Sexy dressing for Valentine's
Jedward Jacko tribute
Quake children for sale
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Orlando gets a soaking
SPANNING THE YEARS: D-Day Hero Richard Todd back at Pegasus Bridge
Bullets zipped by as I jumped. I hit the ground 6 seconds later and came under intense fire..
D-DAY SPECIAL: We take movie legend Richard Todd back to the scene of his toughest real-life battle
DASHING: Todd looked the part as a wartime Para
2 DAYS TO GO: Todd & Tony train for D-Day
MOVIE legend Richard Todd starred in two of the most famous films inspired by World War Two, The Longest Day and The Dam Busters. But it's his TRUE-LIFE war experience that makes him most proud.
RICHARD, who you can see speaking on video below, was the very FIRST D-Day Para to jump from a plane over northern France in the early hours of June 6, 1944. Now aged 89, the News of the World has taken him back to Normandy days ahead of Saturday's 65th anniversary of those momentous landings.
We believe Richard's brave story should fill ALL Brits with pride..
CAPTAIN Richard Todd was about to jump from a Stirling bomber when German tracer fire lit up the night sky over Normandy.
The budding actor - destined to become a household name playing fearless war heroes - was all set to perform the greatest role of his life . . . for REAL.
As the first paratrooper to leap into Nazi-occupied France on D-Day his mission was - along with his battalion - to secure and hold the key stronghold of Pegasus Bridge, near Caen.
There was no script, and no chance for a second take if things went wrong.
But incredibly, instead of fear or panic under the strain of this great challenge Richard simply marvelled at the spectacular light show of enemy gunfire below.
And at 00.40 hours on June 6, 1944, he launched himself towards the ground.
This week, as he stood again on French soil and relived the drama, Todd told us: "Although I had 40 jumps under my belt, I had no experience of dropping under fire. But I remember looking out and seeing the tracer bullets zipping past us. I thought what a pretty sight it was with all the coloured lights.
"I didn't think about the risk to my life, I just jumped."
Six seconds later, after dropping from only 400ft to minimise the risk of being shot in the air, he crashed down in a cornfield under intense attack from more German gunfire.
D-Day legend Richard Todd back in Normandy
Richard said: "As soon as we were on the ground our dropping zone was covered with enemy fire. You didn't hang around. Luckily I dropped right by a track that led straight to our rendezvous."
A quick glance skywards before diving for the cover of trees told him how fortunate he'd been to survive this long.
Todd recalled: "Being first out of the first plane wasn't my idea I assure you. But immediately I could see I was lucky. My plane had benefited from the element of surprise. We'd come under a lot of enemy fire but nothing compared to the flak the other planes behind were getting.
"Looking up I saw whole planes full of paratroopers being brought down. We lost a lot of men that way.
"One, Tony Bowler, was one of my closest friends. Tony's plane was one of those that came down, complete with all its 20 paratroopers."
The vivid memories came flooding back as Todd led us to the very field and showed us how he then made his way to the Pegasus Bridge, scene of the bloodiest fighting.
Screen veteran Todd has revisited the area many times-even starring in classic movie The Longest Day, based on the historic action. But, just days from his 90th birthday, he feared he would be too old to make the landmark 65th anniversary.
TO FREEDOM: Todd & Arlette drink a toast
The the News of the World stepped in with a specially chartered plane and he seized the chance with relish.
In 1944 the crucial mission for Todd's 7th battalion of the Parachute Regiment was to hold the bridges over the River Orne and the Caen Canal three miles inland, stopping the German forces from getting reinforcements to the beaches. That allowed the Allies in the seaborne landing to advance inland. A glider force-led by Major John Howard, of the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry-had seized the bridges in minutes, just half an hour ahead of the main airborne invasion.
Todd's landing site was just half a mile from the bridge and after taking cover in the woods he linked up with his commanding officer, Lieutenant- Colonel Geoffrey Pine-Coffin, and his team. They trekked across farmland to the target.
On his way the actor got his first sight of the brutality of war-the corpse of a German officer blasted in half near his staff car, his driver also killed. "It was the first time I'd seen a shattered dead body like that," admitted Todd. "I remember thinking, 'Poor sod.' It meant no more than that.
