Sunday, August 17, 2025

I Have Been To....DDay Ohio 2025

The lack of activity on the blog is not due to a lack of hobby related bits and bobs, but rather about the time and space to capture them. This morning I returned from a few days in Conneaut, Ohio, where the largest reenactment of DDay (Operation Overlord) is held annually. I've been a frequent participant since, I think, 2014 or so. It's an amazing collection of people, completely run and organized and funded by volunteers and donations. 

In a word, it's just amazing. 

As a member of the Commonwealth Company, I represent both Royal Canadian Army Service Corps and Regiment de la Chaudiere for this event. My RCASC impression is pretty static, but the Chauds get to go on the landing craft and hit the beach. 

Just a few photos until I get the rest sorted out and posted. 

Well, it IS the NE corner of Ohio, after all...

Saturday's landing was from a DUKW instead of the LCVP. One of the crew was kind enough to take my picture on my phone. My section of the Chauds landed with some of No. 4 Commando. 

A Soldier's eye view. Waiting behind a berm for the Commandos to give us smoke and covering fire to cross a gap between the dunes so we may link up with the other Canadians landing on the beach.

Mes amis, (L to R) Constant, Xavier, Eve, Daniel, et Joffre

(Francois and I are taking the pictures...)

As always, it was a great event. I couldn't see everything or talk to everyone, per the usual. We had great weather for the event, a little too warm during the day, but quite nice at night. 

I'll post more pictures, but I need to Rest & Recover. My kit needs sorting out, my body is quite sore, especially my right knee and my feet, but otherwise, what a great time. Already planning for next year. 

More anon. 




6 comments:

  1. A staunch looking bunch in the last image - is Eve the FFI liaison? !

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! We were supposed to have 12, at least when 2025 started, but work and illness dropped it down to six, plus Xavier's partner Eve, who attended her first re-enactment. She really enjoyed herself. Maybe we'll get her to fall in with the FFI next year...she'd be the only one to speak French!

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  2. The photo in the dunes is very atmospheric.
    Neil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil, I was hoping to get a shot or two like that. After that particular picture, though, things got rather busy, as you may assume. Sadly, I forgot my phone in my camp box on Friday, which would have been great for pictures from a LCVP.

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  3. Outstanding event, and you look the part!

    ReplyDelete

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