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15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

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Them and Us

by ageconcerndurham

Contributed byÌý
ageconcerndurham
People in story:Ìý
Bill Nixon
Article ID:Ìý
A2927171
Contributed on:Ìý
18 August 2004

It was toward the end of June 1944 we anchored off the coast of Normandy the valley was at 0500 hours we were issued with hard tack biscuits with a tin of bully beef to last us until god only knows when. Having been ordered to stand by the ship at 0600 hours in full battle order to await a landing craft to get us onto the beach.

An American landing craft drew alongside at 1800 hours so then it's down the scramble net into these crafts. ‘Sorry’ said an American sailor we can't take you right to the beach, as their bay be a sniper or two still about. We were dropped into the water luckily for me just knee deep, as I am a non-swimmer. After sprinting up the beach we assembled on the road by this time the weather was atrocious. Off we go quick march, left, right, left, right. The dear officer in charge didn’t realise that in France traffic travels on the right and yes you’ve guessed it they were marching on the wrong side traffic skimming by our flanks making us even wetter.

Finally arriving at a field we bedded down for the night our only cover a ground sheet and a gas cape. In spite of the weather and being drenched, sleep was possible. Early the next morning saw us once again on the move until we reached a large house. The rain had now ceased and so the cooks were busy, it fires, started to boil water, to give us a warm drink and also to prepare a meal.

Out of the house came a cournal who saw what was happening ‘goodie’ he said ‘hot water, I think I’ll have a bath’.

The laws of decency do not allow me to write the words said by the troops I end this story with a question. We did win the war didn’t we?

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