To celebrate the 6th June the 514th convoyed to Lepe Beach, Hampshire UK.
In the middle distance is the memorial plaque to the thousands of G.I's that set off from this point for the Invasion of Europe.
Situated on the south coast of England this the Western Sector of The Solent was the loading point for so many of the shallow drafted craft that were to assault France in 1944. Vehicles and men embarked from here in their thousands. It is said that the Solent Water was so packed with craft that you could walk to the Island !
A memorial service is held here every year and once again the 514th, the 29'ers and many others attended.
In a quiet moment whilst doing some field maintenance to the truck I had an unexpected guest join me. This magic moment was when an 85 year old vet crawled in under my truck to see what I was doing? Full parade dress, brass button blazer and medals. He was a Motor Pool guy and wondered if I needed any help. “Been a long time since I been under one of these" said he, and then checked what I'd been doing!!
Laid there we passed the time of day, exchanging "war" stories and techy info as if we’d been life long pals.
It makes what we do worthwhile.
The 29'ers demonstrated their beach assault techniques, and can be seen at the excellent site of Nick Halling:
http://www.nickhalling.co.uk/pictures20 ... /index.htm
Lepe itself has something of a hidden WW2 history and few know that the PLUTO project (West) left from this very beach, crossing 5000 yards to Gurnard Point on the Isle of Wight before being boosted on, across the channel to France.
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/404862
http://www.combinedops.com/pluto.htm
http://www.combinedops.com/PLUTO_resurrected2.htm
Its history in our own back yard.
514th Lepe
Historic Military Vehicle and Military Events of Interest World Wide.
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