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Old computer bats

Post 1

Frank Mee Researcher 241911

Hello Peter,
Catching up on some of the old mails I saw a thread were you are in full flow with a young researcher who has strange ideas about Churchill.
Further down there were comments on "Band of Brothers" I got the full box of discs for Christmas from my daughters and do watch it purely as a good story and certainly not official history. It is enjoyable if watched in that mode otherwise you would tear your hair out at the many inaccuracy's.
I have read books or passages about the American Airborne Infantry the last one was called "Currahee" an airborne soldier. It trod the same path as the band of brothers story but LT-Cap-Major Winters was not mentioned once. The Auther certainly did not like the British, Montgomery, Patton or his claim to have rescued the 101 Airborne at Bastogne.
History it seems is written as seen by individuals a good while after the event and accuracy in the eye of the beholder. That is why I always read digest then wait, it will change at some time in the future as reseachers get their noses into it.
I also noticed the young man was surprised at us old bats being able to research, use a computer, remember anything at all in our dotage. I noticed you duly clipped his ear in a kindly way.
keep the pen moving Peter,
Regards Frank.


Old computer bats

Post 2

PeterG


Hi Frank

Always good to hear from you.

If you have an hour or so to spare wade through this A2335394 and the thread that followed, it is another similar saga.

For the way events are written up, read "Decision in Normandy" by Carlo D'Este. It's quite an eye opener.

Peter


Old computer bats

Post 3

Frank Mee Researcher 241911

Hi Peter,
Read thread, digested and am still wondering. Two people looking at the same event and coming to vastly different conclusions. Having just read another book about those events and times (Like you among the many opened and in the process of being read) I come down on your side.
The whole of the BEF were green. Saying that a lot of them were local TA and they had up to date Drill Halls and trained in some cases for up to two years before war broke out. We as kids saw them as they route marched drilled and did their manoeuvres so I would say that although not highly trained they were reasonably trained. They had six months in France before the big pusch where more training took place. That would be why when they did meet the Germans at some of those last stand places they gave the Germans a bloody nose. The British tanks at Arras, the DLI's fighting retreat, not a rout and many other units who fought overwhelming odds and stopped the Germans in their tracks on more than one occasion. It is so easy for people to look at history as written and come to conclusions, Singapore stands out in my mind where I got it really wrong at the time. I have learned since not to jump to conclusions based on the facts given out. You must delve into it and find the people who took part as is happening on this site thank goodness.
I will watch those threads with interest but keep out while you are doing such a grand job, call me your reserve ready to move up when wanted.
Regarda Frank.


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