Canadians would take part in D-Day and the Normandy campaign, storming Juno Beach, one of five beaches for the great invasion by Allied forces on June 6th, 1944.
Leslie Neufeld was one of those who would not live to see the end of that day. He struggled with his pacifist Mennonite background and his loyalty to the country, but ended up as one of the paratroopers launching into Normandy on D-Day.
This is Drifting Down, a 1944 painting by George Tinning, depicting paratroopers landing in Normandy.
Doug Sam was a pilot officer on a Halifax bomber whose plane got shot down in June 1944. He was one of the lucky ones who didn't get caught and reached safety, returning to the fight afterwards.
Night Target, Germany is a 1946 painting by Miller Brittain.
Alongside the troops, others documented the war effort. War artists, journalists, camera crews were part of that. So too was the concept of war historians. This was the case with Lt. Colonel Charles Stacey.
Here we have his uniform coat and one of his books- in both official languages.
That's nothing for me, I have lived the after war in Germany and my Disney World were ruins. My father's brother was made a soldier at 15 and was prisoner in Siberia for 10 years ! He was 25 when he came back, I never forgot that moment.
ReplyDeleteYou guys really do a great job of showing the humanity, not just the history
ReplyDeleteI was in but one war museum, in Cairo, and all they showed were the weapons. I go with Cloudia.
ReplyDeleteThe young lives lost is such a tragedy.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteGreat exhibit, I am always happy to hear about the soldiers who made it back home.
Take care, have a great day and happy new week!
@Gattina: that would stay with you.
ReplyDelete@Cloudia: that's the idea.
@Iris: it's a good concept.
@David: very much so.
@Eileen: thank you.
...how many times has Europe been saved?
ReplyDeleteIt is important to understand history.
ReplyDeleteThe drifting down painting is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good series where you feature individuals and their contribution to the war...some of them their lives.
ReplyDeleteWe commemorate our liberators every year.
ReplyDeleteThose two paintings do a good job of depicting the scariness of war.
ReplyDeleteWonderful tribute to the Normandy Invasion ~ great photos
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Grandes hombres de la historia de ese país. Mediante ese Museo siempre serán recordados.
ReplyDeleteThe paintings tell the story well.
ReplyDeleteDrifting Down is a great depiction of the paratroopers.
ReplyDeleteNo one wants war. It is actually telling the soldiers were human too. The painting is quite provoking.
ReplyDeleteI like the paintings, especially the one by George Tinning.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Drifting Down is a stunning piece.
ReplyDeleteWar stinks, and more.
ReplyDelete@Tom: a lot.
ReplyDelete@Jennifer: it is.
@Magiceye: I think so.
@Red: very true.
@Jan: all the better.
@Sharon: they do.
@Carol: I agree.
@Ventana: thank you.
ReplyDelete@RedPat: they do indeed.
@Marie: I think so too.
@Roentare: definitely.
@Jan: me too.
@Gemel: indeed.
@Joanne: but sometimes necessary.
Walking on the beach at Normandy is one of the most profound experiences of my life. I salute those who were there for D-Day.
ReplyDeleteI can see that.
DeleteGreat post.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
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