See letter received this morning :
8th June 2004
Dear David,
I found this year's trip back to Normandy very moving, particularly the number of younger people that had turned out to see us attempting to march and to remember with us those friends that are no longer on the same plane of existence as we are. I say that because I firmly believe, as I know you do, that there is a higher place where we will be reunited.
I used to be a modeller myself, so I can appreciate the efforts that went in to all the entries on your Overlord2004 campaign. I just wish that I had been able to produce work to such a high standard when I was younger.
I am especially pleased to see a few DUKWs in there, as I used these sometimes to move our tools and equipment from area to area - the sea was less crowded than the roads after the first day's landings were done with. I landed on D+2, and most of the main stuff was gone inland by then,and we were able to get on with clearing the mess up!
Also to see work from so many parts of the world, not just for this 'campaign', makes me realise how small the world now is, and how commmunication has made it so much easier to sort out our problems without recourse to arms.
Thank you to all those that took part, and to all the other modellers in Armorama, as David has allowed me to see other parts of your site as well as 'our' pictures.
I am sorry that Michale is indisposed and could not see the work, perhaps he can do so another time. He blames the food in France, but more likely too much 'vin de table' is to blame.
Yours in friendship
Francis
Hosted by Richard S.
Overlord2004: the conclusion
DaveCox
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 4,307 posts
Armorama: 2,130 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 12:30 AM UTC
Marty
Joined: June 16, 2002
KitMaker: 2,312 posts
Armorama: 1,054 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 12:49 AM UTC
Wow! I am glad we are able to touch so many people through our models. It is especially nice when a veteran such as Francis appreciates what we do.
Dave, do you have any background information on this gentleman? I would like to know more about him and his service during Overlord.
Dave, do you have any background information on this gentleman? I would like to know more about him and his service during Overlord.
DaveCox
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 4,307 posts
Armorama: 2,130 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 12:55 AM UTC
Here are the medals awarded so far.... f I have missed anyone please shout:
ambrose82
Bren
bytepilot
DaveCox
FiveOduece
Gaucho
Graywolf
Hip_Priest
HunterCottage
Jacques
Major_Goose
Merlin
MrMox
PLMP110
PorkChop
rfeehan
Sabot
ShermiesRule
shonen_red
TUNA
winchweight
Thank you to all those that participated.
ambrose82
Bren
bytepilot
DaveCox
FiveOduece
Gaucho
Graywolf
Hip_Priest
HunterCottage
Jacques
Major_Goose
Merlin
MrMox
PLMP110
PorkChop
rfeehan
Sabot
ShermiesRule
shonen_red
TUNA
winchweight
Thank you to all those that participated.
DaveCox
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 4,307 posts
Armorama: 2,130 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 01:03 AM UTC
Marty,
Frank (Francis) was a specialist Royal Engineer attached to the beaching parties and charged with clearing unexploded ordnance, including some of Rommel's booby traps. He landed on D+2, not D+1 as I originally thought.
From Normandy he performed similar duties until returning to the UK early in 1945 to serve as an instructor. What he did day to day I don't know much about. It's not a subject he speaks of much unless directly asked, like so many veterans his main thoughts are about the friends that didn't come home. Certainly I wouldn't say his job was any less dangerous than facing the Germans face to face! He told me once that he didn't drink or smoke until he started learning about explosives, fuses and detonators!!
Frank (Francis) was a specialist Royal Engineer attached to the beaching parties and charged with clearing unexploded ordnance, including some of Rommel's booby traps. He landed on D+2, not D+1 as I originally thought.
From Normandy he performed similar duties until returning to the UK early in 1945 to serve as an instructor. What he did day to day I don't know much about. It's not a subject he speaks of much unless directly asked, like so many veterans his main thoughts are about the friends that didn't come home. Certainly I wouldn't say his job was any less dangerous than facing the Germans face to face! He told me once that he didn't drink or smoke until he started learning about explosives, fuses and detonators!!
ShermiesRule
Joined: December 11, 2003
KitMaker: 5,409 posts
Armorama: 3,777 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 03:06 PM UTC
I was hoping for more entries in this campaign. Just like Bloody Omaha, casualties were high!
Major_Goose
Joined: September 30, 2003
KitMaker: 6,871 posts
Armorama: 2,071 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 04:56 PM UTC
Hmmm i Think that Frank; letter is a thing that at least dereved the Campaign efford. I wished also that there were many more entries in this Campaign, but i also think that these that made it are very good. Thanks To Dave for Orginising this so good and being fast in everything, even the medal awarding !!!!!
Was very pleased to participate and also that Frank..kinda "used" my DUKW ..virtually .
Thanks a lot
Costas
Was very pleased to participate and also that Frank..kinda "used" my DUKW ..virtually .
