Ronald and George Rhodes Ronald Rhodes was in 8 Platoon of the 13th Parachute Regiment (Lancs) during World War II. He landed in Ranville, Normandy on the eve of D-Day. Some days later, he was badly wounded and eventually evacuated home. He did not speak about his experiences, until he was asked why he was so emotional while watching the annual Remembrance Day parade. The question had been put to him by Michael and Jack Woodland, the twin children of his niece Christine. Ronnie sent them a letter by way of explanation and an account of those days in June 1944 and they are transcribed below.   Dear Michael and Jack After speaking to you last night, I could not sleep and though I did not give you much information on what you had asked me. So I wrote this out in the form of a Diary to the best of my recollections. But you must always remember that on Remembrance Sunday that the men marching past the cenotaph you will see on television ….. are not smiling because most of them, like myself, are close to tears. I have no personal hatred for Germans, only for the foolish leaders of countries who declare war for a matter of pride. I agree that some of the German people did terrible things, but at the behest of their leaders. War is a terrible happening and we should beget leaders that know this. What happened to me and thousands of others is what made me become a socialist and try to help all my fellow humans, With all my love Uncle Ronnie

 

June 4th
To Air Field Loading Planes ready to leave for France to-night, drop-off time to be 11-30 PM. Stood down at 2-00 on the 5th. Drop postponed.

June 5th
Too worked up to sleep. Back to the Airfield at 12-o’clock to load Plane again. Load the Kit Bag that I will jump with attached to my leg. Contents: 10 Anti Tank mines; Pick & Shovel; a length of steel tube (3 ft) 2" Dia; 2 belts of Vickers M/c Gun Ammo; 10 Sten Gun Magazines; 10 Bren Gun Magazines; Radio Set. Total Wt: 175ilbs.

On my person: 5lbs Plastic explosive; six hand grenades; 1 belt of Vickers M/c Gun Ammo; 50 Rounds Rifle; 10 Sten Gun Mags.

No sleep now for five days. Embark on plane, take off 10.30, I to be first out because of the kit bag.

Being no. 1, I was stood at the door when we passed over the French coast. The anti-aircraft fire was very heavy. I could see it coming up towards us, some of it going through the plane.

Jumped at approx 11.30. The …… dispatcher had not fastened the kit bag to my leg proper, as I jumped it slid off my leg and though fastened to my harness by a 5/8 dia rope which snapped. Landed in a tree. Knocked out for a while, how long, who knows. Regained consciousness dangling about 12ft off the ground. I made for the rendezvous in the direction of Ranville Church Steeple. All 31 of us made it. Prepare to defend the landing zone for the main landings at 00.30 hrs D-Day.

June 6th
On my third day without sleep. We entered Ranville and our Platoon given the task of guarding a relief cross road over which it is expected the German tanks will come at us. We come under heavy mortar attacks all day. We suffer our first causalities. Our officer lost his right arm, one of five sergeants his left leg. SWINDELL, ORREL, CLOUSTON, PRINCE and HIGNETT killed.

June 7th
…… WILKENSON and myself and the Padre on burial duties in the church grounds. WILKENSON and myself dig a mass grave approx 30ft by 7ft by 3ft deep in which we placed 50 bodies over which a burial service was held by the three of us whilst under mortar fire. Had my first sleep for three days. I was allowed four hours.

June 8th
First food arrived at dinner time. I was given the job of preparing it. In a shelled building, there was a set boiler which I scrubbed out with sand and a brick, then filled with water of which when boiled I brew up. Refilled the boiler, pinched some onions out of a field close by, chopped them up, put in the water and then emptied all the cans into it. Sausages, McConichies, rice pudding, bacon, everything and brought it to the boil. The blokes could not get enough of this.

Five more killed today.

June 9th
Under heavy attacks all day. Mortar and artillery fire burst all around us.

One chap who had hung in a high tree since the drop which we were not allowed to help because of snipers seemed to have died today. No more noise from him.

June 10th
Our platoon ordered to try and clear enemies from the dropping zone. 20 of us set out, KIRBY and myself being the two men in the lead, after about a hour to the drop zone, our sergeant being killed on the way. Came under fire from the direction of the three gliders. KIRBY covered me while I went to try and clear them. The next thing I knew, I am in a ditch where I had been dragged by a platoon member.

I had a useless left arm and bullet through my chest. KIRBY had been shot through both eyes. I somehow got back to our first aid post and remember very little about the next three or four days.

Only one person came out of that episode without a scratch, a fellow called THOMAS. 10 were killed, the rest wounded.