Norwich knitted D-Day display cancelled over safety fears
The American Library is a living memorial to nearly 7,000 personnel of the 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, United States Army Air Forces, who were based in East Anglia during World War Two and were killed in action, as well as those who survived.The display was created by about 180 crafters from across the world, including the United States, Australia, Canada and France and recreates 80 scenes from the 1944 invasion.The authority said it sincerely apologised for the cancellation and wanted to "express our deep regret for the disappointment" it had caused. Its statement added: "All parties involved explored a range of alternatives, including other spaces in the library, and other sites in Norwich."However, no suitable option could be found at such short notice that would do justice to this powerful visual display."The exhibition has been on display in France before touring Britain, and is due to go on show in the United States in April.It is due to go on display at Peterborough Cathedral from 4 March to 31 March.
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BBC News
17 hours ago
- BBC News
Croatian ultra-nationalist mega-gig exposes divided society
A "neo-fascist Croatian Woodstock" or patriotic, anti-establishment fun?Last month's mega-gig by the ultra-nationalist singer Thompson – the stage name of Marko Perkovic – has dramatically exposed the polarised divisions deep within Croatian shone a spotlight on wildly differing interpretations of both the country's struggle for independence in the 1990s, and the history of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH), a World War Two-era Nazi puppet would argue that the concert was anything other than huge. Thompson's management claimed that more than half a million tickets for the show at Zagreb Hippodrome were sold. The actual attendance was considerably lower – but still in the hundreds of enormous crowd enthusiastically joined in when Thompson launched into his opening number, Čavoglave Battalion. To his cry of "Za dom" ("for homeland"), the audience roared back "Spremni!" ("ready!"). MPs from the governing HDZ party were among those chanting along. This chant has outraged opposition parties and organisations working for human rights and ethnic and regional reconciliation. They point out that "Za dom, spremni" originated with the anti-Semitic, Nazi-allied Ustasha organization during World War Two – and that Croatia's Constitutional Court has ruled that the phrase "is an Ustasha salute of the Independent State of Croatia [which is] not in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia"."This has opened Pandora's box," says Tena Banjeglav of Documenta – Centre for Dealing with the Past, an organisation which focuses on reconciliation by taking a factual approach to both World War Two and the more recent war of independence."You've now got politicians in parliament screaming 'Za dom, spremni'. On the streets, kids are singing not only that song, but other songs Thompson used to sing which glorify mass crimes in World War Two," she says."The government is creating an atmosphere when this is a positive thing. It is creating a wave of nationalism which could explode into physical violence."The government has in fact downplayed the chanting at the concert. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic described it as "part of Thompson's repertoire" and posed for a photo with the singer the day before the Zagreb gig. Conservative commentator Matija Štahan believes that Thompson's time serving as a soldier during the war of independence gives him the right to use "Za dom, spremni" in his work."It is an authentic outcry for freedom against aggression," he says."Many journalists in the West say it's the Croatian version of 'Heil Hitler' – but it would be best to describe it as the Croatian version of [the Ukrainian national salute] 'Slava Ukraini'. "Both rose to prominence in the context of World War Two – which was a war for many small nations who wanted their own independent states," Mr Štahan says."Symbols change their meaning – and just like 'Slava Ukraini', 'Za dom, spremni' also means something different. Today, it's an anti-establishment nationalist slogan. It's against the Croatian politically-correct post-communist political elite. Young people want to shout it as something that's subversive."This interpretation cuts no ice with the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR), a regional organisation which works for reconciliation among the younger generations in the Western Balkans."It is clearly a fascist slogan," says YIHR's director in Croatia, Mario Mažić."As an EU member state, Croatia should be an example for the rest of the region, but it has not dealt with the past. It identifies with the losing side in World War Two, doesn't recognise it waged an unjust war in Bosnia and refuses to acknowledge systematic crimes against Serbs." Thompson staged another huge show at the start of August in Krajina, the stronghold of Croatian Serbs during the war of independence. That performance was part of the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of Operation Storm – the military battle which ended Croatia's war of independence from Yugoslavia in the 1990s, but which also displaced hundreds of thousands of recent years, the government had started to include commemorations for Serb victims. But reconciliation now appears to have a lower priority than promoting nationalist sentiment, with a military parade in Zagreb the showpiece of this year's events."All these things became more visible since the UK left the European Union – because when it comes to anti-fascist values, it can't be only up to Germany to protect them," says historian Tvrtko Jakovina believes this is convenient for a government which seems to have no answers to the numerous challenges facing contemporary Croatia."In the summer of 2025, we don't talk about the problems with our tourism, climate change, non-existent industry, higher education – or the demographic catastrophe that's looming," he says."Instead, we're talking about the military parade and two Thompson concerts."
