When the DLI saved Western Civilization.



I still read about events such as these and find myself absolutely overcome with what I can only describe as 'strange' feelings of admiration and pity.

The scale of the loss of human lives on a seemingly industrial scale is difficult to take in. Yet these men gave theirs to save others showing the kind of resolute discipline that armies were known for.

It makes our own consumer driven life seem futile but given the choice who would swap?
 
Was listening to James Holland & Al Murray's podcast 'We Have Ways Of Making You Talk', and they were talking about how the DLI had the reputation of being the hardest soldiers in the army and so when there was a particularly difficult job to do it was the DLI who were sent to do it.
 
Was listening to James Holland & Al Murray's podcast 'We Have Ways Of Making You Talk', and they were talking about how the DLI had the reputation of being the hardest soldiers in the army and so when there was a particularly difficult job to do it was the DLI who were sent to do it.
That's a great podcast. They were talking about Sicily the other day and Operation Fustian. The Paras took a bridge and then lost it to the German Fallschirmjäger. They were probably the best trained infantry the Germans had. The next day the DLI took the bridge back.
 
Battle of Arras 1940. Gained enough time to reinforce the Channel Ports and for the Dunkirk evacuation to take place.

Chased the SS Totenkopf off the battlefield as well.

Great story. Battle of Arras (1940) - Wikipedia

Really good breakdown here, quite long but worth a listen.

Currently erading about the Battle of France....finished Len Deighton - Blitzkreig book now onto Alastair Horne`s - To Lose A Battle. Always been fascinated by this.
We went all the time when I was bairn, being able to climb on the vehicles etc was a big thing. Remember the grounds and that were canny too, can remember having picnics and playing rounders and football too.

Me too. Sitting in that Bren Gun carrier was always the highlight. Used to take my kids too. Such a shame that closed down.
 
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We went all the time when I was bairn, being able to climb on the vehicles etc was a big thing. Remember the grounds and that were canny too, can remember having picnics and playing rounders and football too.

Yeah I loved the grounds outside. Durham generally was a great place for a kid to grow up. The riverbanks in autumn and winter were like a secret world you could disappear into
 
That's a great podcast. They were talking about Sicily the other day and Operation Fustian. The Paras took a bridge and then lost it to the German Fallschirmjäger. They were probably the best trained infantry the Germans had. The next day the DLI took the bridge back.
Ponte primasole. It's on the Durham's battle honours . My dad was there with the 9th. The battle took place directly on top of an overnight forced march.
 
The vehicle rally they put on in August was always a highlight of the Summer holidays for us, I'd end up costing my dad a small fortune at the stalls buying just about everything I could reach. I remember going after they did the refit the wall with all the weapons set up on it was pretty good, but it lost something during it.

My Grandads brother served with the 9th Bn in 1940 but was sadly killed on the 26th of May, I normally try to get to the Chapel in the Cathedral that day but obviously can't this year.

That's a great podcast. They were talking about Sicily the other day and Operation Fustian. The Paras took a bridge and then lost it to the German Fallschirmjäger. They were probably the best trained infantry the Germans had. The next day the DLI took the bridge back.

I'm currently reading Rick Atkinsons "The Day of Battle" about the war in Sicily and Italy and have James Hollands' 'Italy's Sorrow' to read after. It's focusing more on the US as the bridge got about a 3 line mention then just rails on about how slow the British were. Going off what he's been saying in the Podcast his Sicily book should be bloody good when it's out. Battle of Britain covered a lot of the war in France and War in the West follows the DLI through the battle of France but I've not got too far into it.
 
War in the West
I reading Volume 1 at the moment, I'v also got his Battle of Britain book to read. I really like Holland's take on things, it some the little detail I like. His comparison of British Army uniforms with the Germans, is really interesting. Yes ours looked a bit shit but were far more practicable and time and money saved could be used to make more weapons and stuff.
 

Superb Google book about the DLI. Down to company level , much of it from the actual war diaries .
Got it out of the library for my dad before the internet was a thing.
 
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My great uncle died in Normandy, was awarded the MC in 1943 in Sicily, I've a copy of the letter from his commanding officer noting the events that led to him being awarded the MC, being dropped off in the wrong location & still took there objective.
RIP Uncle Spike
 

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