Editor in Chief Bill | 08 Jun 2019 9:20 a.m. PST |
Incredible D-Day heroics of Star Trek actor 'Scotty' revealed: How Lt. James Doohan led his men safely across Juno Beach and took out two German snipers before becoming known as 'craziest pilot in the Canadian air force' link |
Frederick | 08 Jun 2019 9:53 a.m. PST |
Great story and thanks for sharing! You would think, though, that the Daily Mail would know it's the Canadian Army (just like the British Army) and the "Royal" prefix is a regimental distinction Also – seeing that his cigarette case deflected a bullet, a rare example of smoking saving someone's life! |
Shagnasty | 08 Jun 2019 11:30 a.m. PST |
The greatest generation was not confined to the US. |
Parzival | 08 Jun 2019 1:05 p.m. PST |
Whoever said it was? I've never thought so, or even heard it implied. (Well, maybe modern Hollywood is that dumb…) And great article. Doesn't go into what he flew, or why he was thought of as "crazy," or who called him that. |
Dynaman8789 | 08 Jun 2019 3:04 p.m. PST |
I don't like that "Greatest Generation" title either. It is an insult to all those who fought in our other wars. |
StarCruiser | 08 Jun 2019 7:12 p.m. PST |
I don't think they are called the "Greatest Generation" only because of World War 2. They also went through the Great Depression (which affected most of the world prior to the war). |
Brad Jenison | 08 Jun 2019 8:20 p.m. PST |
No, they are called the Greatest Generation because they stopped the slide of humankimd into Fascism. |
Parzival | 08 Jun 2019 8:40 p.m. PST |
To be clear, I do like the term. I just know it was inclusive of all the Western allies, and not only the fighting men, but the civilians as well. And it's not just about WW2; it's what they went through before and during, and then what they built after. I don't see it as lessening the sacrifices of other men and women in other wars at all. But looking back, it does appear to be the last time the entire populations of the Allied nations were truly committed to and active in supporting the war effort. Thus, the entire generation was involved. And that's the context behind the phrase. |
Windy Miller | 09 Jun 2019 1:58 a.m. PST |
The Daily Mail is renowned for the inaccuracy of its reporting and I'm afraid this article is up to their usual standard! James Doohan was commisioned into the Royal Canadian Artillery at the start of WW2. He spent most of the next four years in the UK with 14 Field Regt RCA (part of 3rd Canadian Infantry Division). He landed on Juno Beach on D Day, leading his battery through minefields and personally shooting two German snipers. He was accidentally shot by a nervous sentry late the same evening and was lucky to survive. After recovery he qualified as an air observation pilot and flew Austers as an artillery spotter with 666 (AOP) Sqn RCAF. However he did not transfer to the RCAF and remained an Artillery officer throughout his military service. Hope that clears up the garbage written by the Daily Fail! Windy |
Skarper | 09 Jun 2019 4:21 a.m. PST |
I dislike the term "Greatest Generation" intensely. While there are still a few left it would interesting to survey what they think of it? Who started the trend anyway? Googled it…Tom Brokaw. |
uglyfatbloke | 09 Jun 2019 5:14 a.m. PST |
Something (broadly at least) accurate in the Daily Mail? Is that a first? |