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G4EBT > FILMS 04.11.04 18:47l 54 Lines 2134 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 033384G4EBT
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Subj: "Saving Pte Ryan" The facts.
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From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : FILMS@WW
There's a tendency in war films for filmgoers to see them not as gung-ho
works of fiction, but as factual "docudramas", albeit there's usually a
germ of an idea which acts as a catalyst. Saving Private Ryan is a case in
point, though it was never claimed by the film-makers that the film was
factual.
However, the true events that inspired the story are just as sad, and
worthy of a film. Perhaps because of the distance to travel to Europe
from the USA as compared to the short hop from the UK, whereas
commonwealth war graves are situated where the battles were, American dead
are for
mostly buried in the huge American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer,
Normandy.
That's where the graves of two of the four soldier brothers who inspired
Saving Private Ryan are located. These are 2 Lt Preston T, and Sgnt Robert
J Niland of New York. Robert died on D Day, 6 June 1944, and Preston the
day after. (They're buried side by side). A third brother Sgt Edward
Niland a pilot in the Army Air Force was killed in Burma, and their
mother and father received three telegrams on the same day.
The story goes that the fourth brother, Fritz, had heard that one of his
brothers had been killed was searching for confirmation. He spoke to a
Priest, Father Francis Sampson, and explained his family circumstances -
that all four brothers were soldiers.
The Priest related the story to Fritz's commanding officer in the 101st
Airborne Divisions at Normandy, as a result of which it was decided
to repatriate Fritz to spare his family further anguish. He's "Private
Ryan". He as flown to London the same day on his first leg of the journey
back to New York.
It later transpired that the brother Edward, who it was thought had died
in Burma, had in fact survived, so two made it back home.
With 11/11 only a few days away, I thought this might be topical and hope
it's of interest.
73 - David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
Eddystone User Group Member
G-QRP Club Member No: 1339
QTH: Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
Message timed: 12:48 on 2004-Nov-04
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