Friday, August 26, 2022

Personal Tales Of The War

The Battle of Britain remains one of the most consequential campaigns of the Second World War. Canadians served throughout.


One of them was Bill Sprenger, who would lose his life during the Blitz.


Some of his letters and his Memorial Cross are displayed here.


The Battle of The Atlantic lasted from the first day of the war to the very last day, the longest of the war.


Faces from that era look back at us through time.


In the foreground here is a rocket launcher called a Land Mattress.


This is the life jacket of a German pilot who was shot down in France in July 1944. He ended up a POW, and Canadian officers went from foe to friend, treating him well, signing the jacket.


Alex Campbell was an officer who sought to follow the example of his father, who had served and died in the First World War. He served in North Africa, Sicily, and on the Italian mainland, proving to be courageous under fire and more than capable of leading his men. He would die in the line of duty.


A look at the next space.


Not that many Canadians served in North Africa, but some officers were brought along for combat experience, including Campbell.


It was in the Italian campaign that many Canadians would start to show their merit.


Tank At Crossroads is the title of this 1943 painting by William Ogilvie.

20 comments:

  1. William - so important that these heroes are not forgotten.

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  2. Many Canadians and other members of the Commonwealth gave their lives during the Battle of Britain. The museum I visited for my last post acknowledged the contribution made by non British pilots during that momentous battle.

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  3. Wars have claimed many brave lives.

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  4. The post basically brought me to the location without a 22 hour flight!

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  5. ...every story is a collection of individual stories.

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  6. Interesting exhibit, the heroes need their stories told. Take care, have a happy weekend.

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  7. How haunting those faces are looking at us now.

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  8. The faces of those young people…war is hell.

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  9. @Angie: quite true.

    @Fun60: so many gave their all.

    @Nancy: that is always the case.

    @italiafinlandia: very much so.

    @roentare: less of a flight for me.

    @Tom: that's true.

    @Eileen: I agree.

    @Gemel: indeed.

    @Francisco: thanks.

    @Marie: all too often.

    @magiceye: definitely.

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  10. The sacrifices that people made are amazing.

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  11. Nadie debería pasar por esto y pasan los años y continuan las gentes perdiendo la vida en las gueras.
    Feliz fin de semana.

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  12. oh yes, such an important deadly battle, amazing how many people fought

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  13. @Sharon: indeed.

    @RedPat: definitely.

    @Ventana: thank you.

    @Amy: it was a necessary war. Because the alternative was worse.

    @Joanne: hopefully never again on that scale.

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  14. So young ~ those heroes and so glad they are being honored ~ Xo

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days ~ Xo

    A ShutterBug Explores ~
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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