About those "rough men on the walls who let us sleep well in our beds" (apologies for mangling the quote)...I've noticed that the ones who have done the most, seem to talk the least. A life truly well lived. Nicely done. Very, very nicely done. RIP, you have earned it.
CDR thank you for the mention of Robert E. Lee and Charlemagne!
Stature of 6’5” does seem “On Guard” appropriate! I do enjoy watching Fencing!
Our New York Turn Verein, Lexington and 85th over the Jager House, taught Fencing, as I recall … 1959… At our Annual Dinners, the Gymnasts and Fencers sat. We, little ones, were called the Fox Hounds. Our job was to fill their beef steins. It’s true, E. David Luria didn’t talk about his Berlin “De-Coding” post WWII service. David devoted himself to Architectural Photography. Only after I completed a couple of courses did I directly ask, “Did you serve? Where and in what capacity?” My mind had to digest that information and store into proper shelving, closing the door. CDR did I read “Director’s cut” Lord of the Rings? The Hobbit coffee table book was my pride and joy, 1980? Christopher Lee was a phenomenal actor! I loved getting “Lost” inside the narrative, awaiting “Rescue”! A toast to our shipmates! Memories never forgotten! Nurse Jane
Not to belittle my fellow Americans but I've always had a certain affinity to the British exploits and sacrifices especially during WW2. Your armed forces getting pummeled and your cities being bombed daily.
The days before drones, night vision, reliable radar and radio, guaranteed air support or medevac.
Your only guarantee is being a master of your craft with wits, guile and the stiff upper lip in abundance.
Your mind is your primary weapon and Sir Christoper Lee exemplified that in spades.
Peter Jackson was instructing Christopher Lee on how to stab someone in the back with a knife. Christopher Lee replied something to the effect of, "Young man, I have killed many men, I know how it is done."
believable, but I think my version fits the film sequence better. IIRC, Saruman never stabs anybody, but is stabbed by Wormtongue, thus Jackson telling Lee how to moan, and Lee telling him, that he knows exactly the 'harumpf' that the victim utters, fits better with the facts, than Jackson telling Lee how he should be stabbed.
Lee could have easily stuck to the details of his actual, honorable service record, yet he chose to either embellish or fail to correct others when inferences were made about that service record.
Of all the people I have personally known that have “done stuff,” the most I’ve ever heard them speak about to people who weren’t there is along the lines of, “I guarded sand in the desert.”
Sal, you need to quit blogging and go into movie script writing since it seems that every other FBF you post is very fertile ground for a blockbuster "kick the sh!t outta the bad guys, live to tell about it, but never really do the talking thing". And this one ranks right up near the top.
My understanding is that the LRDG preceded the SAS, and teamed with them to provide 'taxi service' after the first parachuting SAS disaster (21 of 55 men survived). Later the SAS recruited (stole) some of the LRDG navigators and developed their own mission set using the new fangled Willys Jeeps with modified cooling systems and 3-4 MGs, rather than the LRDG, which used 15 and 30 CWT 2 wheel drive trucks. 2 wheel drive used less fuel. After the Desert war was won, the LRDG was employed in the Aegean
The LRDG had a completely different role then that SAS . They provided long range reconnaissance to 8th Army. With the occasional foray into more energetic actions . But by and large raiding was left others.
The SAS were long range strike. The butcher and bolt boys.
There were a whole bunch of shady characters involved with the desert campaigns. You had the of course the LRDPG later the LRDG ,the SAS of course, the Army run Special Boat Service. And of course "Popski's Private Army" whose offical nomenclature escapes me ar the moment. And a incredible range of others .
Read a really interesting narrative recently of SBS activity in the Aegean mostly. I think it was Raiders from the Sea: The Story of the Special Boat Service in WWII
Your backstory on Chris Lee resonated with me. Especially the revelation that Lee caught a boat to Finland before joining the RAF in 1940. Finland certainly seemed the place to be, due to its long standing conflict with the USSR over Karelia (and the Russian Bear's intent to ultimately subsume the "Susi" Finns into the Soviet Union). Of course, had Lee desired to get involved against the Nazis rather than help Finland duke it out with Stalin, Finland was NOT an opportune venue, given the coerced alliance with Germany that took place in the early 'Continuation War' against Soviet Russia (and continued till 1944). The fiercely independent Finns were never completely happy with their Nazi alliance, no more so than with their long standing resistance against Russian territorial incursions. I had a wonderful experience when in the 1990s I was a guest of the Finnish Research Establishment to tour their FAF installations and also take in the major battle sites dating back to the early 40s. It was a marvelous opportunity to become acquainted with the Finns and their fascinating culture...an experience I still look back on today with relish. They were still using Soviet hardware (MiG-21s) at the time, alongside their Swedish Drakens, so this gave me a chance to make comparisons with Soviet versus Western aerial combat situations. I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to the Finns and had Lee remained in Finland, I'm certain his life would have been equally full to the brim with remarkable accomplishments and experiences. By the way, when I addressed the FAF Academy Cadets about the Convair F-106 'Six' at the formal mess that evening, the startlingly young, soon-to-be pilots reminded me of that famous Finnish phrase, "Ala puhu Pasca!" ("Don't talk sh*t!"). I've noticed that you never violate that prime dictum, CDR S! Good on ya and keep your commentaries coming!
