D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy in color photographs [74 years ago today]

Chron.com ^ | June 6, 2018 | John Boyd

[littleharbour]

Canadian first wave at Juno Beach. Stepping into hell to take on the devil. The Americans, British and Canadian troops who assaulted those beaches were indescribably brave.

[sargon]

One of the Germans I knew over there was the son of a Kriegsmarine officer. Among his (the son’s) prized possessions were his father’s military memorabilia *and* his letter from the denazification (court? agency? whatever) declaring that the officer had not been a party member and had lost promotion opportunities as a result.

Very interesting. I didn't know that. I thought that Nazi Party membership was de facto mandatory for all German armed forces during that period.

Didn't every German soldier have a swastika on his uniform during WWII, whether a Party member or not?

[ExGeeEye]

Yes, just as all Soviet service members wore the communist red star regardless of membership in CPSU.

Totalitarian regimes are like that.

WRT USSR, a good friend of mine of years gone by, a Christian non-party member, was required to serve in their army. Because of his belief and his refusal to join the party, he and his fellows were assigned to a sort of scut work unit, a step above a penal unit, for the duration of his conscription. I will not say he was required to serve unarmed, but such is my recollection.

[Eagles6]

The son went into the Army too.

Over 30 yrs as a maxio facial surgeon.