUMPING... with two French children.

These men simply refuse to grow old!

Paul, your veteran was not the one who fell over and cut his leg was it and they made an announcemenon the pa system for a medic? If so hope he is ok mate.

Project 65 unvieling

Peter 'Rocky' Bright coup de main vet and D comp boxer


the legend that is Danny Greeno and CGS Dannant



Tich Rayner talking to the big cheese


Len standing up in the DUKW just gone over Pegasus bridge



At sea in the DUKW

Canada house, where Len came ashore on D-day, Len used the house as his marker for coming in on his DUKW



Len pointing out where he landed





Len and a landing craft vet who landed Canadian troops ashore on D-day

Steve Jazz hands, and Ian taffy safeways





Church just inland from Juno beach, Len was sniped at in his DUKW from the church tower


The church with Lens DUKW parked outside, and as you can see minus the sniper

I'm so glad you all were there! You are wonderful historians and recorders. well done, boys.

WOW!!!! GREAT photo essays, fellas. I'm cryin' in my beer that I missed it ... literally.

Andy, Stephen, Frank, Bart, Paul, Garry ... your photos are just terrific! I'm helped by having been in those places once before, so I can vividly imagine your days there. Keep them coming, please.

So nice to see you all in the group photo (another one I was meant to be in-bwaaaaaah!). Lovely to see Garry's son Alisdair, Ian, Nat and Ryan, Jeroen and Chris. And of course, Len and Frederick.

And Danny Greeno!!!! What a great job you and your mates did! I'm sure the vets were delighted by the event you managed to pull off, not to mention the proceeds to a great cause. Here's hoping it winds up an annual event that continues to fund the cause AND especially to keep the history alive. That's a lot of work, but of the most rewarding kind, right? Bless you, Danny Greeno.

What a great thread! Thanks, guys! You're the best. BK

The photographic images just seem to keep getting better and better ! very impressive lads.

On June 6th we went to the American sector. We heard about a book signing in the Dead man's corner museum.


Bill Galbraith signing the books for us.


So does Manny Barrios. We didn't meet Fred Bahlau this time.


After that we went to Brecourt to see the new Eay-company monument. On the left you can see the treeline were the German guns stood.


Then we went on to UTAH-Beach. We had to visit a beach on June the 6th. I prefered OMAHA but because Obama visited the American cemetery and several roads were closed we didn't want to lose time and decided to go to UTAH-Beach.


We spotted a very beautiful sand sculpture there. We will always remember those who gave their lives for our freedom!!!!


This is the view the Germans had when they saw the men coming out of the landingcrafts.