June 2014 - D-Day, the unusual stories
Alan Grace gave a very timely talk on 6th June about lesser-known stories from D-Day coinciding with the 70th Anniversary of this incredible, logistical and military feat. The talk was interspersed with tracks of contemporary recordings from D-Day participants, including the BBC’s John Snag and backed up with the drone of aircraft and the popular songs of the day.
The topics, many based around individual stories, included the crucial factors which helped to ensure success; the German High Command had their own personal views such as Hitler’s dislike of certain possible locations for landing troops and the disbelief of D-Day being brought one day forward. Phantom armies were created in the Pas de Calais and in Norway which helped to suck in German troops. Security of critical information was of paramount importance; deliberately confused information was employed and General Eisenhower made sure that De Gaulle was not party to top level, coded information.
Several of the subsequent questions, following this intriguing talk, concerned personal tales passed down from participants of the Normandy-based fighting.