This is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwxLqhj8ShY
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Watched the whole video. Outstanding. Reminded me of having lunch at McDonalds with my friend of forty years who served with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy. He became the oldest living Army ROTC graduate from the University of Oregon. His division landed in Italy in January 1945 and he was the only one of 8 officers in his company to make it all the way to May when the Germans surrendered. He earned two silver stars.
The Brits called the Italy invasion force “D-Day Dodgers”. There was a song about them, to the tune of Lili Marlene.
We’re the D-Day Dodgers out in Italy
Always on the vino, always on the spree.
Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks
We live in Rome – among the Yanks.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy.
We landed at Salerno, a holiday with pay,
Jerry brought the band down to cheer us on our way
Showed us the sights and gave us tea,
We all sang songs, the beer was free.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, way out in Italy.[2]
The Volturno and Cassino were taken in our stride.[3]
We didn’t have to fight there. We just went for the ride.
Anzio and Sangro were all forlorn.
We did not do a thing from dusk to dawn.[4]
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy.
On our way to Florence we had a lovely time.
We ran a bus to Rimini right through the Gothic Line.
On to Bologna we did go.
Then we went bathing in the Po.
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy.
Once we had a blue light that we were going home
Back to dear old Blighty, never more to roam.
Then somebody said in France you’ll fight.
We said never mind, we’ll just sit tight,
The windy D-Day Dodgers, out in Sunny Italy.
Now Lady Astor, get a load of this.
Don’t stand up on a platform and talk a load of piss.
You’re the nation’s sweetheart, the nation’s pride
We think your mouth’s too bloody wide.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, in Sunny Italy.
When you look ‘round the mountains, through the mud and rain
You’ll find the crosses, some which bear no name.
Heartbreak, and toil and suffering gone
The boys beneath them slumber on
They were the D-Day Dodgers, who’ll stay in Italy.[5]
So listen all you people, over land and foam
Even though we’ve parted, our hearts are close to home.
When we return we hope you’ll say
“You did your little bit, though far away
All of the D-Day Dodgers, way out there in Italy.”
Fantastic post and thread! Thanks you!
Good stuff from an almost forgotten theater of WW2. Some of the most brutal fighting of the ETO was in Italy. Monte Cassino, Anzio, etc.