"Then, just as we got to Pegasus Bridge, there was a huge explosion about 200 yards away. We thought it was the beginning of the German counter-attack. In fact a German tank had been hit by a bazooka and exploded.
"We thought our chaps must have been under heavy fire so we scrambled over the bridge to join them as fast as we could. When we met up with John Howard, I greeted him with a quick, 'Well done old boy!' My CO then told him to go into reserve and we took over. We then bore the brunt of the German counter-attack. It took 10 or 15 mins before they struck back and by that time we were in position.
"But we were down to a fraction of our strength because chaps had been dropped all over the place or shot down. It was one of my jobs as assistant adjutant to get a list of casualties.
VICTORS: Allies at Pegasus in 1944
"We had dropped 610 men but by 10am we had just 200 odd left. I think 65 men were killed during fighting at the bridges alone."
Todd's battalion took most of the losses in those bloody first hours of D-Day. He recalled: "Initially there were hardly any German casualties. They were completely caught with their pants down and simply surrendered."
Armed with only a Browning pistol and a small machine gun Todd had his first taste of combat.
"The first time I used my weapons was on the way from the bridge to a place I'd set up as our HQ," he said. "We had a little bit of a fight with some Germans. They didn't seem to like us very much. It was a bit of a shooting match.
"But I never did see if I'd downed anybody. It was quickfire running about stuff mainly. The only time I did think I'd downed somebody was the following day when I was in a position near Ranville close to the glider landing zone.
"The Germans were using the gliders as cover and there was quite a lot of shooting. I fired quite a few times and thought I might have downed a few but I can't say for sure.
"You couldn't always see the source of fire. You just had to shoot in the general direction it was coming home from and hope you hit somebody or at least shut them up."
"But one thing I'll never forget is the stench of death. It was easily the worst thing. Thousands of animals, mostly cows, lay dead and rotting, killed by bullets and bomb blasts. And as the Germans were driven out of villages, the Allies never had time to clear the dead so they lay there stinking.
"It was overpowering and, thankfully, something you never got used to."
HONOUR: Richard Todd at memorial to his regiment
Todd also paid an emotional visit to Café Gondrée, the historic first house liberated in France by the Allies that became an improvised military hospital for the casualties.
Café owner Madame Gondrée's grateful husband Georges famously dug up cases of champagne hidden from the occupying Germans to serve to the British liberators.
And as Todd once again sipped bubbly with Georges' daughter Arlette- just four at the time of the liberation- he reminisced: "This very dining table was used as a makeshift operating table and many chaps had their lives saved in this room."
With pride Todd added: "On the whole I think D-Day was the most significant day in the history of the world. Today we move around with freedom we simply wouldn't have if it wasn't for D-Day. Never has the world gone into action in such a way. Thank goodness we survived and managed to win the battle.
"I thought my days of coming back here were over. But this has been an incredible opportunity to return. I'm enormously grateful."
Post your comment here
Please note: All comments are moderated.
Tick this box to accept our
TERMS & CONDITIONS
We have to check every comment before we can allow it to be published. But don't worry, we've got a team on it 24/7 - so check back soon! Please note that we cannot publish all comments received. The editor's decision is final. Please note that your email address will not be displayed next to your comment.
Sarah Harding
Simon says: Move out SuBo
Sara Payne: My battle for life
The land that crime forgot
Gun law for Haiti looters
The Kingmakers
JOHN TERRY'S SH*GGING & GAGGING
John Terry spends a fortune hiding FOUR MORE lovers
JOHN TERRY IN £137k FRAUD TRIAL
Shamed star will be named in friend Faisal Madani's court case
John Terry thinks it's Orl over... it is now!
John Terry bedded Big Brother star Orliath while Toni was pregnant.
'Cruel Wayne ditched me for a gold digger'
Wayne Bridge dumped Sam Ramplin for Vanessa Perroncel
SERIAL WAG GOT FIXTURE LISTS TO FIND HER NEXT MAN
Vanessa Perroncel sent coded messages and naked pictures to JT.
AFTER ALL THIS HE'S STILL DAD OF THE YEAR
Sauce bosses WON'T take title away from John Terry.
Katie Price couldn't be bothered to phone her boy
So heartless..model couldn't be bothered to phone her boy.
