Arromanches 360' cinema

[berna2vm]

Just returned from a holiday in Normandy. We had a generally pleasant time. We visited the Arromanches 360 degree cinema. We were working from west to east and had previously visited St Mere Eglise, Utah beach, Point du Hoc and Omaha beach to name but a few. I could understand why these museums were exclusively American, because these were American landing areas. We visited the cinema and when it was only half way through the performance I felt saddened and somewhat angry. To the uneducated amongst us brought up on Hollywood's version of world war 2 (which is not much different from the average American's) the 'movie' would be fine, showing the US army liberating France side by side with the Free French. Maybe my great uncle was lying about his part in the Overlord campaign because we along with the other commonwealth forces deserved barely a mention. The other half enjoyed it because it was entertainment, but it was no more than this. I hope nobody thinks that I am anti-American, which I certainly am not but I am aggrieved that us Brits don't seem to get anything like the same recognition or adolation as the Yanks. Maybe they should have launched Overlord from Baltimore, maybe they did lol.....

[private mw]

normandy great place and i shall return . agree a little about your other comments but we know what we did !

[GeePig]

Living in Poland I have received some ear bashing about how Poland's contributions have not (apparently) been sung highly enough, it's all what Britain and America did. I would imagine that wherever one goes, there will be someone disappointed, but it can be a shock to meet such different viewpoints.

[eddy8men]

i often wonder what the british veterans think when they go to shows and see so many guys dressed as americans and few if any in british kit.

[Enigma]

Living in Poland I have received some ear bashing about how Poland's contributions have not (apparently) been sung highly enough, it's all what Britain and America did. I would imagine that wherever one goes, there will be someone disappointed, but it can be a shock to meet such different viewpoints.

 

The Dutch government bestowed (after 65 years) our highest bravery award on the Polish Para's who fought during the Battle of Arnhem.

[GoranWC51]

I agree that the way WW2 is portrayed can be lopsided.

 

I saw a french documentary a number of years back on the Normandy invasion. If that story was true the landings were carried out by 90% french troops, intermingled with a few french speaking Americans, Canadians, and a few British (if I remember correctly). It was so biased that I had to laugh, but sat wondering how french school children watching the documentary reacted.... "Hey, that's sweet - we actually liberated ourselves from the Nazis..."

 

The Italian campaign has also been largely forgotten in books and documentaries. A very diverse group of soldiers from a large number of countries fought there: British, South African, Brazilian, Indian, Australian, Polish, New Zealand, and several more.

 

Goran N

[Tony B]

i often wonder what the british veterans think when they go to shows and see so many guys dressed as americans and few if any in british kit.

 

The last time I was in Normandy I spoke to one British Vetran, he stated very strongly he preffered France, he felt much more welcome and valued there than he did in UK. Amongst other things, have any people actually thought of visiting the British and Commonwealth landing beaches?

[Enigma]

The last time I was in Normandy I spoke to one British Vetran, he stated very strongly he preffered France, he felt much more welcome and valued there than he did in UK. Amongst other things, have any people actually thought of visiting the British and Commonwealth landing beaches?

 

here in the Netherlands we wellcome the veterans very much.

I also visited the brit/Canadian sites in Normandy, not just the US ones.

[berna2vm]

i often wonder what the british veterans think when they go to shows and see so many guys dressed as americans and few if any in british kit.

 

Couldn't agree more Rick. I think it is a strange phenomenon that everybody always dresses up as GI's. I just felt really hurt at the cinema and the results speak louder than a propaganda film. Our Mulberry lasted !!!

[berna2vm]

The last time I was in Normandy I spoke to one British Vetran, he stated very strongly he preffered France, he felt much more welcome and valued there than he did in UK. Amongst other things, have any people actually thought of visiting the British and Commonwealth landing beaches?

 

Most certainly did visit the British and Commonwealth landing beaches. I also visited the graves it brings it all home when you see how many there is from all arms of the services. The German graves seemed very sad somehow and I must admit that I welled up in every grave I visited,Allied or enemy. Even the wife commented that none of the combatants wanted to be there they were all regular guys whatever uniform they wore, someone's son, brother husband , father.

[No Signals]

My own take on the French attitude, based on personal observation over many years, is that some communities and individuals acknowledge and honour the part played by all the other Allied nations as well as the Yanks, and to an equal level. And everywhere an actual British veteran visits they will be greeted and welcomed without fail. But there is an element within the wider society in general that does not acknowledge the British contribution, much of which can be put down to our past national differences and in particular, for some, the welcomed anti-British stance of De Gaulle. Indeed it is fair to say that sections of French society are as anti-British as some sections of British society are anti-French , and just as vocal about it! :-) I see this reflected clearly among a section of the French MV owners who for the most part have no time for anything other than US stuff. I can't be the only one who has come across it - not them all, but enough to be obvious. But let's face it, a Nation (appointed command) that withdrew the actual Free French forces that did any front line fighting of any substance and replaced them with other troops for the liberation parade through Paris just because of an issue of race/colour can hardly be expected to toast the troops of their 'traditional' enemy could they?