Good morning everyone
I just wanted to say thank you for all the support in the very challenging 2020. I cannot say I am going to miss this year and however you celebrate the start of 2021 or the back of 2020, enjoy!
Let's see what 2021 has planned for us all, I'm betting on aliens.
Today a big thank you goes out to Malcolm A who has purchased some equipment for us from the wishlist. If you have sent us some supplies and we have not said thank you to you, please feel free to reach out and let us know who you are so we can. Amazon does not provide sender information on everything.
Have a fantastic New Years eve!
thanks
Phil
Above and below is Batterie Lothringen which is located at Noirmont Point and is the one of four planned Naval Batteries to be built. More photos and info on the website.
Batterie Lothringen
3./M.A.A604 4 x 15cm Skl/45 Naval Guns 10.3 mile range
Occupation Focus
80 years ago today 31st of December 1940
Today would be the 184th day of the Islands Occupation with 1,590 days remaining.
" Maximum prices fixed for eggs, the first-grade price being 4/3 per dozen retail. New Year's Eve dances held at the Pavilion and The Plaza; troops attend in large numbers and there are several disturbances by them late at night in various parts of the town. During the month several mass treats have been given to children, including visits to cinemas. Although not plentiful, quantities of oranges and nuts have reached the Island, and certain goods held back have been released. The Germans have done themselves very well indeed; they have held parties at which there was no shortage of any kind, even beer being brought from France; special cakes were made for them in large numbers, and well-laden trees have adorned their billets. On New Year's Eve, local people held parties at home, the curfew was extended to 3 a.m.; midnight, however, was not observed by Central European Time we all waited for Big Ben! "
Leslie Sinel
Civilian working at the Evening Post (EP)
Further afield
80 years ago today
31st of December 1940
On 31 December 1940, Bomber Command dispatched 22 Blenheim on single cloud cover raids to northern Germany, the Ruhr and Dutch airfields. Six crew bombed various targets and two did not return.
The Blenheim IV R3897 of 114 Sqn RAF took off from Oulton airfield just before noon to attack Gilze-Rijen airfield. At 1420 hrs, the aircraft was hit by Flak guns at Gilze and crashed at De Moer, between Loon op Zand and St. Joachimsmoer near Gilze. The bomb load exploded when the bomber hit the ground, killing the three crew.
Crew (all killed):
Sgt Leslie Alfred Young (pilot)
Sgt John Edward Brown (observer)
Sgt Jack Coates (wireless operator/air gunner)
They are buried in Bergen op Zoom War Cemetery.
The above photo was released 80 years ago today from the past days bombing and the second fire of London. Click the badge below to read about the St Pauls Watch Team.
Below shows the devastation of the firebombing near St Pauls. The London Office I used to visit (pre-covid) is here and apart from one Church remaining bomb damaged there is no Trace of the destruction from 80 Years ago in this area.
The December book recommendation is "The Americans on D-Day."
This book has 450 dramatic photographs captured in northern France during the first day and week of its liberation and is available on kindle! Click the photo to find out more. It also would make a fantastic Christmas Present.
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