SYDNEY – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday became Japan’s first leader to visit the Australian city of Darwin since it was bombed by Japanese forces during World War Two, underlining the strength of their crucial alliance. Abe and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison laid wreaths at Darwin’s Cenotaph war memorial before observing a minute’s silence to acknowledge war dead and strengthen a bond that has evolved in the decades since. “We acknowledge our history and we commemorate our sacrifice and loss today, but importantly, we have further strengthened our great relationship as good friends and great partners,” Morrison said. “We acknowledge the special strategic relationship based not only on our deep shared values and interests but our deeply held beliefs.” The leaders of both nations reaffirmed their strategic bond, and pledged to invest in infrastructure in the Pacific and south of the subcontinent, in a counter to the growing … [Read more...] about Abe Becomes First Japanese PM To Visit Darwin Since WW2 Bombing
Ww2 dead soldiers
Stunning secret linking ‘sweet old lady’ to WW2 hero who died alone in Liverpool
The family of a "sweet old lady" had no idea she was a secret resistance heroine who was tortured by Nazis during the Second World War. But after 96-year-old Joséphine Van Durme died at her home in Westmalle, Belgium, in 2009, the breathtaking bravery and secret pain she carried with her for decades was slowly revealed. Her heroic story also led to the mystery of Air Gunner Sgt William Roch Griffiths, who Joséphine helped deliver to safety after he was shot down behind enemy lines. She paid a heavy price for her defiance, and her family say evidence suggests she was forced to watch thugs from the Gestapo, the Nazi secret police, torture her fiancé, Jules Colle. They even believe a notorious Nazi doctor, Helmut Ernst Rath, performed experiments on her which left her sterile, while she was held in Waldheim prison in Germany. But Joséphine never talked. Secret life of a heroine Sgt Griffiths, born in Barmouth, Gwynedd, survived the war but died, seemingly alone, in … [Read more...] about Stunning secret linking ‘sweet old lady’ to WW2 hero who died alone in Liverpool
Heartbreaking World War I tribute at London’s Olympic Park honours 72,396 British and Commonwealth soldiers who died at the Battle of the Somme without a grave
IT is the picture that graphically shows the unimaginable scale and futility of the First World War’s bloodiest battle. The Sun has been following artist Rob Heard’s five-year mission to make a miniature figure and shroud for EVERY British and Commonwealth soldier who died at the Battle of the Somme without a grave — and his work is now complete. The remains of 72,396 men still lie undiscovered in the fields of Northern France where their bodies were swallowed in mud. But now they have come home at last — as each is represented in Rob’s incredible work, Shrouds Of The Somme, by plastic figures and calico shrouds he has hand-crafted and bound with ribbons. A team of 25 soldiers and volunteers has taken 500 man hours to lay the shrouds over an area of grass 137 metres by 30 metres at East London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, for the public to view for free until November 18. Yesterday, under leaden skies, the last of the 72,396 figures was set down … [Read more...] about Heartbreaking World War I tribute at London’s Olympic Park honours 72,396 British and Commonwealth soldiers who died at the Battle of the Somme without a grave
John ‘Pop’ Kennedy served in the Boer War, fought at Gallipoli, The Somme and Ypres in WW1 – then came back aged 61 to serve at Dunkirk in WW2
CHRISTMAS Eve 1914, war has broken out and Sergeant John Kennedy is on stage jollying up the troops at the regimental concert. As they all sing lustily along with him to the words of the music hall classic I’m Not Particular, Kennedy and his men could have no idea of the horrors to come. Nor could he possibly foresee how he would later survive the slaughter of Gallipoli before being decorated for bravery on the most notorious killing fields of France and Flanders. Later, not even his wife and family would know anything about his decision to join up again in 1940 to fight the Nazis — aged 61 — before being evacuated amid the Miracle of Dunkirk. The incredible tale of courage is one of many being commemorated in the run-up to the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One on Armistice Day 1918. Military historian and author Paul Reed said: “The story of Sergeant John Kennedy is a truly unusual and remarkable one. “The increased … [Read more...] about John ‘Pop’ Kennedy served in the Boer War, fought at Gallipoli, The Somme and Ypres in WW1 – then came back aged 61 to serve at Dunkirk in WW2
Was WW2 veteran called James Bond who served under Ian Fleming inspiration for 007?
A REAL-life James Bond who served under Ian Fleming in World War II was the inspiration for 007, his family have claimed. The grandson of army veteran Charles James Bond reckons Fleming named the fictional superspy after his relative after uncovering a cache of classified military documents. Stephen Phillips, 52, recently unearthed his grandfather's "On her Majesty's secret service" records - which were previously guarded under the Official Secrets Act. The papers reveal that Welsh soldier James, from Swansea, was a member of the elite Special Operations Executive - and served under Fleming towards the tail end of the war. Greengrocer Stephen said: "There has always been a nagging curiosity within me and other members of my family about his name and possible links with Ian Fleming. "As grandchildren we were always told never to ask about the army and what granddad did in the war or where he served. We never really knew why. "It is only since the relaxing of Official Secrets Acts … [Read more...] about Was WW2 veteran called James Bond who served under Ian Fleming inspiration for 007?