All
still goes well on the coast of Normandy.
In
some places we have driven several miles inland.
On the
beaches fighting was opposition was less than expected, but heavy fighting
still lies ahead.
Winston
Churchill - as reported on the BBC 9PM news on Tuesday 6 June 1944
In fact, Churchill had written his summary the
night before D Day.
The Allied invasion plans had called for the
capture of Caen and Bayeux on
the first day, with all the beaches linked (except Utah) and a front line 10 to 15 kilometres from the beaches.
However, practically none of these objectives
had been achieved.
It would be two months before British and Canadian troops took Caen.
------
On a gloriously sunny Friday evening there was
a big crowd at Hove for the T20 Bash Sussex v Gloucestershire.
Sussex won the toss & put Gloucestershire
in to bat.
Gloucester’s 189 for 6 included 84
from 51 balls by Cockbain, with no other visiting batsmen exceeding 28.
In reply,
Sussex looked well set at 106-3, but Rory Hamilton-Brown's exit after a fine 49
led to a mini-collapse to 132-7 .
However,
Piolet & Beer batted well;so that with only ten needed off the final over,
Sussex were suddenly favourites.
A
dot ball and a wicket changed things, with Piolet going for 25 after picking
out Housego, leaving Sussex still needing ten runs off of the last four balls.
An
edge from Liddle revived hope as it went to the boundary, but he was out the
next ball, leaving Beer needing a six off the last ball.
And
unfortunately for him, he could only pick out Housego as Sussex were all out
for 185, with Gloucestershire winning by just four runs, with Graeme McCarter
taking 5-35 .
----
During the day I had been dipping in & out
of the BBC’s excellent coverage of the 70th anniversary of D Day.
The
Normandy Veterans were there for one last parade, all with tales to tell of
that historic Tuesday long, long ago; of friends in their late teens & early 20s who had died, who had given their tomorrows for our today; of how they were the
lucky ones.
Wearing his distinctive vintage British army uniform D-day veteran and former desert rat Ken Scott aged 98 years old amongst the graves following the service of remembrance at the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in Bayeux.
Of the World Leaders who were in Normandy -
whatever he has or hasn’t been able to achieve as President – as always, Barack Obama was far and away the best speaker.
Of course, I’ve got John Squire booked for the
Eulogy at my funeral ( 20 minutes; major on my good points, please
John), but if he wasn’t available on the day, then I’d be OK if it was
Obama !
I often mention my Dad in my blogs; matches and cricketers we’ve seen, pubs we’ve visited.
But this evening I thought about Mum.
It was 20 years ago that she & I had
watched the 50th anniversary of D Day.
Her memories of WWII as fresh as though they
were just last week.
Of sad times, a boyfriend dying of wounds from the
abortive Dieppe raid, of hard work in the Land Army & of good times too: When today might be your last day, Richard,
you must make the best of it.
She always liked the Marines’ motto: If you have to get up with the Lark, make
sure you go to bed with a Wren.
Some of you will have known Mum: a few from
your childhood, more when Mum was in her 70’s & 80’s.
As I write this, I know the Squires will be
thinking of Mum’s answer to a Quiz question one Boxing Day: That would be Midge Ure, dear.
And many of you will have heard me tell you of
Mum’s prowess at Whist.
For me: it is Mum’s unconditional love for me,
on the best of days & on the bleakest.
It never wavered.
You look
tired, son. Have a nap in the armchair.
Though it didn’t stop her giving me a bollocking
when I deserved it; and just occasionally when I didn’t!!
Mum at my 50th Birthday Party:
Merryfield, Sunday 23 June 2002.
It was 10 years ago this April that Mum died.
There hasn’t been a day I haven't thought of her.
And missed her.
----
On the night before D Day General Dwight
Eisenhower, the Supreme
Allied Commander in Europe, issued his Battle Order:
This operation is
not being planned with any alternatives.
This operation is
planned as a victory, and that's the way it's going to be.
We're going down
there, and we're throwing everything we have into it. And we're going to make
it a success.
But before he went to bed, Eisenhower chose to write one
more note - just in case:
Our
landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory
foothold and I have withdrawn the troops.
My
decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information
available.
The
troops, the air and the navy did all that bravery and devotion to duly could
do.
If
any blame or fault is attached to the attempt it is mine alone.
He put the note in his pocket.
And then had
sex with his mistress, his driver Kay Summersby.
Though the fighting was to bring very heavy
losses - some 20,000 French civilians died in Normandy alone –within 90 days the
Allies had liberated Paris and reached Brussels.
Within less than a year, on 8 May 1945 Germany surrendered.
Just 9 years after D Day, in 1953 General
Eisenhower became President Eisenhower, the 34th President of the
United States.
And as for Kay Summersby ….
Well like Dad & me, Dwight Eisenhower knew that Good Drivers are
like Gold Dust; once you have one, never let her go !!!
See you soon.
Lord Ric Of Beckley
Furnace
