Guy Martin D Day Landing
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I see that Guy Martin has made a programme about D Day to be shown next Sunday which includes some flying with 47 Sqn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u8vs8imNwo
It was indeed a good programme. Putting himself through training with the Paras wasn't an easy school for Guy!
That French jumpmaster was someone you hope would be on your side in any conflict.
That French jumpmaster was someone you hope would be on your side in any conflict.
Thought police antagonist
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It was a very good programme, but there again, this is usually the case as he's about as far removed from the "I'm a celeb so the programme's all about me " school of presenters as it's possible to get. He does get actively involved and not just as a token gesture
Shame we didn't see a bit more about the Dak restoration, which isn't a criticism I hasten to add.
Shame we didn't see a bit more about the Dak restoration, which isn't a criticism I hasten to add.
I admit to having had strong reservations about this programme. We are so used to such productions being a vehicle for the presenter/lead participant's self esteem and professional exposure. Not so here. He is self effacing and modest. He realises that the point of the programme is to reveal the technical details of how you go about invading a well defended enemy coast, in this case from the air.
We were constantly aware that arriving on the DZ is only the start of the challenge, rather than its culmination. It was in short a proper tribute to those gallant young men who started the liberation of Europe proper, 75 years ago. Some appeared in the programme, remembering as clear as yesterday their drills and procedures. Young as ever in mind, if not in body. This was their story, not Guy Martin's, and he would be the first to say so. Great programme!
We were constantly aware that arriving on the DZ is only the start of the challenge, rather than its culmination. It was in short a proper tribute to those gallant young men who started the liberation of Europe proper, 75 years ago. Some appeared in the programme, remembering as clear as yesterday their drills and procedures. Young as ever in mind, if not in body. This was their story, not Guy Martin's, and he would be the first to say so. Great programme!
I only got to see the first hour as my luscious lady friend insisted on turning over for "Gentleman Jack". I shall catch the final bit on catchup. One thing that intrigued me.......the Para instructor with a beard. I know about the Pioneer Corps and beards but Paras?
As anything with Guy - really good. He's a top bloke with cojones of titanium steel.
As anything with Guy - really good. He's a top bloke with cojones of titanium steel.
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A very interesting program, and less artificial drama than some of his other programmes (not a comment on Guy, more the editors of those programs) which definitely makes this one of his better ones.
For the real deal, how about Harry Read - this week he will recreate his D-Day jump aged 95. Much respect.
https://www.channel4.com/news/the-95...ay-75-years-on
And coverage of his practice jump last year:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-eng...time-since-ww2
For the real deal, how about Harry Read - this week he will recreate his D-Day jump aged 95. Much respect.
https://www.channel4.com/news/the-95...ay-75-years-on
And coverage of his practice jump last year:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-eng...time-since-ww2
I know about the Pioneer Corps and beards but Paras?
Or he may just have had a medical chit to be excused shaving!
I assumed he was probably ex services....but to keep it in context and for the general public viewing he was called by his ex rank?
Good program though, and credit to Guy Martin...he just gets on with it!
Good program though, and credit to Guy Martin...he just gets on with it!
Avoid imitations
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I really enjoyed this program. I grew up around folk like GM - a real salt of the earth bloke. I thought it especially brave of him to go through with it, not least because he's had a few serious accidents in his past and something might easily have gone snap!
The interviews with the ex servicemen (and the flight nurse) were very telling - more from what they obviously held back from saying than the statements they actually made. Let's hope that no-one ever has to go through the horrors of that sort of thing ever again.
The interviews with the ex servicemen (and the flight nurse) were very telling - more from what they obviously held back from saying than the statements they actually made. Let's hope that no-one ever has to go through the horrors of that sort of thing ever again.
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Guy Martin is obviously brave and self effacing. As an ex fighter pilot I see a man who is basically fearless (but clever) and who will accept a challenge if he deems it reasonable.
He was replicating a parachute jump made by his Grandad and he was a credit to the memory of that man.
Wonderful programme.
Guy - please do NOT ride the TT any more. Keep entertaining us with your attentions to history.
He was replicating a parachute jump made by his Grandad and he was a credit to the memory of that man.
Wonderful programme.
Guy - please do NOT ride the TT any more. Keep entertaining us with your attentions to history.
In the mid 50's, my father gave me an old motorbike, hoping that I would learn to do it up. It was a Royal Enfield 125cc 2 stroke. I learned form Guy Martin's excellent programme that this was the type of motorbike that was dropped with the paras to give them secure communications. I wish I had known that at the time
Avoid imitations
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In the mid 50's, my father gave me an old motorbike, hoping that I would learn to do it up. It was a Royal Enfield 125cc 2 stroke. I learned form Guy Martin's excellent programme that this was the type of motorbike that was dropped with the paras to give them secure communications. I wish I had known that at the time
Ancientaviator,
If those bikes were 2 stroke Bombardiers, dropping them with a parachute was a very good thing to do with them. Horrible things to ride. I had the throttle stick open on one of them on Salisbury Plain - the damned thing nearly did for me when I hit ruts caused by a tank track while I tried to stop it running away with me!