Tag: D-Day

WWII "Drifting" Mine!

WWII: D-Day 81st Anniversary [1944-2025] – Remembering Arthur Gibson and the HMS Beaumaris Castle (FY 992) – of the “Royal Navy Patrol Service” [RNPS] ! (5.6.2025)

A “moored” mine (or “Naval” mine) is a single mine anchored to the seabed by a length of metal chain or rope – operating at a depth decided by the length of mooring tether. These mines were deadly as they often hid below the waterline and the line of sight – waiting for the hull of a ship to strike it in passing. A “drifting” sea mine was a device (sometimes “magnetic” but also “non-magnetic” or “contact” detonated) that floated about on the surface of the sea according to the tide. These mines could travel hundreds of miles and bob and weave their way up estuaries and into harbours. From what I gather according to the stories I was told, it was these “drifting” mines my grandfather was responsible for destroying. Obviously, a “U-Boat” was a Nazi German “Unterseeboot” or “Under Water Boat” – whilst an E-Boat referred to a Nazi German fast-attack “Enemy Boat” – usually carrying torpedoes. 

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Alfred Wyles Medals WWII

UK: D-Day 81st Anniversary {6.6.1944-6.6.2025] – Remembering Private Alfred Wyles! (5.6.2025)

The infantry would assault the area from the periphery – and the Glider Troops would protect the centre (as if they had just dropped from the sky). As combat can be fluid and all kinds of emergencies can occur – Glider Troops would also train to assault the area from the periphery – and Infantry would defend the area from the centre. The reality on the ground might involve any contingency being used with flexibility being the key. I am told that this might explain how my grandfather came to possess an Airborne badge. When we were first researching this subject, die to the presence of this badge, we first thought Alfred Wyles had landed at Caen in a wooden Glider (this was in fact “D Company” of the 2nd Battalion [Professional] Ox & Bucks – but were later informed that in all likelihood (there is till a niggling doubt) my grandfather landed on Sword Beach as part of the supporting-infantry. Whatever the case, his official War Record is vague on this point.

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The Red Flag Flies Over Red Square!

Russia: May 9th “Victory Over Fascism” – 80th [1945-2025] Commemoration! (9.5.2025)

From 1942-1945 he fought everyday in the North Atlantic. Recently, the “Russian Arctic Convoy Museum” – voted to remove the word “Russian” from its title – can you believe that? I stood with Veterans of these fine and brave men at the Soviet War Memorial in the grounds of the Imperial War Museum – and everyone of them had a positive viewpoint of the USSR and Russia. Like my grandfather (Arthur Gibson) these brave men were not permitted to march at the London Cenotaph (primarily by the Royal British Legion) due to their association with the Soviet Union. Ironically, the Soviet War Memorial was unveiled in 1999 – when “New” Labour was still pretending to be “left-wing”! Finally, all those loyal British military Veterans who had fought alongside our Soviet allies during WWII – were permitted a spot where they could finally parade and carry their flags with honour and dignity!

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Ten German Bombers - 2024

Berlin: Germany Declared “New Victim” of WWII! (16.6.2024)

German police will ‘intervene’ should England football fans chant ‘10 German Bombers’ at the Euros this summer, LBC has been told.

It comes ahead of the start of the tournament in Germany with heightened security in place for England’s opening group stage match against Serbia on Sunday.

Officials have claimed the game is a ‘high risk’ tie, having noted that that there is a chance 500 “hooligan fans” could try to cause chaos in and around the stadium in Gelsenkirchen.

LBC has been told UK officers will be stationed in the German city to assist authorities in the security operation.

Police have also warned England fans about the singing of a controversial chant which mocks German casualties during World War Two.

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Winged Pegasus - 1944

80th D-Day Commemoration – Remembering the British & Soviet Sacrifice! (6.6.2024)

Specifically, the troops of the 1st Buckinghamshire (Light Bobs) Battalion of the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry (Territorials) – my grandfather’s Unit (he was part of an Anti-Tank Platoon) – intended to relieve D Company (Glider Troops) of the 2nd Battalion of the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry (Professional). My grandfather at one-point was barracked in Bovey Tracy in Devon – whilst his Unit trained around the Exeter Canal System – due to this place possessing a similar structure to that of the Canal System of Caen. This could have been to familiarise the “Light Bobs” with the Caen area they were supposed to advance toward from Sword Beach. This could have been my grandfather’s route into France – but I possess his shoulder badge – which is a Winged Pegasus (worn by Glider Troops). Whatever the case, his Unit was wiped-out and he fought on in the hedge-rows of France – fighting Vichy French and Nazi Germans.

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Veteran Star Medal: Alfred Gregory Wyles – WWII British Army Service [1940-1946]! (4.11.2023)

Although he joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment – famous for its ‘Last Stand’ at Dunkirk – due to his ‘sharp-shooting’ ability he was soon transferred to the 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion (the ‘Light Bobs’) of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Territorial Army) where he was placed in an Anti-Tank Platoon. During D-Day, the ‘Light Bobs’ landed in the first-waves of Allied troops that hit ‘Sword Beach’. His Unit was tasked with fighting their way in-land ten-miles to Caen – where it was to relieve D Company of the Ox & Bucks Ligyt Infantry (Professional) – which had landed as ‘Glider Troops’ around midnight of June 6th, 1944. Due to these required military objectives – my grandfather trained with the Glider Troops around the Exeter Canal System – which resembled the canal system around Caen. Indeed, this association has sometimes ‘confused’ exactly what function my grandfather fulfilled due to him possessing a ‘Winged Pegasus’ badge!

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