Clarkson on BBC2, WWII
19 March 2007, 01:28 PM
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I'm very proud to say that my second cousin (Des Chappell) was one of the commandos on that raid. He won the Military Cross for his actions. He was severely injured, with shrapnel damage to his head and was left on the dockside. Ironically it was only due to the medical care that he received from the Germans that he survived (sadly he died last year).
Channel 4 also did a show about this a few years ago (called 'Commando') - there's a very good book by Sally Dugan, which you can still get on Amazon. It features interviews with Des and many of the guys in JC's programme last night.
Fabulous programme BTW - I never tire of hearing about it to be honest.
Chris
Channel 4 also did a show about this a few years ago (called 'Commando') - there's a very good book by Sally Dugan, which you can still get on Amazon. It features interviews with Des and many of the guys in JC's programme last night.
Fabulous programme BTW - I never tire of hearing about it to be honest.
Chris
More seriously, well done 2nd cousin Des - that's quite a resume' !
Andy Mc
19 March 2007, 01:29 PM
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It was an incredible programme; I simply can't imagine the bravery that such an operation would require and the humility, good grace and dignity that the veterans exhibited in describing their experiences. Truely inspirational. Similarly, what I also found very impressive was the behaviour of some of the German soldiers. I recall one veteran saying that it would have been easier and safer for the German soldiers to have simply thrown a few grenades into the basement and wiped a group of the surviving commandos out, but they didn't. Furthermore, when they emerged some of the Germans were even patting them on the back for pulling off such an audacious raid. Then, of course we have the incredible story of the chap who took 16 bullets from a German destroyer and still wouldn't surrender. The German officer's reaction proved that they may have been soldiers, but amid all the pain and suffering they had not become animals.
Maybe the lesson here is that even in the darkest of circumstances the light of humanity finds a way to shine through.
Ns04
Maybe the lesson here is that even in the darkest of circumstances the light of humanity finds a way to shine through.
Ns04
19 March 2007, 02:07 PM
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Agreed.
Clarkson was brilliant on "Who do you think you are" and that one he made about "Brunell"
Last nights program was one of the best documentaries I've ever seen.
Really thought provoking, and listening to those survivors stories almost brought a lump to my throat.
Brave isn't a big enough word for those guys. If I had a hat, I'd take it off to them.
Clarkson was brilliant on "Who do you think you are" and that one he made about "Brunell"
Last nights program was one of the best documentaries I've ever seen.
Really thought provoking, and listening to those survivors stories almost brought a lump to my throat.
Brave isn't a big enough word for those guys. If I had a hat, I'd take it off to them.
19 March 2007, 02:35 PM
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He was a cousin of my Mum's, so I think he is a second cousin to me. He was a top bloke. Only met him briefly once, but my Uncle had been in regular contact with him for years. Very unassuming guy, just as JC described them in the documentary.
20 March 2007, 01:10 AM
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LOL - not THAT old thanks very much He was a cousin of my Mum's, so I think he is a second cousin to me. He was a top bloke. Only met him briefly once, but my Uncle had been in regular contact with him for years. Very unassuming guy, just as JC described them in the documentary.
He was a cousin of my Mum's, so I think he is a second cousin to me. He was a top bloke. Only met him briefly once, but my Uncle had been in regular contact with him for years. Very unassuming guy, just as JC described them in the documentary.And yes, these guys all seem pretty modest about their heroics, which makes them all the more impressive.
Andy
21 March 2007, 08:59 AM
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02 December 2010, 08:11 AM
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02 December 2010, 12:17 PM
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Sorry forgot to mention the channel, as said above
The Greatest Raid of all Time, BBC2
also followed by
Operation Mincemeat - the story of how Britain deceived Hitler into thinking the Allies were planning to invade Greece in 1943
The Greatest Raid of all Time, BBC2
also followed by
Operation Mincemeat - the story of how Britain deceived Hitler into thinking the Allies were planning to invade Greece in 1943
06 December 2010, 07:26 AM
#47
To that one commando who said 'I'm sure the youth of today would do exactly the same thing'
I'm afraid I can't imagine the x box generation for one minute leaving their bedrooms to go to war or even knowing much about either world war and appreciating what those men did for all of us.
We have repaid these men by producing a pretty ugly,greedy,selfish country and population
I'm afraid I can't imagine the x box generation for one minute leaving their bedrooms to go to war or even knowing much about either world war and appreciating what those men did for all of us.
We have repaid these men by producing a pretty ugly,greedy,selfish country and population
I could not agree more and I cringed when I heard that noble man ask that question. The youth of today have no interest in defending the realm but only bleeding it dry.
Bloody good programme and my heartfelt appreciation and respect goes out to those courageous men
06 December 2010, 07:29 AM
#48
I watched the documentary 'Operation Mincemeat' that immediately followed Ckarkson's programme and that too made great viewing.
Its tales like these that should be drummed into school children and may help the nation to regain its lost pride
Its tales like these that should be drummed into school children and may help the nation to regain its lost pride
06 December 2010, 11:34 AM
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Outstanding programme and very well presented as ever.
It needs only to be said that is why we have Remembrance ceremonies all over this country. We owe so much to these brave people.
Les
It needs only to be said that is why we have Remembrance ceremonies all over this country. We owe so much to these brave people.
Les
06 December 2010, 08:23 PM
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not available on iplayer nor showing coming up on TVguide.co.uk
It seems its on youtube though, in six 10 minute parts, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgF0R4dhUqk
It seems its on youtube though, in six 10 minute parts, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgF0R4dhUqk
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