Bates, Thomas J, Jean Brisset and Eric Lummis, Normandy: the Search for Sidney.Bates Bates , Katherine Lee 1859-1929. American educator and writer best known for her poem "America the Beautiful," written in 1893 and revised in 1904 and 1911. Books, PO Box 5023, Berkely CA 94705-0023, USA, 2000. Hard cover with dust jacket dust jacket n. 1. A removable paper cover used to protect the binding of a book. Also called dust cover. 2. A cardboard sleeve in which a phonograph record is packaged. , 201 pp, 160 plus b & w drawings, photos, maps, 22 x 29 cm. US$30.00 plus post & pack. This is a remarkable book for two reasons--its format and the storyline that traces the heroic deed of Corporal Sidney Bates Sidney Bates VC (June 14, 1921 - August 8, 1944) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. VC. The book is bilingual, written in English and French. The book traces the movement of Bates' regiment from Sword Beach Sword Beach was the codename of one of the five main landing beaches in Operation Neptune, the initial assault phase of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944. to the field where Bates displayed remarkable heroism. British and French characters are woven into this story to make it one of the outstanding stories about D Day and the Normandy campaign. Though not written in the style of Fuller or Hastings, this very powerful and emotive book makes the events of nearly 60 years ago come alive as we experience war through the combat episodes of the ordinary, or rather no so ordinary, Tommy. Sidney Bates made the ultimate sacrifice by single-handedly tackling 60 or so Panzer grenadiers who were threatening to overrun the battalion HQ. The last man of his section standing, Bates took up a Bren from a fallen gunner, charged the enemy and broke the attack. In 1986, a monument was erected nearby to tell of Sidney Bates' deed: `On August 6th 1944 during the Battle of Perrier Ridge in the field behind this monument Corporal Sidney Bates aged 23 years, of B Company 1st Battalion The Royal Norfolk Regiment The Royal Norfolk Regiment, originally formed as the Norfolk Regiment, was an infantry regiment of the British Army. The Norfolk Regiment was created on 1 July 1881 as the county regiment of Norfolk. fell mortally wounded in action A casualty category applicable to a hostile casualty, other than the victim of a terrorist activity, who has incurred an injury due to an external agent or cause. The term encompasses all kinds of wounds and other injuries incurred in action, whether there is a piercing of the body, as in against 10th SS Panzer Division for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.' As a footnote, I might add that during World War 2, no British or Commonwealth regiment was awarded as many VCs as the Norfolks. |
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