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Post by bigdawgs on Apr 29, 2024 9:10:55 GMT -5
Headed out to Bastogne, the Ardennes and Normandy for next couple of weeks. I would tell everyone to behave, but not sure there is anyone here anymore.
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Post by NCBulldawg on Apr 29, 2024 9:57:57 GMT -5
Headed out to Bastogne, the Ardennes and Normandy for next couple of weeks. I would tell everyone to behave, but not sure there is anyone here anymore. I'm here, I will peruse the various Boards and represent for you, BD, and will spout off accordingly, whichever way necessary! That aside, and seriously, have a fine time, safe travels and enjoy! Cheers, sir!
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Post by 75tranzam on Apr 29, 2024 11:57:03 GMT -5
Have a good trip Bob!
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Post by geauxtigerfan on Apr 29, 2024 13:23:59 GMT -5
Headed out to Bastogne, the Ardennes and Normandy for next couple of weeks. I would tell everyone to behave, but not sure there is anyone here anymore. Have fun and enjoy yourself.
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Post by bilogle on Apr 29, 2024 14:12:54 GMT -5
have a great time, bd...
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Post by tonythegator on Apr 29, 2024 15:20:47 GMT -5
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Post by bigdawgs on Apr 29, 2024 15:47:05 GMT -5
Headed out to Bastogne, the Ardennes and Normandy for next couple of weeks. I would tell everyone to behave, but not sure there is anyone here anymore. Have fun and enjoy yourself. Going to be "work". Guiding a group through the Battle of the Bulge and the D Day landings. Rough job.
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Post by theswan on Apr 30, 2024 12:46:28 GMT -5
My kind of trip. Have fun and stay safe!
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Post by bigdawgs on Apr 30, 2024 14:45:33 GMT -5
Entrance to Luxembourg American Cemetery George S Patton Jr. view of his boys Luxembourg's Hero and Savior. Tomorrow it is a terrain walk of Kampfgruppe Peiper's spearheading attack for 6th SS Panzer Army to breach the American sector, split the British and secure Antwerp after crossing the Meuse River. It is a brutal and ultimately failing effort despite repeated massacres of US prisoners and Belgian civilians.
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Post by tophb21 on Apr 30, 2024 21:39:57 GMT -5
Safe travels, Bob. Sounds more enjoyable than my week this week of Dayton, Boston, and LA in 5 days. Followed by Vegas next week, and Fort Worth, Naples, Fl and Charlotte the following week.
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Post by bigdawgs on May 1, 2024 14:36:03 GMT -5
Spent today following Kampfgruppe Peiper's attack in the Bulge in a German attempt to reach the Meuse River and drive on Antwerp to split the allies. Joachim Peiper was a hard core Nazi who happened to be a very competent operational commander. He was given the mission to lead the drive to split the British and American forces and force them to sue for a negotiated peace. Peiper brought with him the brutality that had generally been limited to the Eastern Front. Almost immediately at Honfeld and Buellingen and Malmedy and countless other towns, Peiper's SS massacred and executed Belgian civilians and American POWs. His actions at Malmedy resulted in 84 execution of American Soldiers. A few escaped and spread the word about what happened. From that point on, with acquiescence of American Generals, very few SS prisoners survived. In many ways, the northern drive by 6th SS Panzer Army was even more critical than the more famous battle at Bastogne, because that was the main German effort and their eventual failure secured the end for Hitler's gamble. The Big Red One lost 458 Soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge, which is the bloodiest battle in US Military History. Many were lost holding the shoulder of the American defense, north of Buellingen, Belgium. The memorial in Baugnitz, Belgium is for the 84 US Soldiers murdered by Peiper's SS Troops from the 1st SS Panzer Division. Word of the massacre spread like wildfire, reinforcing US troops reluctance to surrender and a tit for tat response to SS atrocities. The field where the 84 were mowed down and then executed by pistol shots to the head at the crossroads village of Baugnetz, Belgium. Belgian civilians who dared help American wounded were treated the same way. One two King Tiger Tanks that were defending the town of La Glieze from American counterattacks from the 3d Armored Division in late December 1944. The tank was eventually destroyed by the Americans as the 3d AD and 82d Airborne Division were instrumental in securing the eventual victory and stopping Hitler's last great offensive. Lieutenant General Matthew Ridgeway, Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps conferring with the youngest General in the American Army, Major General Jumping Jim Gavin of the 82d Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge. Gavan was 37 years old when commanding the All American Division.
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Post by bigdawgs on May 4, 2024 16:16:19 GMT -5
Iron Mike, symbol of Army Paratroopers stands watch over La Fiere Bridge outside of St Mere Eglise, Normandy. The 82d held off German counterattacks from June 6-9 along a main avenue of approach. To a Marine, a Corpsman. To a Soldier, a Medic. To both, a most valuable player. Two 82d Medics received the Medal of Honor for their actions at La Fiere. 82d Airborne Private John Steele hanging from the Church Steeple in Ste Mere Eglise. Wounded in the foot, Steele played dead for 2 hours before freeing himself. Then captured briefly and escaped. This handwritten diary portrays a frightened, yet courageous young paratrooper somewhere in Normandy after his jump. Memorial to E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division at Brecourt Manor. Lieutenant Dick Winters and his Easy Company Soldiers destroyed 4 German guns aimed at Utah Beach. E Company KIA's listed on the monument. The Dick Winters Leadership Memorial between St Marie Du Mont and Utah Beach
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Post by geauxtigerfan on May 4, 2024 23:34:31 GMT -5
Nice pictures. Thanks for sharing Bob.
