Posted on 09/19/2019 9:50:52 AM PDT by Rummyfan
GROESBEEK, NETHERLANDS 09.18.2019 - Dutch re-enactors, dressed as Soldiers of 82nd Airborne Division during World War II, parachute out of a Douglas C-47 Skytrain to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Market Garden and begin the ceremony to present the Military Order of William to WWII veterans in Groesbeek, the Netherlands, Sept. 18th, 2019. This event is just one of the many events commemorating the largest airborne operation in history, Operation Market Garden, which was aimed at liberating the Netherlands and gaining a foothold into Nazi Germany by crossing the Maas, Waal, and ultimately the Rhine River. To this day, generations of Dutch remember the bravery and sacrifice of more than 41,600 troops from the US, UK, and Poland who together constituted the Allied Airborne Army. Commemorations honoring the Allied soldiers who participated in the historic airborne operation which liberated several Dutch towns take place Sept. 14-22, 2019. Photo by Spc. Ethan Valetski
thanks
Patton was 3rd army at the close of the war. Patch came up from the south in operation dragoon with the 7th.
The Admirals is also a good read. Halsey was lucky not to be court marshaled.
having just finished some extensive reading on the war in the Pacific, I'd say Spruance and Mitscher were the better admirals.
I celebrate Monty often, when I have a martini named for him.
https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/the-martini-guide/
Hemingway said that he favored the 15 parts gin to 1 part vermouth Dry Martini ratio, calling that the Montgomery supposedly, that was the drink Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery favored before going into battle.
15 parts gin to 1 part vermouth
15:1? Why waste the money on vermouth?
Not very dry or sweet. Maybe for the aroma?
Either one but at the end of the war they decided to promote only a limited number of Admirals to 5 star or Fleet admiral. Halsey was promoted owing to his public popularity.
Leahy
King
Nimitz
Halsey
Were the men.
King’s own daughter said he was an extremely even tempered man. He was just angry all the time.
Leahy was a career servant of the United States.
Nimitz was an outstanding engineer, organizer and leader.
Halsey was deserving of his moniker “Bull”. When his own son went missing over the South Pacific he was told, walked to the window, said nothing for a bit and then, still looking out the window said, “Standard search protocol.” His son was found safely. He also flew into a rage when Nimitz signaled “the world wonders” when he asked where he had gone off to with the carriers as Taffy 3 fought against overwhelming odds to protect the Leyte Gulf invasion fleet. He twice sailed into typhoons with great losses. The second time against good advice. He would have been, should have been court martialed if he were not such a hero in the public eye.
Sorry I am slow to post. This young patriot, Andrew Biggio, went to Holland. Here is some from his Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/therifle_/?igshid=uvmukr14roat
Also he is writing a book after having visited with dozens of WWII vets to capture their stories, had them sign a rifle. Several videos at the link. He has taken groups of vets back to Normandy, Italy, and has a trip “Back to the Bulge” coming up.
Why great minds think alike! You’re talking about The Churchill.
http://mentalfloss.com/article/20100/quick-10-10-famous-martini-preferences
2. Winston Churchill. If you order a Churchill Martini, you’ll end up with a glassful of gin. Churchhill famously said the only way to make a martini was with ice-cold gin, and a bow in the direction of France.
another variation
https://themartinidiary.com/2014/09/24/the-churchill-martini/
Fill the martini glass with gin
Glare at an unopened bottle of vermouth
Add an olive
From the first link, I see Churchill and Hitchcock shared the same high opinion of vermouth. :)
Marc Mitscher contributed one of the most important innovations of the Pacific War. He was responsible for developing the Fast Carrier Task Force which became the main offensive weapon of the US Navy.
Mitscher figured out that if you grouped four fast carriers together with their support ships that they could defend themselves with their Combat Air Patrol while sending around 500 planes out after the enemy.
At that point the Navy could move at will with little regard for what Japan chose to do.
The Task Force was numbered 58 or 38 depending upon whether Spruance or Halsey was in charge. Mitscher served with Spruance, McCain with Halsey. Everyone reported to Nimitz.
http://www.taskforce58.org/task-force-58-task-force-38/
There were 7 officers promoted to 5 star rank in December 1944, 3 of them being Admirals.
The date of their promotion determined their seniority. Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Roosevelt favored his own branch.
1. William Leahy, Navy
2. George Marshall, Army
3. Ernest King, Navy
4. Douglas MacArthur, Army
5. Chester Nimitz, Navy
6. Dwight Eisenhower, Army
7. Hap Arnold, Army
William Halsey, Navy, became the 8th a year later, and Omar Bradley was the 9th and last in 1950.
Two American military officers are awarded higher rank than 5 Stars, John Pershing and George Washington.
LOL.
...
Halsey was deserving of his moniker Bull. When his own son went missing over the South Pacific he was told, walked to the window, said nothing for a bit and then, still looking out the window said, Standard search protocol. His son was found safely. He also flew into a rage when Nimitz signaled the world wonders when he asked where he had gone off to with the carriers as Taffy 3 fought against overwhelming odds to protect the Leyte Gulf invasion fleet. He twice sailed into typhoons with great losses. The second time against good advice. He would have been, should have been court martialed if he were not such a hero in the public eye.
His gravest mistake IMHO.
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