Thanks a lot
Costas
DaveCox
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 4,307 posts
Armorama: 2,130 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 06:37 PM UTC
The actual 'fall-out' on this campaign was roughly 40%, which is quite a satisfactory result considering that the majority of us have jobs and/or families to consider, and there are a number of other campaigns running at the same time. The majority of those not finishing have contacted me, either during the build period or after the finish, with the reasons for non-completion and most have valid reasons.
I'm happy with the number of completed entries, and extremely pleased by the quality of the models displayed in the gallery.
I'm happy with the number of completed entries, and extremely pleased by the quality of the models displayed in the gallery.
Marty
Joined: June 16, 2002
KitMaker: 2,312 posts
Armorama: 1,054 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 01:07 AM UTC
Dave,
Thanks for the expanded info on Frank. I absolutely do not feel that because he landed on D+2 his role was any less important. Some of the Rommel's booby traps were pretty nasty, I am sure. I am glad he was there to clean them all up.
Thanks for the expanded info on Frank. I absolutely do not feel that because he landed on D+2 his role was any less important. Some of the Rommel's booby traps were pretty nasty, I am sure. I am glad he was there to clean them all up.
Merlin
Senior Editor
#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
Armorama: 903 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 09:05 AM UTC
Hi there
It's great to hear that Frank enjoyed look at the pics - I hope we showed our appreciation to all the veterans in our own small way.
I have to say I think 20+ finishers is pretty fine, and this is in no small part down to the fine job Dave has done as Campaign Manager - always there to help and encourage. Nice one Dave!
All the best
Rowan
It's great to hear that Frank enjoyed look at the pics - I hope we showed our appreciation to all the veterans in our own small way.
I have to say I think 20+ finishers is pretty fine, and this is in no small part down to the fine job Dave has done as Campaign Manager - always there to help and encourage. Nice one Dave!
All the best
Rowan
DaveCox
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 4,307 posts
Armorama: 2,130 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 09:23 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I have to say I think 20+ finishers is pretty fine, and this is in no small part down to the fine job Dave has done as Campaign Manager - always there to help and encourage. Nice one Dave!
All the best
Rowan
Thanks Rowan,
I can't claim all the credit for the campaign. I based the rules, and the manner in which I managed my first campaign as leader, on the excellent examples already on this site. Particularly the 'Remember Market Garden' campaign which offered a brilliant example to work from.
Having participants that kept me updated, and replied promptly when occassionally 'booted' helped as well.
FiveOduece
Joined: March 05, 2004
KitMaker: 159 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 12:21 PM UTC
Dave,
It was an honor to participate in the Overlord Campain 2004, and to see that an Overlord veteran wasglad to see that the younger generations have not and will not forget the sacrifices made in WWII. I enjoyed this campaign, and have enlisted in 2 more. Thank you for this.
Brent
It was an honor to participate in the Overlord Campain 2004, and to see that an Overlord veteran wasglad to see that the younger generations have not and will not forget the sacrifices made in WWII. I enjoyed this campaign, and have enlisted in 2 more. Thank you for this.
Brent
TreadHead
Joined: January 12, 2002
KitMaker: 5,000 posts
Armorama: 2,868 posts
Posted: Monday, June 14, 2004 - 01:52 AM UTC
Quoted Text
"...Here are the medals awarded so far.... f I have missed anyone please shout:..."
Me!
I'm done, (even though I couldn't have made it harder on myself) I just need to find a camera! My 'construction' camera I was using got crushed and is unusable.
I finished my D-Day Sherm right on the 6th, so I hope that counts. Actually to be honest, I have added a few 'details' since, so I hope it still qualifies for inclusion with all of the superb entries in this most honourable of Campaigns!!
Please wait.
{I'm hoping to get an 'early' Father's Day present, that is if I whine a tad more......
here's hoping you have pity on a poor old coger...
Tread.
greatbrit
Joined: May 14, 2003
KitMaker: 2,127 posts
Armorama: 1,217 posts
Posted: Monday, June 14, 2004 - 02:01 AM UTC
its good to see so many finished, and the entries in the gallery look great.
although i missed the deadline due to personal problems(bloody women) i will still complete my intended project, so expect pictures soon!
cheers
joe
although i missed the deadline due to personal problems(bloody women) i will still complete my intended project, so expect pictures soon!
cheers
joe
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Monday, June 14, 2004 - 02:05 AM UTC
I thought for sure that this campaign would have the greatest amount of completions. It was a lot of fun and allowed me to build a vessel (LCM 3) as well as a tank.
Looks like my Barbarossa campaign still holds the awards record for completion. Perhaps the artillery or softskin builds will top it.
Great job, the letter from the veterans is just icing on the cake.
Looks like my Barbarossa campaign still holds the awards record for completion. Perhaps the artillery or softskin builds will top it.
Great job, the letter from the veterans is just icing on the cake.
DaveCox
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 4,307 posts
Armorama: 2,130 posts
Posted: Monday, June 14, 2004 - 04:34 AM UTC
Thanks again guys. Tread - I accept that your construction was finished in time going by previous advice that you sent.
