D-Day Remembered - Odd Bods

 

As world leaders gather for ceremonies on the anniversary of D-Day, it is time to reflect on the contribution of Odd Bods. 

D-Day (6th June 1944) is heralded as the largest seaborne invasion in history and one of the most important campaigns towards the end of WW2. 

Aviators made a significant contribution towards the campaign known as Operation Overlord. Some 2,800 Australian airmen from the Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force provided crucial aerial support over Normandy during the landing and the battles that followed. On D–Day, 1,000 Australians served in the 10 RAAF squadrons that participated in the Allied invasion. A further 1,800 Australians who participated on D-Day were serving attached to RAF squadrons.

A number of our Odd Bods received special medals for their service in the Normandy campaign. The medals, often referred to as Operation Overlord Medals, were issued by the town of Caen on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the liberation in WW2.

A big thank you to Bryan Wilcockson for sending us the following photos from this year's D-Day commemorations in the UK.

Odd Bods In Special Operations

 

Have you ever wondered what the S.O.E reference on the Odd Bods banner stands for?

At Frank Sims funeral yesterday the eulogies included reference to Franks WW2 participation under the Special Operations Executive. The S.O.E was set up by Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1940 to conduct espionage and sabotage in enemy held territories. Find out more here.

Frank flew in Sunderlands during the war and was involved in S.O.E sorties. Just one more aspect of an Odd Bod's amazing contribution during war service.