My Grandfather was part of the 1st Airborne Division during World War 2
If any of you have seen the film "A Bridge Too Far" you'll be familiar with this particular regiment for being the group of maroon beret wearing British lads (led by "Sean Connery") who mostly perished whilst trying to capture the bridge at Arnhem. See here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Arnhem

All of my Grandfather's best friends were killed during that battle. How did he escape the same fate? Whilst in the queue to get into the glider moments before its take off for the mission, he was called back by a senior officer. Why? Somebody in the office was sick and they needed him to do his work.

The shot in the film of the regiment getting onto the gliders always makes my Mum well up when she knows that just a matter of seconds and someone having the flu separated her father from a battle that would see most of his friends die.
( St. Defenestration The REAL one, Thu 26 Aug 2010, 1:19, 1 reply)

thats incredible
think, you wouldnt exist...
(augsav forgot about B3ta, Thu 26 Aug 2010, 5:23, closed)