PM: BLAIR STIFFED ME
Brown admits to Piers Morgan Tony went back on deal for top job.
WHAT A VICTORY!
Wounded British soldiers to recieve 30% compensation boost.
My kinky sex games with Jigsaw Killer's moll
Ex-lover reveals sordid truth about Stephen Marshall's girlfriend
This article has 57 comments
News of the World, this was a fitting tribute to an Airborne Warrior:
'What Manner of Men are these who wear the maroon red beret. They are in fact - men apart - every man an emperor.
Of all the factors, which make for success in battle, the spirit of the warrior is the most decisive. That spirit will be found in full measure in the men who wear the maroon beret'.
Viscount Montgomery of Alamein
By Steve (2 Para 1981-87).. Posted November 21 2009 at 6:39 PM.
I knew Geoff Pine Coffin he took up woodwork and was initially terrible working with teak from a house called Fairy Cross in Vicarage Lane, Stubbington, Fareham unitl the mid 70's. Geoff had a Renault 16 in green, he loved cameras and the only drop he did not do to my recollection was Arnheim. He moaned that some facts in The Red Beret were incorrect. I have met Peter Pine Coffin and we had a weekend in the New Forest with him in his series one Land Rover
By Housiaux.. Posted November 5 2009 at 10:45 PM.
As an American baby boomer I admired John Wayne and all the rest of the Hollywood commando's who single handedly won WW2... What a laugh. In later years I came to realize the truth, and appreciate the devotion and heroism of the real hero's, men like Richard Todd, my dad, and the millions like them who's sacrafices those many years ago enable us to enjoy what we take for granted today. Mr. Todd has always been a favorite of mine. Thank you, and all the veterans of the United Kingdom for what you've done. The world can never truly repay you.
By Alan Barlow.. Posted November 5 2009 at 2:55 PM.
Dear Richard - my family and I have long admired you. Not just for your acting abilities but for the great man that you truly are. You embody all that is great about the British people - quiet courage and devotion to duty. I wish you to know you are an icon to any generation. YOU are greatly loved. Lindy Fox, Admirer
By Lindy Fox.. Posted November 1 2009 at 2:18 PM.
WITH THE LOSS OF HENRY "HARRY" PATCH WE LOST A LIVING LINK TO OUR PAST, IT IS SAD TO THINK THAT EVEN OUR WW2 VETERANS ARE ALSO FADING AWAY QUIETLY,WE NEED TO RESCUE AS MUCH OF THEIR FIRST HAND EXPERIENCES AS WE CAN. I AGREE WITH THE COMMENT ABOUT THE BAND OF BROTHERS SERIES,
HOW ABOUT ONE OF OUR OWN BUILT AROUND THE LADS THAT TOOK PART IN THE PEGASUS BRIDGE OPERATION AND THE APTLY NAMED "LONGEST DAY", IF DONE WELL USING THE NEW GENERATION OF FILM MAKING EXPERTISE MAYBE THEY COULD DO THE LADS JUSTICE
By DON WARD.. Posted October 27 2009 at 2:05 AM.
Richard Todd is an inspiration. A great actor and a hero, but he is modest and not a show-off. It shows how great a man he truly is, a real gentleman. God bless him.
By Karen Miank.. Posted October 21 2009 at 8:25 PM.
Dear Mr Todd, what a terrific gentleman, actor & human being you are. If this world was filled only with men like you it would be so much the better.You are an inspiration.
By Scott Crumlin.. Posted October 18 2009 at 3:10 PM.
"What a wonderful article. What a great man Richard Todd is and all those who fought to save our country. Most people today have no idea what these brave men and women went through.
I wonder how Mr. Todd feels about the once Great Britian today. I am sure like so many of us he feels quite sad that our country has changed so much for the worse."
The comment quoted above was posted by Richard Clarke on June 1st.
I can only say that I agree wholehartedly with his words, and I believe that I am definitely not the only one to do so.
And to Richard Todd I would like to say thank you so very much for what you did during the war, and also for the many enjoyable hours I spent watching and re-watching your movies.
By Nick ten Kleij.. Posted October 11 2009 at 1:00 PM.
what an amazing man, I have always been a fan and was delighted to find that he is in good health. I cannot understand why this man has not been knighted when so many lesser celebrities are honoured. Now is the time to honour him and all the other brave men who fought for us.
