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Wow, it's hard to believe D-Day was that long ago.
Ouch! When I first started reading about WW2 as a kid it had only been about 26 years ago that D-Day took place.
I must be officially old... :(
May we never forget the courage and sacrifice of that generation.
Agreed. Thanks for posting that, Brant.
Quote from: TheCommandTent on June 06, 2013, 07:21:12 AM
May we never forget the courage and sacrifice of that generation.
One of few things that Tom Brokaw has said that I can agree with...they were the greatest generation!
Agreed. It doesn't feel like so long ago...it almost felt kinda recent growing up.
HFC remembering...
http://wargamecenter.wordpress.com/2013/06/06/remembrance-day-the-longest-day/ (http://wargamecenter.wordpress.com/2013/06/06/remembrance-day-the-longest-day/)
Since this is worth commemorating, and in a Grog honour to all those who participated, lets nominate our favourite D-Day books, films and games.
I'll kick off with GMT's 'Normandy '44' which I'll be playing this weekend.
For the film, I guess it has to be 'Longest day'
There a lots of books, but I'll nominate 'Decision in Normandy' by Carlo D'este.
I'm making Bayonet Jr watch The Longest Day tonight :)
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 06, 2013, 04:55:57 PM
I'm making Bayonet Jr watch The Longest Day tonight :)
Great movie. Not sure if I will watch The Longest Day, Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers tonight.
It's Saving Private Ryan for me.
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Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 06, 2013, 05:25:11 AM
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When I bought Avalon Hill's "D-Day" back around 1962 or so, that NY Times front page was the predominate box art. I'll always remember that.
heya Strawberry - welcome back!
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 12, 2013, 05:54:54 AM
heya Strawberry - welcome back!
Thanks. I'm here all the time. I just don't say much. ;D
Bawb, that's a tuffy.
For the movie, I favor Jimmy Cagney's The Gallant Hours
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/314547/Gallant-Hours-The-Movie-Clip-Guadalcanal.html
This was on the fighting on Guadalcanal through the actions of Bill Halsey. My only real complaint is everyone is so damn polite and the marines are too clean.
For a book, you pre-empted my first choice, d'Este's Decision in Normandy. Maybe Lucky Forward by a colonel who served on Third Army's staff during the war.
But my sentimental favorite would be Mailed Fist by Major Max Foley. A very good work on living in a tank regiment.
^'Mailed Fist' is a damn good book, bes.
Actually, 'Overlord' by Max Hastings is not a bad read either, but not, I think, as good as D'Este.
I'm with Bob. I think Hasting's "Overlord" is one of the best reads along with "Seven Armies In Normandy" by the late John Keegan
but d'Este is the better analysis although I do not agree with every conclusion.
A book I read recently, 'Colossal Cracks' by Stephen Ashley Hart' is an analysis of how Monty handled the campaign and, I must say, changed some of opinions about him that I had held for a long time.
Its well worth a read for anyone interested in campaign from a 21st Army Group perspective and the leadership of both Brit 2nd and Canadian 1st Armies.
Its one of the 'Stackpole' books and is pretty cheap on amazon.
Thanks, Bob, may pick this up.