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
BBC Breakfast host announces tragic death news in moving tribute to 'icon'
BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Boulos paid tribute to a World War II legend on Sunday A BBC Breakfast host announced tragic death news in a moving tribute to an "icon" on Sunday (August 17). During today's edition of the BBC morning show, presenters Ben Boulos and Luxmy Gopal brought viewers up to date with the latest headlines from across Britain and globally. They were accompanied in the studio by Helen Willetts, who provided regular weather updates, whilst Hugh Ferris delivered the sports round-up. Later in the programme, Ben revealed the passing of Britain's final surviving World War Two Victoria Cross holder, John Cruickshank. "Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank earned the honour for an attack on a German U-Boat while piloting a Catalina flying boat in June 1944," Ben said, reports the Express. The 105-year-old from Aberdeen was the last to pass away of 181 individuals who were awarded the nation's highest military decoration for their actions during the war. A special feature by BBC correspondent Katie Hunter was subsequently broadcast, which examined John's contributions during the Second World War. "When Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank was awarded the Victoria Cross, he was praised for his determination, fortitude and devotion to duty," Katie explained. "In 1944, Flight Lieutenant Cruickshank was the captain of a Catalina flying boat. While engaging a German U-boat over the Norweigan sea, he suffered 72 injuries. Despite that, he and his crew destroyed the submarine. His navigator, John Dixon, was killed." She went on to say: "John Cruickshank was a private man. In a 2008 interview with the BBC, he played down his actions." In the pre-recorded clip, John stated: "You don't get involved in that kind of thing thinking of any decorations or any recognition of any type. It was regarded as duty." Last year, a Catalina plane flew over John's home to commemorate 80 years since he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He marked the anniversary privately. John's friend of three decades, former RAF group captain John Kemp, said: "A very stoic aviator. A great RAF icon... He was an amazing character. Very quiet, a private person, but [he had an] excellent, terrific sense of humour. Great character." Katie concluded: "A modest man, a military man. A man whose actions are etched in history." John's family announced that he passed away last week and a private funeral would be held.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Charles & Camilla weep at VJ Day ceremony as veteran goes off script with royal tribute before telling of horrors he saw
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KING Charles and Queen Camilla were reduced to tears yesterday by a 105-year-old war veteran. Yavar Abbas, who served as an officer in the Far East and witnessed the horrors of the atom bomb at Hiroshima, was due to read from his war diary at a service to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 King Charles and Queen Camilla are reduced to tears by a 105-year-old war veteran's speech Credit: Paul Edwards 9 Red Arrows soar overhead during the VJ Day service Credit: Getty 9 King Charles and Yavar Abbas, who served as an officer in the Far East Credit: Reuters But live on national TV, Yavar switched from his talk about his experiences in the four-year battle against Japan. Instead, he paid a moving tribute to the King, hailing his bravery in the face of cancer. Yavar told 1,500 guests gathered for the Royal British Legion service of remembrance: 'I make no apology for briefly going off the script to salute my brave King who is here with his beloved Queen, in spite of the fact that he's under treatment for cancer, an alien that I share with him. 'If it provides any comfort, of which I've been rid for the past 25 years and counting. READ MORE ON VJ DAY LEST WE FORGET Charles and Camilla arrive at ceremony to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day 'I salute him for gracing this occasion, because by his presence here, he has gone a long way to make sure that his grandad's 14th Army is never given the soubriquet again of a Forgotten Army.' Tears began to flow down Camilla's cheeks, while Charles, wearing a Field Marshal's uniform, looked visibly moved as they sat with veterans and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Later, the Queen dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief and looked lovingly at her husband. The crowd cheered for Yavar, one of 33 veterans, aged 96 to 105, who attended the VJ80 commemoration at the National Memorial Arboretum near Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, to