Question for the Saga Lout Brigade

[bluechimes]

Unlike me (despite what Sui believes )

I'm to young but am sure some of you may/are/were old enough to remember the events of the D Day in 1944

Any of you got some memories? Allowing for SD having set in

What you were doing. Did you know it was on were you aware of what was happening?

What was it like on the day in Pompey etc etc .

Just interested in your memories

KR

BC

[Corkhead]

Sorry BC, can't help unfortunately. Far, far too young to be alive in 1944. My first memory of warships in The Solent is the Spithead fleet review in the 50s. It was like a holiday what with all the lights lighting up the sky and matelots all over Ryde seafont. We were so poor our Dad put some cold mashed potato mixed with sugar in an ice-cream cone and told us to shut up and enjoy the festivities.

[pfclassof61]

My only memory associated with D-Day is cycling around Southwick some time after the war and seeing areas there where heavy vehicles had waited for the assault.

I read this week that Lee-on- Solent was used as a jumping-off point. Perhaps, Gun has some comments...

[BlueAdder]

I would have been seven and a half in June 1944 so don't have adult type memories although I was aware that we were at war. Bloody Germans used to come each night and try to kill me with their bombing. Was living in Nightingale Road and remember going to shelters at night. Remember going up to Palmerston Road and seeing the Handleys building (now Debenhams) blazing and all the fire engines and firemen battling with their hoses. Remember seeing fighter planes in dogfights high in the sky, and remember Doodlebugs coming over and the engine stopping and then the wait for it to land somewhere, hopefully not on you. Eventually got evacuated to Liss and can remember the build up toward D-day. Remember watching huge bomber raids passing overhead on their way to Germany.
My main memory of the actual invasion time was the massive build up of men and equipment that was all around. My one certain memory of the actual invasion was seeing planes going over towing large wooden gliders. As I know no

[Corkhead]

Great post Bladds.

PS It's like being there. FF's own Ernie Pyle.

[pompeygun]

My only memory associated with D-Day is cycling around Southwick some time after the war and seeing areas there where heavy vehicles had waited for the assault.

I read this week that Lee-on- Solent was used as a jumping-off point. Perhaps, Gun has some comments...

The whole area from Pompey to the Beaulieu River was one vast jumping off point. Lee was one of those & being even in those days it had a slipway a lot of heavy equipment like Tanks went from there.
Warsash for instance is famous for the special forces departure point. Lord Lovat & all that.

[Scoular1]

So many war ships going in and out of Portsmouth Harbour.

And NO I don't have any views from Scully Towers re:this

[Scoular1]

Didn't the Yanks load up from Gosport in the Priddy Hard area.I read a plaque by the Jolly Roger Pub to this effect

[BileysThere]

Pretty much how my dad describes it, thanks Bladder.
I watched the bbc coverage early morning aboard HMS Bulwark when the lady reporter was asking a RM vet how he felt, he struggled with his emotions and then you saw the arm of a serving RM come across his shoulder to steady him. It made me gulp and i have felt it all day.
Over here in Ireland there was a story about an Irishman 6 Commando who at 88 could not make the trip to Normandy but had asked for a wreath dedicated to all the Irish who fell to be laid in his.

[pompeygun]

An old Guy went missing from his care home yesterday & turned up @ Normandy, he wasn't going to miss his chance to say goodbye to his fallen comrades. Lovely story.