Operation Overlord

Write to live, live to write.

AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Good luck everyone, for the long and turbulent year ahead of us. What with the financial crisis, global warming, the war in the Gaza Strip...it's going to be a bad year. Ah well...at least Bush is gone!
I'm so happy I finally got Joy interested in something WWII-ish, although not really related to WWII proper. It goes like this - the men of E Company were in Hitler's Eagle's Nest first, also the home of many other German big shots. So all their lovely big cars were just waiting there to be driven. The men took 'em, of course, and had loads of fun.
But then the top brass began to move in, and ordered the cars to be given to them.
Soon strange things started happening to the cars. One Sergeant reported that the windows were bulletproof, but not if you used armor piercing bullets. A few emptied the radiators of their cars and tried to drive them, but the engine soon overheated. Another burnt out the engine trying to climb the long, steep road to the Eagle's Nest. And my personal favourite - to see if it would survive a thirty metre drop, the men drove it off the cliff. (Of course they jumped out before it went over. They're not stupid, you know.)
It was just perfect for Joy, trying to find out what to do to Emmett (go read her fan fic). Although I still say it's too bad that they destroyed such a beautiful jeep...it would be nicer if she had sold it to me.

~Today in History~
1945: In retaliation for the Malmedy massacre (that's when the Germans slaughtered 72 odd US POWS) , U.S. troops massacre 30 SS prisoners at Chenogne. Don't blame 'em, really.

~Quote of the Day~
In war there is no substitute for victory.
-Douglas MacArthur...remember this one, LT?

>>Forgotten by23:56

AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Not the dead, actually, maybe the half dead.
It was extremely cold in Beijing. The day we got back from Pingyao (More on that later) it was a friggin -11 degrees celcius. Not a very nice temperature.
But I liked it. Cold is good. Not too cold. But it's nice. When we got back at the airport, we thought they had turned off the air con. It was that hot to us.
Let me start from the beginning.
On the first day we reached Beijing at around eleven. It was cold, pretty cold, and we practically ran into the house when we reached it.
The second day we went...somewhere, I can't remember. But basically we went skiing (first time), laser tag in the forest (prone position, leopard crawling, everything. I was on the winning team all the time except one and I was a first timer), foot reflexology (my feet were killing me, first time), the great wall of China, the Bird Nest, go karting (third place!), went to the ancient city of Pingyao on an overnight sleeper train which stank of smoke 'cause the Chinese really don't care where they do it, flew back on our first domestic flight, experienced sub zero temperatures, created name stamps and bought a wii, a sword, a gun, and the best thing of all -
Bejing was absolutely crawling with military stuff. All along the roads you'd see people selling army shirts, German helmets, American helmets, guns, and assorted stuff. It was a WWII buff's heaven. I tried on a German helmet and an American one, but I didn't buy it.
What I did buy...
A WWII era (though probably not authentic) U.S. 101st Airborne shirt, complete with the U.S. Army sign on the front, the Screaming Eagle patch and the American flag.
Beautiful! An even better purchase than the wii.
We bought a Marines cap for Jason and the 101st Airborne's black cap, worn by the training Sergeants known as Black Hats because of the headgear.
Also two Army themed wallets, a miniature .50 Cal and a toy MP40.
This has been the best holiday (until we go to America, anyway) ever.

~Today in History~
1944: Germans launch Operation Nordwind in an attempt to destroy the allied troops in Alsace.

~Quote of the Day~
When I said that British fighter-bombers had shot up my tanks with 40mm shells, the Reichsmarschall who felt himself touched by this, said: 'That's completely impossible. The Americans only know how to make razor blades.' I replied: 'We could do with some of those razor blades, Herr Reichsmarshall.'
-Erwin Rommel, showing the rare funny side of him. I may have used this quote before, but what the hell.

>>Forgotten by01:14

AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY Friday, December 12, 2008

Well, I'm off to Beijing in two days. It'll be my first time in a temperate country (Is Hong Kong temperate? I don't know) during the winter time, so I can bet my Black Knights poster that it's gonna be bloody awfully cold. Ah well. I guess some cold'll do me good.
Our first day is gonna be the 16th of December, which coincidentally is when the Battle of the Bulge began. On the 17th, the day the 101st moved to Bastogne, we'll be playing laser tag, so maybe we can reenact Bastogne or something. Heh.
How nice. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is looking like a sausage whenever I go out.
Since I won't be around for the rest of the month, I shall say all the "happy" stuff that I'd like to wish everyone now. And by the way, Happy 67th anniversary of one of the biggest mistakes by Hitler - declaring war on the USA. That was two days ago, on the eleventh.

1. Happy 64th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge! (16th December)
2. Happy 64th anniversary of the 101st Airborne moving to Bastogne! (17th December)
3. Happy 64th anniversary of Nuts day! (If you don't know what I'm talking about, go wikipedia, search battle of the bulge, and find "nuts". 21st December)
4. Merry Christmas!

That's about it, I think.
I'm going back to writing my short story. Yes, a new one. Yes, it's about war. No, it's not about WWII. Amazed? It's about WWI. I'm writing about the Christmas truce in 1914, just for the heck of it, seeing as it's so near Christmas.
Whoopee. Have a good holiday.

~Today in History~
1941: Hungary and Romania declare war on the United States.