I was trying for my father's day pressie early - another Italeri C15 - but luckily a commission has just come in to fill the gap a little.
I was trying for my father's day pressie early - another Italeri C15 - but luckily a commission has just come in to fill the gap a little.
PorkChop
Joined: September 11, 2002
KitMaker: 3,179 posts
Armorama: 1 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 11:29 AM UTC
Dave:
Just an observation, and I may have missed this in the regs, there's not a single German subject among the entries...
Just an observation, and I may have missed this in the regs, there's not a single German subject among the entries...
TreadHead
Joined: January 12, 2002
KitMaker: 5,000 posts
Armorama: 2,868 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 12:13 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Dave:
Just an observation, and I may have missed this in the regs, there's not a single German subject among the entries...
Howdy Nate,
If I'm not mistaken (a distinct possibility), the original rules were all Allied vehicles. This in honour of all the men who fell on the U.S. side of the beach.
Hopefully someone will straighten us both out.
Tread.
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 01:41 PM UTC
Yes, it was buried in rule #1: 
Quoted Text
The Rules and Regs
1) All entries must be of any Allied vehicle, figure, ship or aircraft used in the Normandy invasion; and must represent an actual unit present on D-day to D 3. These dates have been chosen to allow the inclusion of Free French, Canadian, Polish and other Allied & Commonwealth forces.
PorkChop
Joined: September 11, 2002
KitMaker: 3,179 posts
Armorama: 1 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 02:41 PM UTC
LOL, reading comprehnsion is overrated.
Neill
Joined: May 26, 2003
KitMaker: 1,255 posts
Armorama: 485 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 03:50 PM UTC
Quoted Text
its good to see so many finished, and the entries in the gallery look great.
Bravo to all you Excellent work...
My apologies for not completing my entry in time.. as with the Colonel some of that personal life stuff took over. But am nearly done and will post it anyway once completed. I have a local VFW group I am donating it to and it will be aucitoned off in a fundraiser to send "Stuff for the Troops in Iraq". A great bunch of WWII Vets who are still serving....
John
DaveCox
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 4,307 posts
Armorama: 2,130 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 05:59 PM UTC
[quote I have a local VFW group I am donating it to and it will be aucitoned off in a fundraiser to send "Stuff for the Troops in Iraq". A great bunch of WWII Vets who are still serving....
John
[/quote]
It'll be going to a good home then. Look forward to seeing it!
John
[/quote]
It'll be going to a good home then. Look forward to seeing it!
Hip_Priest
Joined: March 28, 2003
KitMaker: 142 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 11:56 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextDave:
Just an observation, and I may have missed this in the regs, there's not a single German subject among the entries...
Howdy Nate,
If I'm not mistaken (a distinct possibility), the original rules were all Allied vehicles. This in honour of all the men who fell on the U.S. side of the beach.
Hopefully someone will straighten us both out.
Tread.
I take it the 'U.S.' side of the beach should read 'Allied' side of the beach?
TreadHead
Joined: January 12, 2002
KitMaker: 5,000 posts
Armorama: 2,868 posts
Posted: Friday, June 18, 2004 - 01:21 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextQuoted TextDave:
Just an observation, and I may have missed this in the regs, there's not a single German subject among the entries...
Howdy Nate,
If I'm not mistaken (a distinct possibility), the original rules were all Allied vehicles. This in honour of all the men who fell on the U.S. side of the beach.
Hopefully someone will straighten us both out.
Tread.
I take it the 'U.S.' side of the beach should read 'Allied' side of the beach?
Point taken.........and embraced.
Tread.
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Friday, June 18, 2004 - 02:15 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I bet we could convince Dave to award the ribbon to you once you complete your kit. I know I still have the ability to award ribbons for the Barbarossa build that ended last winter.Quoted Textits good to see so many finished, and the entries in the gallery look great.
Bravo to all you Excellent work...
My apologies for not completing my entry in time.. as with the Colonel some of that personal life stuff took over. But am nearly done and will post it anyway once completed. I have a local VFW group I am donating it to and it will be aucitoned off in a fundraiser to send "Stuff for the Troops in Iraq". A great bunch of WWII Vets who are still serving....
John
DaveCox
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 4,307 posts
Armorama: 2,130 posts
Posted: Friday, June 18, 2004 - 02:49 AM UTC
[quote But am nearly done and will post it anyway once completed. I have a local VFW group I am donating it to and it will be aucitoned off in a fundraiser to send "Stuff for the Troops in Iraq". A great bunch of WWII Vets who are still serving....
John[/quote]I bet we could convince Dave to award the ribbon to you once you complete your kit.[/quote]
As tje model is going to be auctioned for vets funds, I wouldn't take much persuading........
John[/quote]I bet we could convince Dave to award the ribbon to you once you complete your kit.[/quote]
As tje model is going to be auctioned for vets funds, I wouldn't take much persuading........
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