By Terence Lockett.. Posted October 10 2009 at 5:11 PM.
i have always admired this man as an actor but more so now since i learned about him in the war what a man
By victor.. Posted October 2 2009 at 10:24 PM.
What a genuine pleasure it is to see that Richard Todd continues to enjoy good health into his nineties. His actions speak volumes for this un-assuming man and which were best summed up by his own comments as to his role in the taking of Pegasus Bridge, as a "small part". It is a shame that more VC's were not awarded for the D-Day actions to add to that rightly made to Stanley Hollis.
By Brendan Coleman.. Posted September 30 2009 at 10:09 PM.
Mr. R.Todd , words cant really do justice for you'r sacrifice, and the sacrifice of your fellow comrades of all services dureing the dark days of WW2, all i can say is thank you from my genaration for the loss placed on your genaration we shall not for get you. God bless you M8.
By Steve McMurdp.. Posted September 10 2009 at 10:47 PM.
Sir,
I have just discovered this morning that you started life in Dublin, and your father had 3 caps for Ireland.
Splendid. No wonder you were such a brave and successful Para with those genes !
By .. Posted September 7 2009 at 1:23 PM.
JUST SIMPLY THANKYOU
By frances eworthy.. Posted September 5 2009 at 2:34 PM.
mr todd sir, im struggling to find words befitting
for a true hero like yourself. i was unaware of your war record sir so when i heard about it, it
brought tears to my eyes. i truely thank you
from the bottom of my heart. God Bless You sir.
By james fitzgerald.. Posted August 9 2009 at 11:50 PM.
Dear Mr Todd, What is there to add?
Just a heart felt thankyou to you,sir , and yours whoever and where ever they may be.
God bless you .
By Chris Stothard.. Posted August 7 2009 at 11:22 PM.
To Mr Richard Todd
Thankyou to you and all the brave,selfless and brave soldiers who took the fight to the Germans during ww2 to preserve our future
To you sir i just finished reading Pegasus Bridge by Stephen Ambrose and was overwhelmed by the courage of all involved
Thank you sir to you and all those that served in that turbulent time and to all those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice
"LEST WE FORGET"
By Michael Michael.. Posted August 6 2009 at 12:20 PM.
good luck richard todd thank you and god bless
By francisfee.. Posted August 5 2009 at 10:32 PM.
I note that several posts refer to Richard as Sir Richard.Maybe succeessive governments for the last six decades are under the same illusion.He is the most deserving candidate not to have been offered a knighthood. It is not too late,do it now or live with the shame for posterity.
By Gerard Murch.. Posted July 26 2009 at 4:53 PM.
Richard Todd-Warrior,Actor,Legend.The debt and gratitude my generation owes yours is immesurable
You and your generation stood up when the time came and said no to a tyrant that history has never seen an equal.Thank you for courage, thank you for your fortitude,those deeds you and your comrades in arms performed will be remembered forever.
By Jeff Browne.. Posted July 16 2009 at 3:25 AM.
Richard Todd, Thank you for your service and thank you for your excellent acting. God Bless you and your family!
By Michael Reust in Virginia.. Posted July 13 2009 at 6:10 AM.
A brilliant actor and a terrific soldier Richard Todd amongst so many brave young men - 6th June 1944 as Sir Winston famiously said "this may not be the end, it may not even be the beginning of the end, however it is the end of the beginning" He was right as history shows - 10 months later May 8th 1945 the war ended VE Day - Sir Richard Todd ? if not why not ?
By Mick McIntyre (former para ).. Posted July 12 2009 at 4:47 PM.
Thank you Richard Todd for all you and your colleagues did for subsequent generations. We are grateful and will always remember
God Bless You. You will never be forgotten
CW
By Colin Ward.. Posted July 11 2009 at 4:40 PM.
Thank you Richard !! god bless you
By Rigger.. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:47 PM.
As a (travel) radio broadcaster in Los Angeles, I was invited by the French government to attend the 60th Anniversary of D-Day on June 6th, 2004. It was surreal to see Pegasus Bridge and think about Richard Todd playing John Howard - I have often wondered if he was still alive, and so am thrilled to see that he is! Although being there on June 6th 2004 will always be one of the MOST memorable moments in my life, I wish I could have seen Mr. Todd in 2009 - I still hear those immortal lines that he spoke in the movie "Hold until relieved."
