Invasion of Normandy 1944.

[Dartskipper]

I watched again tonight the episode in that classic series "The World at War" that covered D - Day. Lots of newsreel and film of the invasion, the Mulberries, and a little bit of the liberation of Cherbourg was included.
My late Dad always looked out for any documentaries of the Invasion in the hope of seeing some film taken by an American correspondent who had been attached to the tanker Empire Traveller. He joined the ship to film her contribution to the effort, as she had been attached to the US Forces, supplying petrol, (gasoline?). Empire Traveller moored in the American Mulberry harbour, and refuelled their small ships as well as pumping fuel ashore. She was one of the ships that dragged anchor in the large storm that did so much damage to both harbours, and Dad watched the correspondent filming everything. Later, Empire Traveller was the first Allied merchant vessel to enter Cherbourg after its liberation, and this was recorded on film too. As Empire Traveller was, by now, pumping fuel ashore for General Patton's tanks, the correspondent went ashore to film the activities at the front line. That was where he lost his life, along with all his film, apparently. So a lot of film of considerable historical interest was never developed, and you have to wonder how much other film and photographic treasure was lost.
Dad was 2nd Mate of the Empire Traveller. She was managed by Eagle Oil, and loaded fuel in Swansea and / or Cardiff to unload in Normandy.

[Harry Nicholson]

Originally Posted by Dartskipper

I watched again tonight the episode in that classic series "The World at War" that covered D - Day. Lots of newsreel and film of the invasion, the Mulberries, and a little bit of the liberation of Cherbourg was included.
My late Dad always looked out for any documentaries of the Invasion in the hope of seeing some film taken by an American correspondent who had been attached to the tanker Empire Traveller. He joined the ship to film her contribution to the effort, as she had been attached to the US Forces, supplying petrol, (gasoline?). Empire Traveller moored in the American Mulberry harbour, and refuelled their small ships as well as pumping fuel ashore. She was one of the ships that dragged anchor in the large storm that did so much damage to both harbours, and Dad watched the correspondent filming everything. Later, Empire Traveller was the first Allied merchant vessel to enter Cherbourg after its liberation, and this was recorded on film too. As Empire Traveller was, by now, pumping fuel ashore for General Patton's tanks, the correspondent went ashore to film the activities at the front line. That was where he lost his life, along with all his film, apparently. So a lot of film of considerable historical interest was never developed, and you have to wonder how much other film and photographic treasure was lost.
Dad was 2nd Mate of the Empire Traveller. She was managed by Eagle Oil, and loaded fuel in Swansea and / or Cardiff to unload in Normandy.

Came across this statement to Parliament by First Lord of Admiralty in 1945; it closes with:

"In conclusion, I would say that at many gatherings, and in many places, not least here, great tributes have been paid to the men who go down to the sea in ships, beside which anything that I may have said here, or may say, would seem very modest. There is something we must do, if there is a desire to pay a lasting tribute to the efforts of those men and women who helped to make it possible for the Navy to do its work, the men and women in the shipyards who built and repaired the ships of the Navy, the crews of the Merchant Navy, those brave, fearless men, who in the days of terror, when the protection for them was not very good, kept the "Red Duster" flying. They sailed the seas, carrying help and succour to our Allies, and bringing to this country the food which probably saved us from capitulation through starvation. We must present to them conditions of life worthy of the services rendered, new social services of a kind never known before, opportunity of employment for those able to work, rehabilitation services for those who need them, and pensions of a more generous character than are envisaged at the moment. Then only will we have proved sincere in the tributes paid to those who have served the nation so well."

For the entire interesting statement see: https://api.parliament.uk/historic-h...estimates-1945