France Ban Brit Veterans From D-Day Beaches

Sunday_Mirror.co.uk ^

[jempet]

BRITISH war veterans are to be banned from this year's Normandy D-Day landings 60th anniversary tribute - because the French claim they could damage the beaches.

Elderly ex-soldiers have been told numbers are going to be limited because of "health and safety issues", including possible harm to the environment and problems with disabled access and public toilets. The snub has enraged up to 3,000 veterans preparing to make the emotional trip to the beaches where they fought the Germans to help liberate France in 1944.

Tory home security spokesman Patrick Mercer, a former army colonel, said: "It's a good job that the French didn't restrict which beaches our men could go on in 1944 because if they had then the French would still be under Nazi rule." Mr Mercer, whose father fought in World War II, added: "If our boys had been worried about such things as health and safety during D-Day, then France would never have been liberated. Some recognition of this from the French would be nice."

Veterans have been further angered by the insistence that they are only allowed access to the beaches if they wear security passes and photo ID cards. Survivors without a badge will be denied entry to events, the beaches they liberated and even a British march-past due to be attended by the Queen.

Now officials from the Ministry of Defence have begun their own war of words in a desperate attempt to get the French to change their minds.

Last night a senior MoD insider said: "The French have gone too far and this will be made clear to them. Many veterans are becoming distressed. To be treated like this on the very beaches they liberated is insulting."

Veterans from across Britain have spent months preparing for the emotional pilgrimage to the beaches. Because of their age, for many the trip to Northern France could be the last time they stand on the former battlefields to remember fallen comrades.

They will find out this week how the French have limited numbers and how many places are available.

The event is also dogged by fears of a possible terrorist strike, as the commemorations will be attended by Tony Blair, French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

The source said: "The French are asking for frail and elderly veterans to sort out individual security passes for themselves - that is enough to put off old soldiers in their droves.

"And the number allowed at some events and areas of the beaches is going to be restricted for what the French describe as health and safety reasons.

"The feeling in the MoD is that what is being asked of these men by the French is too much and they should be shown a great deal more respect."

Last night an MoD spokesman said there would be discussions with the French to address the issue of security passes and other restrictions. The talks will will take place in the city of Caen - which was bombed flat by the British as they advanced in 1944.

Joe Sibun, 84, who landed on Gold Beach in Normandy on D-Day, said: "I think it is just a case of somebody sitting in an office in France who has decided to be bloody awkward.

"I do not see any good reason for this kind of red tape."

[Brytani]

A blonde bought a new Lexus LS400, and returned the next day,
complaining that she couldn't figure out how the radio worked.

The salesman explained that the radio was voice activated.
"Watch this" he said. "Nelson!" The radio replied, "Ricky or Willie?"
"Willie!" he continued, and "On The Road Again" came from the speakers.

The blond drove away happy, and for the next few days, every time
she'd say, "Beethoven," she'd get beautiful classical music, and if she said,
"Beatles" she'd get one of their awesome songs.

One day, a couple ran a red light and nearly creamed her new
car, but she swerved in time to avoid them. "A$$HOLES!" she yelled.

The French National Anthem began to play, sung by the Dixie Chicks.

[SAMWolf]

The french Army 1940



Sword Beach, June 6th, 1944
the french didn't seem to mind the Brits on "their" beach back then.

[snippy_about_it]

Good posts you two! F the french.

[SAMWolf]

Poland was beaten but never conquered. The city of Warsaw held out longer in 1944 that the entire country of france did in 1940.

france rolled over an collaborated with the Nazi's until someone else came and liberated them.

[hershey]

France is behaving like, well,...France. It's just one insult after another. Why in the world should anyone be surprised?

[snippy_about_it]

It is sad that your country will be joining the EU. So much seems to be going wrong in freedom loving countries. The left and the communists are destroying us from within.

[Thumper1960]

Fuque the French! I say an SAS honor guard escort the proud vets to the ceremony. My sweet heaven, the Frogs are pathetic.

Good idea! How about a few US Marines and a contingent of SEAL's to accompany them. Would the "French army" stand in their way?

I'd like to see that.

[Chris Talk]

"France cannot be allowed to become a Muslim stronghold."

It already has in large part done so; what are you proposing to do about it?

[Thumper1960]

Better still....annex the beaches, using a claim of sovreignty by virtue of blood payment. Normandy in the hands of Great Britain. Whatta concept.

[MegaSilver]

"France cannot be allowed to become a Muslim stronghold."

It already has in large part done so; what are you proposing to do about it?

D plus 21797.

[Godebert]

Viva la France

[You Dirty Rats]

The Marines and Seals are busy right now doing the real work of soldiering while the Frenchies sit on their hands.

The old Tommies are more than capable of handling the French. Just provide them with arms and they'll be more than capable of handling any nonsense.

[Thumper1960]

Perhaps the old Tommies could study some French before their trip to Normandy. They could go here: http://www.insultmonger.com/swearing/french.htm

[Thumper1960]

Caution! The previous post leads to a very nasty, yet legal, site!

[Salem]

"It already has. The tour group coordinator has informed us that the French government is considering making the American invasion beaches off-limits to all American tourists and canceling all ceremonies at the American Cemetery -- including a speech by the President -- due to their inability to secure the area against terrorist attacks."

This whole story is just absolutely incredible.

I have this vision of President George Bush, within the parameters of this particular scenario, floating one or two carrier task groups and perhaps a MEU SOC right off the coast and JUST SHOWING UP. Just like in Iraq.

WITH OUR VETERANS IN TOW!

It would be a laugh riot bar none to see the French wet their pants!

[SAMWolf]

My dad fought and was captured in the Warsaw uprising. He displays this proudly in this living room.

Warsaw Uprising Cross (Warszawski Krzyz Powstanczy)

Instituted by act of Parliament of July 7, 1981. Awarded to all military and civilian participants of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. Conferred also on Poles and foreigners who gave the uprising their support.

Badge: silver Greek cross with channeled arma, 42 x 42 mm. Obverse: the date 1 VIII on the left and 1944 on the right arm (the date of the outbreak of the uprising). The center holds a white and red arm band worn by the insurgents with a superimposed "anchor" - combined letters PW (Polska walczaca - fighting Poland), the symbol of Polish Resistance. Reverse: granular, with a laurel wreath in the center and the inscription POWSTANCOM WARSZAWY (to the insurgents of Warsaw) through the horizontal arms.

[geedee]

As silly as the French government is, we cannot afford to allow the largest country in Western Europe become a Muslim stronghold.

It's too late now!

[Euro-American Scum]

This whole story is just absolutely incredible.

And this trip has been in the works for the last ten years, since the last anniversary really. It's the last chance to say goodbye to the G.I. Joe generation. Ten years from now, none of them will be left.

I'm there either way. Restrictions or not. Ceremonies or not. They can't make those beaches off limits forever. There are enough distinguished guests going -- Richard Winters and Walt Ehlers among them -- that I'm not going to miss it.

The opportunity to piss on the French countryside is just too appealing to miss.