By John Clayton.. Posted June 18 2009 at 11:28 PM.
God bless you and sincere and heartfelt thanks Richard to you and all the lads who fought so bravely to free Europe from tyranny, we owe you all our todays!
We will never forget!
By Simon Holroyd.. Posted June 14 2009 at 11:53 PM.
Is Richard Todd a SIR. If not why not?
By Dan Wilson.. Posted June 11 2009 at 2:05 PM.
As a young lad in the 50's I was a great fan of Richard Todd (and I am still) watching him in war films such as Dam Busters, Yangtse Incident, The Longest Day, D Day the Sixth of June, he was Robin Hood, Rob Roy and Sir Walter Raleigh and many others. During my job as a press photographer I was sent to Compton Castle in Devon to take publicty pictures of Mr Todd his second wife Virginia with Commander and Mrs Raleigh Gilbert at Compton Castle. He was charming helpful and a real gentleman. May I wish him a very happy 90th birthday. Graham.
By Graham Gough.. Posted June 7 2009 at 4:03 PM.
Richard Todd - Hero. Three words that say it all.
By Paul.. Posted June 6 2009 at 2:51 AM.
I have read all the postings, about DDay from the first anniversary, that Pres Eisenhower attended, and Never has there ever been a posting or recognition, about the contribution the Merchant (Navy) Marines who brought all of the supplies to Gold Sword Omaha and Juneau beaches, and time must be made for their contribution. Gordon Thompson U.S. Merchant Marine
By gordon thompson.. Posted June 5 2009 at 2:29 AM.
Many of us on this side of the pon and of a certain age remember Richard Todd for his memorable portrayal of the Rev. Dr. Peter Marshall, famed pastor of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, and chaplain of the United States Senate, in "A Man Called Peter," 20th Century Fox's biggest box office draw of 1955. In fact, I always hear Sir Richard's voice when I read Dr. Marshall's sermons because it was only many years later that I actually heard Peter Marshall's own voice. The scene in the US Naval Academy is one of the most unforgettable in film history.
By Margaret.. Posted June 4 2009 at 4:38 AM.
I am from Singapore. I was surprised to learn that Mr Richard Todd was a soldier of World War 2. As a boy in the fifties, I'd enjoyed his films, The Dam Busters, The Longest day, D-Day 6 June and Robin Hood. I admired the strict but gentlemanly manners of his army characters in the films. But to see this hero re-living the memory of a war that he had actually fought at Pegasus Bridge, may I say, Congratulations Mr Todd and God's blessing of a healthy life.
By Sebastian Teo W.A.. Posted June 3 2009 at 5:32 PM.
My Uncle died during the battles on 6th June, my father who died last August also fought, he only spoke about what he had seen and experienced during this time of his life, just before he died. Just like Mr Todd he didn't like to think if he had downed anyone, he was just there to do what had to be done. He was only 21 at the time.
I have met Mr Todd once and I am so glad you were able to take this very brave and proud man back for this anniversary.
Also for those of us who have been so wonderfully entertained by him I am so glad and thankful he survived and returned home.
By Joyce Mackenzie.. Posted June 2 2009 at 9:10 PM.
Great actor!!!!
By milt.. Posted June 1 2009 at 6:24 PM.
Richard Todd is an "old time actor" who I've always liked. He once played Robin Hood for Dinsey!!!!
Milt
By Milton.. Posted June 1 2009 at 6:23 PM.
Sir Richard is a true hero, as were all those brave men who were part of the struggle against Fascism. I was fortunate enough to be in Normandy in 2004 and meet Todd and many other D-day vets. It was an amazing experience, one I will always cherish. It is a shame governments and most people today do not remember the sacrifices that have been made that today's generation can live in freedom. God bless our lads (and girls) past and present.
By Oren Truitt.. Posted June 1 2009 at 4:16 PM.
What a wonderful article. What a great man Richard Todd is and all those who fought to save our country. Most people today have no idea what these brave men and women went through.
