D-Day

The D-DAY STORY

that never made the headlines

Respite resident, Leslie Dobinson, recently disclosed to the staff at Crispin Court Care Home, in Stafford, that he is the last surviving British veteran of the D-Day operation regarding the landing on Omaha Beach. Leslie journaled his incredible story in his book, titled, ‘The D-Day Story That Never Made the Headlines: Royal Air Force Personnel Killed on Omaha Beach on D-Day.’

In his own words, this is his story:

The open-ended project that I embarked upon in 2004, to seek to erect a memorial in honour of the signals and radar personnel of the RAF’s second tactical Air Force (2nd TAF) who were killed on the Omaha Beach on D-Day, was instigated following an invitation for me to participate in a ceremony in Vierville-Sur-Mer to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. The next day, during a visit to the Normandy American cemetery, it was clear that none of the senior military and political leaders I met were aware of the debt they owed to the RAF in defending American troops against an air attack on Omaha Beach on D-Day and subsequently through the Battle of Normandy. Some people will be familiar with the fact that a total of 10,386 military crosses were awarded during the whole of World War II. A few people will know that of these; just 69 were awarded to the Royal Air Force officers. But just a privileged few are aware that four of those 69 military crosses together with two military medals and the Croix de Guerre were awarded for the bravery of our chaplain, our Medical Officer, the Commanding Officer, the Chief Technical Officer and others of the 140 or thereabouts radio/radar technicians of the RAF who were serving in the RAF radio radar unit that disembarked from tank landing crafts onto Omaha Beach on D-Day at 17:00 hours together with their 27 specialised vehicles that were fitted with radar and radio communications equipment.

They were met with heavy fire from German 88 mm artillery and heavy machine guns, and mortar

...It was clear that none of the senior military and political leaders I met were aware of the debt they owed to the RAF in defending American troops against an air attack on Omaha Beach on D-Day and subsequently through the Battle of Normandy.

fire. From then on, for many hours, our medical Officer and chaplain, both wounded, continually toured the beach under fire to bring aid and comfort to be American wounded and the last rights to those nearing death. This RAF unit is identified as 15082GCI (ground-controlled interception unit). Its function was to protect the American beachhead and the American troops from Air Attack by using its radar equipment to locate the position and altitude of enemy aircraft and by means of direct radio contact to direct RAF fighter aircraft to intercept and engage them.

This was a facility that the US military was unable to provide for their assets at the time. An attempt to land a non-combatant unit at its planned 11:30 hours was aborted for lack of space on the beach. The damage to the RAF vehicles during the landing was such that only 6 of the 27 that disembarked were sufficiently serviceable to be driven off the beach when, many hours later, an exit had been cleared by a bulldozer that, still under fire, had managed to negotiate a passage between the hundreds of dead and wounded American troops and damaged vehicles. The brave RAF technicians of this mobile radar unit and its supporting mobile signals units, having themselves sustained 47 casualties including 1 Officer and nine other ranks killed and one missing, spent the night, still under fire, attending to their casualties as well as many of the wounded GI’s, and in burying their dead comrades on the beach. Having also survived a bombing raid by Junker 88’s during the night with the approach of dawn, attempts were made to salvage damaged equipment from the beach and the sea, sufficient for the unit to become operational on D-Day + 2 from a temporary site hastily chosen by the US General Timberlake, the planned designated site being still in enemy’s hands.

THE BATTLE of the BINGE

Whilst we are enjoying a little more normality, the last year has encouraged us to spend more time at home and some strong viewing material helps in that department. We have rounded up our top picks of the best TV shows of 2021 to help you forget the craziness of the last 15 months and remind you of simpler times. So, if you are in the mood for drama, laughs or something to keep you on the edge of your seat, we’ve got you covered.

1. Too Close

Starring:

Denise Gough, Emily Watson, Thalissa Teixeira, James Sives

Emily Watson plays forensic psychiatrist, Emma Robertson, tasked with assessing a high-profile patient in this psychological drama. Criminal suspect Connie’s insightful yet manipulative nature results in a complex relationship between the two female leads. By highlighting Emma’s internal insecurities, Connie starts to exploit them and as a result, their sessions become a multifaceted psychological game with perplexing undercurrents. Line of Duty’s Anna Maxwell Martin stars in a new ITV drama hitting our screens this year. This edge-of-yourseat domestic thriller focuses on two sisters, Theresa and Helen, whose lives are thrown upside down after they suspect their children have something to do with the disappearance of their neighbour’s young son. When they don’t return home on time, Theresa goes out to search for them, her suspicions that something terrible has happened only heightens when she finds them at the edge of a woodland area fighting. Then later that evening distraught neighbour, Jean, calls on the family. Her ten-year-old son Alex has gone missing…

2. Hollington Drive

Starring: Anna

Maxwell Martin, Rachael Stirling, Rhashan Stone, Peter McDonald

5

3. Lisey’s Story

Starring: Julianne Moore, Clive Owen,

Joan Allen

With every episode personally penned by Stephen King, this psychological horror features an all-star cast and follows the story of Lisey Landon, two years after the death of her husband, the widely successful novelist, Scott Landon. A series of unsettling events forces Lisey to face memories of her marriage to Scott that she deliberately blocked.

4. Physical

Starring: Rose Byrne, Geoffrey Arend,

Paul Sparks, Ashley Liao

Physical centres around Sheila Rubin, a seemingly dutiful, though quietly tortured housewife living within the idyllic yet fragile beach paradise of 1980’s San Diego. Publicly, Sheila supports her smart but controversial husband, as he makes a bid for state assembly. But behind closed doors, she has her own dark comedic take on life that she rarely lets the world see. The series tracks her transformation from a stifled, overlooked enabler to a confident and powerful lifestyle guru—someone we take for granted today, that was entirely radical in her time.

5. Vigil

Starring: Suranne Jones, Adam James, Martin

Compston, Lolita Chakrabarti, Orla Russell

From the makers of Line of Duty, Vigil unravels a dark conspiracy that goes right to the heart of Britain’s national security. Starring Suranne Jones and Martin Compston, this suspense-thriller kicks off with a suspicious death aboard the submarine HMS Vigil and the mysterious disappearance of a fishing trawler, set against the backdrop of Scotland’s nuclear deterrent.

M: 07393 765864

W: www.halsall.co.uk

E: adam.davies@halsall.co.uk

TRUSTWORTHY, INNOVATIVE, FAMILY-OWNED CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Halsall is an established South West construction and development business with over 40 years of experience delivering quality projects in the care and retirement living sector As an approachable and dynamic construction partner,

WE ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING STRONG COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND PRODUCING TOP QUALITY, AWARD WINNING PROJECTS.

Our focus on customer satisfaction throughout the lifecycle of a project, ensures customers trust us to deliver time and time again.

We have had repeat business within the care and retirement living sector due to our strong, long lasting reputation and relationship with our valued customers.

The care homes we have constructed don’t feel like care homes. They provide a luxury and high level environment. The design and layouts are created to ensure that the residents still feel like they retain an element of independence within a controlled environment.

WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR FLEXIBLE AND COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO BUSINESS.

Halsall Construction is a regional contractor trusted to deliver high quality construction solutions.