mark the day World War Two ended in 1945. Yavas, a former 2nd Lieutenant, went on to tell the audience of the horrors he witnessed in Burma as the Allied 14th Army fought a series of battles against Japanese invaders. Reading his diary entry written in February 1945, he recalled being ready to move out at first light with 'every chance of not coming back at all'. Incredible stories of the last heroes of The Forgotten Army as Britain falls silent to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day The entry goes on: 'I could have been dead twice before, but I'm still living. I would be surprised if I get a life for a third time. May God spare me.' Yavar lived to tell his tale to the world on VJ Day and when he returned to his place among the veterans in the royal box, King Charles saluted him. I make no apology for briefly going off the script to salute my brave King who is here with his beloved Queen, in spite of the fact that he's under treatment for cancer, an alien that I share with him Yavar Abbas Moments earlier, Camilla had to comfort 100-year-old John Harlow, who was visibly moved when Endeavour actor Anton Lesser told his story. John, from Exeter, Devon, served for two years as a submariner on HMS Rorqual in the Pacific fleet in World War Two, and still mourns the loss of his friend. 9 Sir Keir Starmer, the King and Queen attend the remembrance event Credit: PA 9 Heroic Brits in the Far East in 1941 9 London's Piccadilly Circus in 1945 after the end of the war Credit: Getty Anton told the service the sub's sister ship, HMS Porpoise, was attacked by a Japanese bomber. John recalled: 'None of the crew survived. War doesn't grant you the luxury of goodbyes. 'Every year on VJ Day, I think of a close friend of mine that was on board, Mark Weber. War doesn't grant you the luxury of goodbyes John Harlow "I wish today for us to remember all the crew of HMS Porpoise, Mark and all lost at sea for in remembering they live on.' The King, Queen, PM and military top brass began the service by laying wreaths at a drumhead set up on the steps of the Arboretum's spectacular Armed Forces Memorial. At noon, the veterans and guests stood in 80-degree heat for the national two-minute silence to remember the almost 30,000 British forces killed in the Far East along with 13,000 who suffered unimaginable brutality as prisoners of war. 9 Camilla shares a smile with one of the guests at the service Credit: Reuters 9 Robert Lindsay read words Britain's last two Chindits had written about their time with the famous Long Range unit fighting behind the enemy lines Credit: Reuters During the silence, eight Red Arrows screamed overhead. Celia Imrie, who fell in love with India while filming The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel movie, paid tribute to the veterans and all who served: 'We wish to share our gratitude with all who served and were imprisoned. 'Your spirit and determination in the face of unspeakable horrors will not be forgotten.' Bill Jones, 99, of Staines, Surrey, was a Fleet Air Arm Fitter on the island of Ponam. Before the service he said 'I saw the prisoners, thin as rakes, bruises everywhere.' Britain's last two Chindits, Sid Machin, 101, of Christchurch, Dorset, and Charlie Richards, 104, from Kettering, Northants, sat side-by-side. Robert Lindsay read words they had written about their time with the famous Long Range unit fighting behind the enemy lines. 'Never be forgotten' The actor read: 'As we neared the end of our time in Burma, death became an everyday occurrence, with bodies to bury almost every evening, some from enemy action, most from the appalling conditions caused by the monsoon. 'After weeks of this, it made you wonder if it would be your shoulder that death would be tapping on next. When we came back, it felt like people forgot what we did in Burma. 'We still feel proud sitting here today representing all those brave boys we fought alongside in Burma, thanks to You, Sid and Charlie, the Chindits will never be forgotten.' Later the King and Queen then spent around an hour at the reception speaking to veterans. Charles told Charlie Richards, 104, one of the last surviving Chindits, a unit that fought deep behind enemy lines: 'The things you did, I could never get over. We owe you all such a huge debt of gratitude.' TOM'S LAST VIDEO By Mike Ridley ONE of the stars of the commemoration died the day before VJ Day. Former Royal Artillery bombardier Tom Jones, 103, spoke in a video played at the service about fighting in Burma, and how a Gurkha saved his life from the Japanese. But the audience was shocked when the host, actress Celia Imrie, said Tom, of Salford in Gtr Manchester, had died on Thursday afternoon after a short illness. In May, Tom told today's schoolchildren to 'choose peace' because war was 'truly terrible'.
