大象传媒 - WW2 People's War - Learning Zone

Sources: Remembrance

The learning activities for the 'Remembrance' theme are based on the following stories and photographs. You can use the extracts as they appear on this page, or follow the links to read the full stories.

How do we remember?

A variety of examples about reflecting on the experience of war:

why some incidents are remembered and not others
things that stand out in the individual's memory such as the smell after a bombardment or the feel of a new uniform

Death in Oosterbeek

At the dawning he came to me again,
That gentle smile, and blood upon his cheek
Reminding me, for his end had come
In the dappled woods of Oosterbeek.

A Night to Remember: The Coventry Blitz

The night had started as a perfect autumn evening; bright and cloudless, the moon full and the clear air crisp and fresh. Now the air stank of stale, singed dust, similar to an old Hoover dust bag.

James Hill's D-Day: 3rd Parachute Brigade

As we were walking along, dawn was breaking and we saw the most amazing display of fireworks, and heard the thunderous noise of guns as the troops and ships started attacking the shoreline. It was a remarkable sight to see from behind the front line, and it was very encouraging because we knew then that we weren't alone.

The Telegram

I could not speak, my throat was dry. Dad squeezed past me to go into the kitchen [to tell Mam that her son had died in action]. The next few moments I will remember all my life. Lena and I were still standing, looking at each other, when this most awful howl sounded from the kitchen. It was like the howl of a wolf in the wilderness. It went on for a good five minutes. Lena had rushed past me into the kitchen; I ran into the toilet and stuck my fingers in my ears.

D-Day and Belsen Concentration Camp

I had nightmares for many years - my husband would wake me up and say I was crying again. After all these years I managed to live with my memories and the nightmares have stopped. We had no-one to talk to, we just had to keep going.

Lucky to Have Legs: Saved by a Brave Pilot

I clearly remember the awful sound of crunching, tearing metal as the aircraft was violently pushed around. Then utter silence. Smoke and dust blocked out daylight.