Please imagine … If our whales could dance…? Would it be as beautiful as this?
The color of their skating costumes is “Teal”.
Shipmates, I danced on ice Wohlman Ice Rink, Central Park NYC. ?1966
At our USNA. I danced with my little boy - BOWIE Ice Show; Tsarovich Costume, I made for him, age only about 4 years old, 2002. Now he’s a USAF Pilot C-17 …
That's an epic life
Nice when FBF isn't posthumous. Outstanding servicemen can survive.
About those "rough men on the walls who let us sleep well in our beds" (apologies for mangling the quote)...I've noticed that the ones who have done the most, seem to talk the least. A life truly well lived. Nicely done. Very, very nicely done. RIP, you have earned it.
my understanding, it was something like:
"Gentle folk sleep peacefully in their beds, because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. "
CDR thank you for the mention of Robert E. Lee and Charlemagne!
Stature of 6’5” does seem “On Guard” appropriate! I do enjoy watching Fencing!
Our New York Turn Verein, Lexington and 85th over the Jager House, taught Fencing, as I recall … 1959… At our Annual Dinners, the Gymnasts and Fencers sat. We, little ones, were called the Fox Hounds. Our job was to fill their beef steins. It’s true, E. David Luria didn’t talk about his Berlin “De-Coding” post WWII service. David devoted himself to Architectural Photography. Only after I completed a couple of courses did I directly ask, “Did you serve? Where and in what capacity?” My mind had to digest that information and store into proper shelving, closing the door. CDR did I read “Director’s cut” Lord of the Rings? The Hobbit coffee table book was my pride and joy, 1980? Christopher Lee was a phenomenal actor! I loved getting “Lost” inside the narrative, awaiting “Rescue”! A toast to our shipmates! Memories never forgotten! Nurse Jane
All that, and got through life without a collection of wives.
"Because he dodges bullets, Avi!"
One of the best flicks ever !!
Class Act.
Not to belittle my fellow Americans but I've always had a certain affinity to the British exploits and sacrifices especially during WW2. Your armed forces getting pummeled and your cities being bombed daily.
The days before drones, night vision, reliable radar and radio, guaranteed air support or medevac.
Your only guarantee is being a master of your craft with wits, guile and the stiff upper lip in abundance.
Your mind is your primary weapon and Sir Christoper Lee exemplified that in spades.
apparently during the filming of RotK or TT, Lee coached Peter Jackson on the sound a man makes when struck in the back with a stiletto.
The anecdote, as I heard it was something like:
Peter Jackson was instructing Christopher Lee on how to stab someone in the back with a knife. Christopher Lee replied something to the effect of, "Young man, I have killed many men, I know how it is done."
believable, but I think my version fits the film sequence better. IIRC, Saruman never stabs anybody, but is stabbed by Wormtongue, thus Jackson telling Lee how to moan, and Lee telling him, that he knows exactly the 'harumpf' that the victim utters, fits better with the facts, than Jackson telling Lee how he should be stabbed.
Point taken.
This: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DB806yWsXcT/
Seems to be from the horse's mouth.
Looks like the truth is a bit of a mashup between what you and I had.
I heard an earlier version of a similar story involving Sterling Hayden
Lee could have easily stuck to the details of his actual, honorable service record, yet he chose to either embellish or fail to correct others when inferences were made about that service record.
So.... he was like a SEAL, in other words?
Hey now! :)
Some of us are old enough to remember what the folks out of Little Creek were like before Rogue Warrior.
Even better: SEALSASSBS Delta Ranger. Top of the cool guy list.
Of all the people I have personally known that have “done stuff,” the most I’ve ever heard them speak about to people who weren’t there is along the lines of, “I guarded sand in the desert.”