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Post by bigdawgs on May 5, 2024 11:09:54 GMT -5
Yesterday afternoon at Utah, Pointe du Hoc and Omaha. Utah Beach where the 4th Infantry Division landed on D Day. Much less lethal than Omaha, the 4th was able to quickly link up with the 101st Airborne in Ste Marie du Mont and 82d in Ste Mere Eglise. A fitting Utah Beach tribute to the Combat Engineers who were so critical to the success of the invasion. Ike claimed that the Higgins Boat won the war. It had plenty of help, but it surely was a big element in the ultimate victory. Pointe du Hoc Memorial honoring Major Rudder and his Rangers. The shoreline along Pointe du Hoc at low tide. Rudders boat was headed in the direction of that point you see in the picture. He knew something was wrong and directed the boats head along the coast to the real Pointe du Hoc. Where one of the 4 gun casements were, even though the guns were not in them. This statue, donated by Bedford, Virginia to Vierville, France at Omaha Beach, 29th Infantry Division sector says it all. We fight for each other. We are a Band of Brothers. Bedford lost more Soldiers in WWII than any other town in America for its size. View of Omaha from Vierville. German strongpoints had flanking fire all along the beach making Omaha truly bloody. The D Day Memorial at St Laurent sur Mer commemorates the Big Red One, 1st Infantry Division which came ashore along side of the 29th.
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Post by geauxtigerfan on May 5, 2024 11:29:16 GMT -5
Again thank for the pictures. We came out of World War II to become the greatest nation in the world. Thanks to the many military personnel who gave their lives in protecting our country.
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Post by bigdawgs on May 5, 2024 14:08:05 GMT -5
Today we visited Arromanches, site of the British Mullberry Harbor, Winston Churchill and the Normandy American Cemetery above Omaha Beach. Arromanches on Gold Beach, British Sector of the Normandy landings. Mulberry Harbors were established at Omaha and Gold. But 2 weeks after the invasion a storm totally destroyed the one at Omaha and damaged the one at Gold. Remains of the Mullberry Harbor, Winston Churchill at Arromanches. Normandy American Cemetery. More than 9000 buried here and another 1500 missing in action remembered. A very special place. The marker with the flower display is Medal of Honor Recipient Brigadier General Teddy Roosevelt Jr. The one on this side of him is his brother who was an aviator and died in WWI. General McNair was killed in a fratricide incident as the Americans began the Normandy breakout. Allied bombers hit American troops preparing to launch Cobra. Soldier graves overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel. Memorial at the Cemetery. This speaks volumes about the gratitude of the people of Normandy.
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Post by bilogle on May 5, 2024 14:22:01 GMT -5
great pictures... thanks for sharing them
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Post by geauxtigerfan on May 6, 2024 11:28:15 GMT -5
Pictures not showing on post.
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Post by bigdawgs on May 6, 2024 11:28:59 GMT -5
Pictures not showing on post. None of them?
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Post by 75tranzam on May 6, 2024 12:58:04 GMT -5
None of them for me in that post
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Post by NCBulldawg on May 6, 2024 13:13:30 GMT -5
Just today's posting of pics, BD.
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Post by bigdawgs on May 7, 2024 7:29:10 GMT -5
Are the first two now showing?
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Post by tonythegator on May 7, 2024 7:42:11 GMT -5
Are the first two now showing? yes
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Post by bigdawgs on May 7, 2024 9:09:47 GMT -5
Will try to figure it out tonight.
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Post by bilogle on May 7, 2024 10:15:33 GMT -5
still nada showing for me
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Post by bigdawgs on May 7, 2024 12:59:07 GMT -5
Lets start over. Automation challenged has not gone away with age. The last 24 hours in Normandy we visited Bayeux, including the Bayeux Tapestry and Cathedral and then yesterday morning to Mt. St Michel. Can't take photos inside. But the tapestry, which dates to 1070 depicts William the Conqueror's invasion of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It was contracted by William in 1070 and completed in 1077 and is the oldest cartoon known. The Bayeux Cathedral. Bayeux Cathedral Spires The people of Normandy remember as they prepare for the 80th anniversary. Mont St Michel is the 2d most visited spot in France. It was started in the 700s and the current monastery was built in the early 1200s.
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Post by bilogle on May 7, 2024 13:36:04 GMT -5
now I see them
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Post by geauxtigerfan on May 7, 2024 14:00:39 GMT -5
Are Bayeux Cathedral Spires and Mont St Michel still active churches?
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Post by bigdawgs on May 7, 2024 19:09:28 GMT -5
Bayeux yes. Mont St Michel some time.
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Post by geauxtigerfan on May 8, 2024 11:17:41 GMT -5
Bayeux yes. Mont St Michel some time. Thanks. And have a great rest of your trip. Be safe.
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