SitRep April 1978 and I arrived at Queens Division Depot, Bassingbourn Barracks to start junior Soldiers training as a 16 year old unsure of what was to follow. I was in the Army now and it was about to get very challenging. But it did one key thing, it instilled in me camaraderie, we were bound together in friendship and … Read More
6th D Day Beach – Band Beach
SitRep Forgotten 6th invasion beach. So, the date was June 6th 1944 and the Allied troops landed on Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno & Sword beaches, but to the East of Sword beach 3 other potential significant threats came in the shape of gun batteries at; Merville battery, Houlgate battery and Benerville battery. So, there was a 6th beach identified to … Read More
The Longest Yarn
SitRep The Longest Yarn – knitted D Day models. In over 40 years of studying & researching military history and in particular the D Day invasion I have never come across such a fascinating story about the event. Featured recently on BBC news the story of the “Longest Yarn” set out the activity of people in a number of countries. … Read More
Museé No.4 Commando
On a recent visit to Normandy to undertake further research on D Day, I came across the Museé No.4 Commando Museum. Founded by veterans, its purpose to preserve the memory of the 1st Battalion of Naval Fusiliers. A commando unit established by Commander Philippe Kieffer as part of No. 4 Commando, Royal Marines. The only French unit to take part … Read More
Overlord Tours Normandy – Blog No.3
SitRep The D Day experience Southsea, Portsmouth is a must for anyone who has an interest in the D Day campaign, it has some excellent displays (not least the Landing Craft Tank). It also recently featured on the local BBC News with the 80th anniversary soon to be upon us. Indeed, there have been a number of recent reports associated … Read More
Overlord Tours Normandy – Blog No.2
SitRep So, the date was June 6th 1944, but that’s not the start of the story, there were numerous activities undertaken in the preceding months & weeks. One such activity was being undertaken at Stokes Bay, near to Gosport, Hampshire. It was called operation Phoenix and would be an essential part of the D Day landings following June 6th 1944. … Read More