Sal, you need to quit blogging and go into movie script writing since it seems that every other FBF you post is very fertile ground for a blockbuster "kick the sh!t outta the bad guys, live to tell about it, but never really do the talking thing". And this one ranks right up near the top.
FB salute.
My understanding is that the LRDG preceded the SAS, and teamed with them to provide 'taxi service' after the first parachuting SAS disaster (21 of 55 men survived). Later the SAS recruited (stole) some of the LRDG navigators and developed their own mission set using the new fangled Willys Jeeps with modified cooling systems and 3-4 MGs, rather than the LRDG, which used 15 and 30 CWT 2 wheel drive trucks. 2 wheel drive used less fuel. After the Desert war was won, the LRDG was employed in the Aegean
The LRDG had a completely different role then that SAS . They provided long range reconnaissance to 8th Army. With the occasional foray into more energetic actions . But by and large raiding was left others.
The SAS were long range strike. The butcher and bolt boys.
There were a whole bunch of shady characters involved with the desert campaigns. You had the of course the LRDPG later the LRDG ,the SAS of course, the Army run Special Boat Service. And of course "Popski's Private Army" whose offical nomenclature escapes me ar the moment. And a incredible range of others .
I think their most important and irreplaceable missions were "road watch"
completely passive observation of the main coastal road, deep deep in Rommel's rear. Counting reinforcements and supply trucks.
When I was a sprog of 17 I found myself joining learning the intricacies of what was called "mud recce " jeep mounted reconnaissance.
I had a officer who who always felt we should emulate LRDG.
No. 1 Demolition Squadron
Full circle, Chris Lee was an LNO to the PPA for a while in Africa
Read a really interesting narrative recently of SBS activity in the Aegean mostly. I think it was Raiders from the Sea: The Story of the Special Boat Service in WWII
Your backstory on Chris Lee resonated with me. Especially the revelation that Lee caught a boat to Finland before joining the RAF in 1940. Finland certainly seemed the place to be, due to its long standing conflict with the USSR over Karelia (and the Russian Bear's intent to ultimately subsume the "Susi" Finns into the Soviet Union). Of course, had Lee desired to get involved against the Nazis rather than help Finland duke it out with Stalin, Finland was NOT an opportune venue, given the coerced alliance with Germany that took place in the early 'Continuation War' against Soviet Russia (and continued till 1944). The fiercely independent Finns were never completely happy with their Nazi alliance, no more so than with their long standing resistance against Russian territorial incursions. I had a wonderful experience when in the 1990s I was a guest of the Finnish Research Establishment to tour their FAF installations and also take in the major battle sites dating back to the early 40s. It was a marvelous opportunity to become acquainted with the Finns and their fascinating culture...an experience I still look back on today with relish. They were still using Soviet hardware (MiG-21s) at the time, alongside their Swedish Drakens, so this gave me a chance to make comparisons with Soviet versus Western aerial combat situations. I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to the Finns and had Lee remained in Finland, I'm certain his life would have been equally full to the brim with remarkable accomplishments and experiences. By the way, when I addressed the FAF Academy Cadets about the Convair F-106 'Six' at the formal mess that evening, the startlingly young, soon-to-be pilots reminded me of that famous Finnish phrase, "Ala puhu Pasca!" ("Don't talk sh*t!"). I've noticed that you never violate that prime dictum, CDR S! Good on ya and keep your commentaries coming!
The human element always has the potential to trump a gold plated technological element.
In a maritime vein, his acting career included the ill-fated Spanish Captain of La Natividad against Gregory Peck in “Captain Horatio Hornblower”.
But one of a generation of men who did things in their youth, and had long lives ahead.
SIR ! when a knighthood truly stood for something beyond the pale.
Marvelous man, we miss him yet, and will for decades to come.
Yes please.
https://youtu.be/MNrGkoOz8PU
Theme is Movement on Water
Music is “The Whale”
French Olympic Skating: Ice Dancing
Shipmates…
Please imagine … If our whales could dance…? Would it be as beautiful as this?
The color of their skating costumes is “Teal”.
Shipmates, I danced on ice Wohlman Ice Rink, Central Park NYC. ?1966
At our USNA. I danced with my little boy - BOWIE Ice Show; Tsarovich Costume, I made for him, age only about 4 years old, 2002. Now he’s a USAF Pilot C-17 …
Shipmates, we grow older and still
Remember our “Good Times”, yes?
God Bless you & our America! Nurse Jane