I wonder how Mr. Todd feels about the once Great Britian today. I am sure like so many of us he feels quite sad that our country has changed so much for the worse.
By Richard Clarke.. Posted June 1 2009 at 5:25 AM.
What a wonderful article. What a great man Richard Todd is and all those who fought to save our country. Most people today have no idea what these brave men and women went through.
I wonder how Mr. Todd feels about the once Great Britian today. I am sure like so many of us he feels quite sad that our country has changed so much for the worse.
By Richard Clarke.. Posted June 1 2009 at 5:24 AM.
It should also be mentioned that Mr Todd was an excellent actor. My favorite "The Hasty Heart" with Ronald Reagan!
On this side of the pond we had always looked up to British soldiers because of men like Mr Todd. One hopes you can have your political revolution and recapture the greatness the guarded before it's too late.
God Bless you Richard Todd. You and your comrades will be honored as long as tales of courage and devotion are appreciated. Pegasus Bridge is one with Rorke's Drift, Lucknow and Agincourt- the heritage of LIONS!
By jerseyman.. Posted June 1 2009 at 12:35 AM.
A very big well done to Mr Todd.
We should remember all branches of the armed forces,past and present,the Americans celebrate memorial day may 25th dedicated to this very end.
The highest casualty rate was from RAF Bomber Command with 55,000 men all of which were volunteers. my father flew Lancasters.
Without destroying the heavy industry,Factories, oil refineries,transportation networks. we would not have won.
Imagine temperatures as low as minus 65 for ten hours deafening noise and vibration and sitting on top of ten tonnes of bombs,then Flak searchlights and fighters and each aeroplane flew alone! at night.
You do this 30-35 times and if you're still alive thats a complete tour.
Then you get **** on for 65 years.By each and every british government ashamed that we won.
Arthur "Butch" Harris C in C was RIGHT.
By Mark .. Posted June 1 2009 at 12:10 AM.
yes we owe the men so much and they should never be forgotten. As so many famillys will remember there relatives i remember mine, my dad was wounded on the beach at dunkirk and later served in Egpt with the 8 army before going over to france he even was there at one of the death camps. i had an uncle who went down with the hood and my uncle Tom after being sunk twice in one day swam to Algeria and was interned for the rest of the war,my uncle Jeff was in tanks and had 3 shot from under him. I wish now that i am older to talk to them but they are all gone, so it is a real privallage to liston to men like Richard Todd who can still make us proud of every man and woman who served and gave there lives. god bless them one and all.
By bill pennington.. Posted May 31 2009 at 10:13 PM.
Fantastic story! Well done, NOTW.
Great to see Richard Todd - long a favourite - still looking sprightly.
They say that young people today are short of role models? Bah!
By Steve Morson .. Posted May 31 2009 at 8:26 PM.
We have a lot to thank these brave men for - not just our lives - but FREEDOM - that`s what they fought for and that`s what they achieved. I take my hat off to them, every single last one - god bless them. Makes you proud to be british !
By lollipop31.. Posted May 31 2009 at 6:07 PM.
While serving on HMS Campbeltown in 2004 we were in Caen for the 60th celebrations providing personnel for all the parades and rememberance services etc. We came across two old paras who were being restrained by local gendarmes near the Pegasus Bridge service. We asked what the trouble was and it turned out that the two old soldiers had not been invited to the service and so were not allowed in. After a quiet chat the gendarmes let us take the old boys back into town. As we left one of them shouted "Good job we didn't need an invitation in 1944 isn't it!" and then turned smartly about and marched to our bus. That evening we had a brilliant time chatting to these guys and their mates in the pub and it remains ones of the best nights in my (so far) 25 year RN career.
By Phil H.. Posted May 31 2009 at 5:40 PM.
Thank you soldiers of WW II. Thank you Brits for holding out until the U.S. finally got involved. Thank you all Allied soldiers for preserving our freedom.
By Dick Winningstad.. Posted May 31 2009 at 5:01 PM.
Thank you all. If it wasn't for you the brave and heroic member of the armed forces.We would be writing most of our letters in German.
No, THANK YOU. You should never be forgotten, nor allowed to be forgotten. No matter what government or political correctness is preached. Those of you in the 1940-1945 conflict should never be allowed to be forgotten, daily.
Once again THANK YOU!.
