Extremely off topic: A Bridge Too Far

[Drm50]

Nationalism

I'm afraid it's going to take a 9-11 on large scale to wake up a lot
of people. The hate America stuff that is being taught in our
schools and universities makes me crazy. The whole world seems
upside down and backwards to me.
The ones that spit on me 45 yrs ago are running things now. To
them it is a major victory to tear USA down. When guys come
home they are focused on catch up, and don't pay attention to
much politics until it's to late. The grass hoppers playing the fiddle are now living on the backs of those ants that gave their
all.

 

[rwsmith]

Both are true.....

As I get older i find myself less amazed at the courage demonstrated in these events and more appalled at the number of lives wasted through poor planning and/or leadership.

I'm amazed at the courage that was shown even when leadership and planning screwed up. Sometimes the leadership made the day. There is something called 'The Fortunes of War' where a large, complex effort is committed and Murphy's Law takes over. Sometimes you wipe your brow at the prospect of what could have happened, but didn't, thank goodness.

It's kind of a hindsight thing, people were in one place, not able to see what was going on, with poor communication and influenced by uncontrollables such as weather and tides. Surely there was bum leadership, but also very good examples. And people got needlessly killed whether things went well or badly. That's war.

I don't presume to tell you anything, especially since you have been there. but I think it needed a little fleshing out rather than just a general comment. The bottom line is that war is a waste of lives.

 

[bummer]

I had the honor of standing on the "Johnny Frost" bridge in Arnhem in 1985. I wish I had taken more time to explore the grounds that my father and uncles by lineage and relations fought over in 44/45. They are all gone now but they are not forgotten.

 

[the ringo kid]

The book has good pics of the men depicted in the film, too. But Urquhart didn't really look a lot like Sir Sean Connery, and I haven't seen a photo of the major played by Robt. Redford.

I say to see the movie and also read the book and read that one I mentioned above, by a paratrooper who participated in the battle. They're all good.

The Major was: majorJulian.Last I heard--several years ago--he was still alive--as well as the Sergeant--Sgt.Dohun--who pulled his weapon on the surgeon and threatened to blow his ------ brains out if he didnt operate on his Captain.He lives in Georgia or somewhere--and owns and runs a Hotel/Restaurant.

 

[the ringo kid]

Two of the best scenes ever were when Michael Caine was starting up the road in his tank and the Germans attacked with PAK's (anti-tank guns). Then the Brits returned fire, the sound of the guns being loaded and fired is awesome. The other scene was when they were loading up the C-47's and the C-47's were taking off with the gliders in tow. Don't know how they managed to replicate this in a movie but it was super.

I have several great original movie film cells showing those scenes. I wish I had a way yo post them here but do not.

 

[jrod]

All the way Sir! Airborne !

 

[raljr1]

Thanks for the info in this thread. My wife and I were I. Amsterdam last year when the annual remembrance took place. It was as moving as any thing I've witnessed anywhere. We were in a restaurant and the entire place was absolutely quiet during the ceremony. We had the good fortune to converse with a nice Dutch couple at a table next to us who kindly explained what we had just seen. I have the book on my library shelves and just pulled it down to read as a result of this thread. Thanks again.