'Channel Dash' Memorial - 22 September
- 20 September 2012 21:49192392Last night I actually posted on the thread that the monument was made in China, which accounted for the spelling, but then deleted it after a few minutes for lack of proof.
Now the confirmation from Howard that yes, it comes from China.
Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 20 September 2012 22:08192396the way of the world, the budget allowed forced the designer to utilise chinese wage rates.
the extra overheads caused by the misprints doesn't come close to making it worthwhile to do the work here. - 21 September 2012 00:45192407Well fair enough.
So where would the War Memorial on Western Heights be manufactured?
No pun meant towards China Gateway International of-course.
But still, a lesson could be learnt by doing a good old spell-check prior to commencing the project.Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 21 September 2012 07:18192410More on....The Channel Dash.....from the Royal Navy direct...many thanks to them.
The Operation was planned by Admiral Bertram Ramsay in the tunnels below Dover Castle and at the forefront were six Fairey Swordfish bi-planes with a total of 18 Fleet Air Arm aviators that launched from RAF Manston near Ramsgate to intercept and attack the powerful German battleships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen which had left port in Brest, France undetected the day before to return to Germany.
Supporting in the attack were MTBs from Dover, shore batteries of the Royal Artillery, destroyers from Harwich and aircraft of Fighter and Bomber Command RAF.
The three battleships were protected by an accompanying flotilla of some further 50 warships of varying sizes.
Due to the surprise element of the movement of the German battleships, the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force were on the back foot and, despite a lack of full air cover the Swordfish. under the command of Lt Cdr Eugene Esmonde VC DSO, flew to almost certain destruction, managing to inflict relatively minor damage to their German targets before being shot down.
Only five men from the total of 18 who undertook the mission survived and only one of these survivors was uninjured. The bravery and self-sacrifice of these young aviators was noted both at home and by the German forces. The memorial also marks the sacrifice from the crew of HMS Worcester and RAF airmen. The theme of the unveiling is Recognition, Remembrance and Reconciliation.
To coincide with the dedication of the memorial and as mentioned on the Doverforum frontpage, HMS Kent is opening her gangway to members of the public.
From 9.30am-12 noon and then 3-5pm, the ship will welcome visitors on board to view some of the equipment onboard a modern warship and also have the chance to talk to the crew about their experiences in the Royal Navy.email: dover7@msn.com - 21 September 2012 07:27192412The bravery and sacrifice is undeniable PaulB, but with no other support - as you said the Navy, Airforce and Army were caught on the back-foot, surely it was a pointless exercise: "Into the Valley of Death, rode the 600", or in this case, "Into the Valley of Death, flew the 18".
Roger - 21 September 2012 10:32192425Much has been written on the Channel Dash (that the Germans named Operation Cerberus). So often Hitler's military plans can be described as nothing short of crackpot, but in this case it largely worked - despite extreme scepticism from his Naval High Command.
Our forces certainly were caught on the back foot, mainly because no-one expected them to negotiate the Straits in daylight. Of the 32 Coastal Forces vessels available 27 were re-assigned elsewhere, and the low cloud cover would have severly hampered operations by RAF Bomber Command - not to mention the overwhelming cover given to the fleet by the Luftwaffe.
What the Fleet Air Arm and Coastal Forces did in the Straits of Dover deserves the highest admiration. I quote three testimonials:-
Admiral Bertram Ramsay wrote: "In my opinion the gallant sortie of these six Swordfish aircraft constitutes one of the finest exhibitions of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty the war had ever witnessed."
The Commander of the German fleet, Vice-Admiral Otto Ciliax said: "The mothball attack of a handful of ancient planes, piloted by men whose bravery surpasses any other action by either side that day".
Commander Helmuth Giessler, the navigating officer of the Scharnhorst said: "Such bravery was devoted and incredible. One was privileged to witness it." - 21 September 2012 10:44192427#63 the War Memorial is nothing to do wih CGI Alexander.....Been nice knowing you :)
- 21 September 2012 11:55192432HMS Kent now here and nestling by the Prince of Wales pier. Here until monday.
Picture on the frontpage.
Just to reproduce this from post 64 again so those interested wont miss out on Saturday...
"
To coincide with the dedication of the memorial and as mentioned on the Doverforum frontpage, HMS Kent is opening her gangway to members of the public.
From 9.30am-12 noon and then 3-5pm, the ship will welcome visitors on board to view some of the equipment onboard a modern warship and also have the chance to talk to the crew about their experiences in the Royal Navy.
"email: dover7@msn.com - 21 September 2012 12:48192435HMS Kent approaching Dover this morning:
- 21 September 2012 12:49192436
I took this one from St Martins battery.
Had a great idea, that big gun on her - Burlington House? Hmmm ..............There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok". - 21 September 2012 12:59192438
....and another.There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok". - 21 September 2012 13:18192442
Just one more.There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok". - 21 September 2012 13:29192443It's a beautiful Memorial, good to know that the corrections will be completed for tomorrows unveiling.
The HMS Kent is very impressive, it's nice to see the photos of it coming into Dover today both on our front page and above, you guys and of course Jacqui are right on the ball - 21 September 2012 13:49192446There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
- 21 September 2012 14:42192454The German warships were no doubt sent to the Scandinavian area to harass British war and merchant ships carrying supplies to the port of Arkhangelsk in Russia. The losses of British sailors sailing in the Arctic convoys were horrendous, and another example of sheer bravery and determination on the part of Britain's servicemen.
The RN swordfish pilots would have been aware of the objective of their mission, to prevent even just one warship getting to the North Sea to confront the Arctic convoys.
They put the Country first and headed into action against an overwhelming force, knowing they were unlikely to come back.Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 21 September 2012 15:22192459A few more pictures.
- Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
21 September 2012 15:29192460poped down there this morning about 11'ish to watch the kent come in and berth on the pier.then poped over to see the memorial and the fuss of spelling mistakes,mind you it looked inpressive.
had a chat with the chap who wasent inpressed with the chap who posted the pictures with the spelling mistakes,threataning to hang him by the genatils from the highest tree in dover if he finds out who done it.
ouch. - 21 September 2012 15:30192462great array of pictures all round, would imagine there will be queues of people wanting to take a look onboard tomorrow.
- Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,894
21 September 2012 15:37192466That "chap" should be ashamed of himself
.
Would he prefer the memorial was known for the spelling mistakes rather than what it represents, especially with all the big wigs who are coming to the unveiling ceremony able to see them.-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
------------------------------------------------------------------- - 21 September 2012 15:40192467Superb set of pix there Ian
Yes Howard, I bet there will crowds eager to get on this great ship.