By A Winsley.. Posted May 31 2009 at 4:20 PM.
I have red and heard so many stories re the war some very gruesome and so many funny now. My dad was a padre with 6th airborne and he told me he had set up in a house for communion next morning with his boys ( as he called them)
They were in the roof space. Next morning he came to give communion and all his vessles were gone. During the night the gerries were in and stole them. The boys couldn`t do anything as they were in hiding. He has passed on but i still have great stories he told us. Also he had to bury some r/c soldiers as the priest could not be found. He had run away and was hiding!!!!
By viv taylor.. Posted May 31 2009 at 4:17 PM.
just want to add my admiration and appreciation to all the other comments. We owe so much to this generation- what a treasure we are losing. And thanks to the News of the World for highlighting this particular Gentleman, another unappreciated national treasure.
By jenny taylor.. Posted May 31 2009 at 3:15 PM.
Thanks RT and all the men and women who gave their lives. I too am the son of a ww11 serviceman who fought in the invasion. He told me of all the mates he lost and how they asked for nothing in return. Before he passed away recently he said we should have been shooting the politicians not the germans!
By bob walker.. Posted May 31 2009 at 1:59 PM.
As a veteran myself,not WW2,& occasional student of WW2 history,I congratulate NOTW for publishing this article.I thought that Mr. Todd had passed on,happily that is not so.As a youngster,I primarily remember him starring in Walt Disney's Robin Hood & I still have the record album of that movie on 78's.His performance in "Longest Day" was probably based on his actual exploits.Best scene,waiting for Lord Lovett;"hold until relieved".Excellent informative article.BTW, I was a Pathfinder in the U.S.Army,although several decades later.
By Bob in Illinois.. Posted May 31 2009 at 12:42 PM.
pick up the book by stephen ambrose
i too agree it should be made into a drama
or film lets never forget that the cost of
freedom is never free we owe so much
to my grandads & Mr Todds generation
By lee bate.. Posted May 31 2009 at 12:29 PM.
to the brave and fallen soldiers of d-day you shall never be forgotten it makes you proud to be British about 25 years ago when i was 9 i had the greatest pleasure of meeting major John Howard personally and had post cards signed by him, truly its a day i will never forget as he was a true gentleman and very hospitable unfortunately he died some years ago.
Even today the brave men and women of our armed forces fight to protect our identity on foreign soils truly we should honor all our serviceman past and present as without them Britain would become slaves.
By craig williams.. Posted May 31 2009 at 10:19 AM.
Who Needs Band of Brothers the exploits of Our Airborne troops should be celebrated! As someone who goes to living history events I am sick to death seeing British people dressed as US Airborne have pride in the Acheivements of the Parachute Regt, Ox & Bucks LI, Royal Ulster Rifles et al. Even Steve Ambrose thought it a good enough story to record. There's a Book that should be made into a Film or TV series.
By MArk.. Posted May 31 2009 at 8:12 AM.
Many thanks to Mr. Todd, who I very much enjoyed in the movies, for what he and his buddies, who fought for all of us, did to defeat tyranny and evil in WWII. Sincere appreciation from an American who recognizes the struggle involved to achieve Victoryas I'm named for an Uncle who was killed in the Pacific War.
Ocala, FL USA
By Richard Baker.. Posted May 31 2009 at 5:15 AM.
Thank you and may God bless all those who fought for freedom. I am the soon of a WWII vet and words can not express my gratitude and admiration I have for all those brave young men. I pray to god that the lessons hard fought and learned are not wasted as it seems to be happening today. Again I salute all of you.
By John Ferrante.. Posted May 31 2009 at 2:34 AM.
OMG. All these guys (inc famous film stars and my father) risked their lives for our futures, without question or hesitation. Yet we have been betrayed by our politicians ever since we had a Labour Government?
By Graham.. Posted May 31 2009 at 2:19 AM.
Myself and other serving servicemen are comencing a sponsored cycle from Sword beach to Berlin on the 6th to commemorate 65 years. Our website is NB65.co.uk.
We will all leave sword beach and proceed to Pegasus Bridge where the first team will start our journey ending up in Berlin on the 13th.
We do Remember
By Andy Gillon.. Posted May 31 2009 at 1:25 AM.