~Quote of the Day~

What’s merry about all this, you ask? We’re fighting – its cold we aren’t home. All true but what has the proud Eagle Division accomplished with its worthy comrades the 10th Armored Division, the 705th Tank Destroy- er Battalion and all the rest? Just this: We have stopped cold everything that has been thrown at us from the North, East, South and West. We have identifications from four German Panzer Divisions, two German Infantry Divisions and one German Paratrooper Division. These units, spearheading the last desperate German lunge, were headed straight west for key points when the Eagle Division was hurriedly ordered to stop the advance. How effect- ively this was done will be written in History; not alone in our Division’s glorious history but in World History. The Germans actually did surround us, their radios blared our doom. Their commander demanded our surrender in the following impudent arrogance:
December 22nd 1944

“To the U. S. A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne.

The fortune of war is changing. This time the U. S. A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units. More German armored units have crossed the river Ourthe near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hompre-Sibret-Tillet. Libramont is in German hands.
There is only one possibility to save the encircled U. S. A. Troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think it over a term of two hours will be granted begin- ning with the presentation of this note.
If this proposal should be rejected one German Artillery Corps and six heavy A. A. Battalions are ready to annihilate the U. S. A. Troops in and near Bastogne. The order for firing will be given immediately after this two hour’s term.
All the serious civilian losses caused by this artillery fire would not correspond with the well known American humanity.
The German Commander.”

The German Commander received the following reply:
22 December 1944
“To the German Commander:
N U T S !
The American Commander.”

Allied Troops are counterattacking in force. We continue to hold Bastogne. By holding Bastogne we assure success of the Allied Armies. We know that our Division Commander, General Taylor, will say: “Well Done!”
We are giving our country and our loved ones at home a worthy Christmas present and being privileged to take part in this gallant feat of arms are truly making for ourselves a Merry Christmas.

-Gen. Anthony MacAuliffe. What can I say? I'm feeling long winded today.

>>Forgotten by23:23

AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY Sunday, December 7, 2008

Happy Pearl Harbor bombing, everyone!
Today, sixty seven years and nine hours and twenty five minutes ago, at 07 55, the first wave of Japanese dive bombers would be attacking.
Ten minutes later, the most famous ship on Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona, sank, hit in her forward magazine by a bomb.
The attack sank four U.S. Navy Battleships (two of which were raised and returned to service late in the war) and damaged four more. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer, destroyed 188 aircraft, and caused personnel losses of 2,402 killed and 1,282 wounded. The power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section) were not hit. Japanese losses were minimal, at 29 aircraft and five midget submarines, with 65 servicemen killed or wounded.
The Japs were a bit stupid (no offense to anyone) you know. They should've proceeded to bomb the shipyards and headquarters and everything. That would've made it a worse defeat for the US. And they were also unlucky. The aircraft carriers, important in any fleet, were out on an exercise. They never got the chance to bomb them.
So if they did destroy the carriers and the buildings, would the US Navy have recovered? Probably not in time if they still wanted to end the war by 1945.
But that isn't the most interesting thing about Pearl Harbor. The most debated thing is, Did the U.S. know about Pearl Harbor?
After reading a book on the subject, I have to say I think the US did. They deliberately ignored the warning bells - the silk ad, the coded message and the radar - and let the attack go on. Problem was, FDR was all for joining the war (or so I think) but the public was against it. So what they needed was a tragedy to spur them on. Pearl Harbor was the perfect tragedy.

Ah well. Enough with my rambling, as they say. Good night, good bye, and God Bless America. Although I'm not an American speechmaker or anything.

~Today in History~
1941: PEARL HARBOR BOMBED...need I say more?

~Quote of the day~
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

- Obviously, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Don't blame me if I posted this before, because it's significant.

>>Forgotten by01:00

AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Today is a very special day.
It's the day I finally turn thirteen.
Yes, it took a long time coming, but it finally came. Whoopee.
What does it feel like, to be one year older? Nothing, really, seeing as I was already 12 years and 365 days old yesterday.
The great thing about having a birthday is you get to get everything you want. I woke up at seven odd, we went cycling at ten, had a whopping Billy Bombers lunch after that (Usually I finish all my pasta, but this time it was just too much.) and a big, seven bucks odd worth of cookie and cream milkshake. Then we got to watch two episodes of BoB (Day of Days and Carentan, if anyone's interested) and now we get to use the com.
Whoopee. Mind blowing birthday. By the way, just for the heck of it, Arunima was the first one to wish me happy birthday; congratulations, and no, you don't win a prize. Eugene was the second one, and the third's still taking their time.
If you think I'm complaining, however, think again. I'm fine with people not wishing me happy birthday (even though it's a once a year experience). Doesn't really matter anyway, I'm not complaining (even though I very obviously am). I myself forgot all about it until two days ago (and started wondering why no one remembered).
My parents are getting a cake now. I hope it's an oreo cheesecake, haven't eaten that for ages. And now, off to work. If you thought I was going to waste time moaning to you blokes, think again.

~Today in History~
1942: First splitting of the atom! (I think I've advertised this a whole lot now.)

~Quote of the Day~
There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet.
-Bill Halsey, the George Patton of the Navy, sounding uncannily similar to BoB's "There once was a time when the world asked ordinary men to do extraordinary things" motto.

>>Forgotten by01:12