Latest news with #Allied
Time of India
21 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
World War 2 relics found in Imphal West dist
1 2 3 4 Imphal: Several World War 2 relics, believed to be left behind by soldiers involved in the Battle of Imphal in 1944, were found by labourers at Langthabal in Imphal West district on Tuesday morning, officials said. The relics were discovered four feet under the ground by labourers while digging for construction works at Langthabal. A large number of rusted empty cases, water bottles, one grenade, shells, spades, a rusted tin can, and items that are yet to be identified were recovered. Further digging is underway to recover other items, an official said. The relics are believed to be left behind by the Allied Forces, as there was an Allied camp at nearby Canchipur hills during the World War 2 period, another official said. In 1944, forces of Imperial Japan surrounded the hills of Manipur but could not overrun the massive Allied army camps set up in different parts of Imphal valley. The Battle of Imphal, along with the Battle of Kohima involving Imperial Japan, Azad Hind, and Allied Forces comprising British and Indian soldiers, is considered Britain's greatest war by the British National Army museum. The battle was a significant victory for Allied Forces and stopped the Japanese advance to then British India. More than 54,000 Japanese troops were killed or wounded, while more than 12,000 Allied soldiers died or got injured in the Battle of Imphal.
Pink Villa
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Predator Badlands Trailer: Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi Join Hands to Star in Future-Set Survival Story, WATCH
20th Century Fox has dropped the first trailer of the Elle Fanning starrer, Predator: Badlands. The upcoming movie is the latest entry into the long-running Predators franchise. The preview dropped on Tuesday and showcased the newcomer, Dimitrus Schuster-Koloamatangi, who will portray the role of a predator and share the screen alongside Fanning. The new sci-fi movie is directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who is known for his work in Prey, and is scheduled to hit theaters in November this year. What to expect from Predator: Badlands? In the movie set to release by the end of this year, Fanning, who will play the role of the field unit robot, will be sent to the most dangerous alien planet, where she will have to hunt the predator creature, who 'can't be killed.' As per the official synopsis of the film, 'Predator: Badlands, which stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is set in the future on a remote planet, where a young Predator, an outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.' Meanwhile, Predator: Badlands is the ninth movie of the franchise, with the original one releasing in 1987. The producers of the new film include Tratchenberg, alongside John Davis, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt, and Brent O'Connor. The eighth installment of the franchise was dropped earlier this year, which was also directed by the filmmaker who has taken the seat behind the camera for the new film as well. The synopsis of the last film read, 'The anthology story follows three of the fiercest warriors in human history: a Viking raider guiding her young son on a bloody quest for revenge, a ninja in feudal Japan who turns against his Samurai brother in a brutal battle for succession, and a WWII pilot who takes to the sky to investigate an otherworldly threat to the Allied cause.' Predator: Badlands will hit theaters on November 7, 2025.
Local France
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Local France
American D-Day veteran and TikTok star dies aged 102
Towns in the French region of Normandy have been paying tribute to one of the lasting surviving veterans of the D-Day landings - Jake Larson, known to millions on social media due to his Story time with Papa Jake account, where he shared his memories of World War II. Larson was one of around 160,000 American soldiers who took part in the D-Day landings in northern France in 1944, landing on Omaha beach. His grand-daughter McKaela Larson announced that he had died aged 102 on July 17th, adding that he was "making jokes until the end". Advertisement Born on December 20th 1922 in Owatonna, Minnesota, Jake Larson joined the National Guard in 1938, lying about his age as he was only 15 at the time. In 1942, he was sent overseas and became an operations sergeant, later preparing plans for the Normandy landings. After D-Day he took part in the continued Allied campaign to liberate France and participated in the Battle of Ardennes. He regularly travelled to France to take part in the commemorations of the landings on June 6th, and had been awarded the Légion d'honneur by the French government. In recent years he began sharing his war stories, often told with humour, on a TikTok account which had 1.2 million followers. In 2023 he told Associated Press "I'm just a country boy. Now I'm a star on TikTok. I'm a legend! I didn't plan this, it just happened."
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First Post
2 days ago
- General
- First Post
Who was Papa Jake Larson, the 102-year-old WWII hero and TikTok star who inspired millions?
Jake 'Papa Jake' Larson, a decorated World War II veteran and D-Day survivor who became a TikTok sensation in his 90s, has died at 102. From storming Omaha Beach in 1944 to sharing wartime stories with 1.2 million followers online, Larson's extraordinary life bridged generations and preserved the memory of one of history's most pivotal eras read more World War II veteran Jake Larson meets youths during ceremonies at the US cemetery to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings, on June 6, 2025 in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. File Image/AP Jake Melvin Larson, widely known as 'Papa Jake' on TikTok and revered globally as a decorated World War II veteran and D-Day survivor, passed away last week (July 17, 2025), at the age of 102. From a Minnesota farm boy who enlisted underage to a Bronze Star recipient and later an internet sensation in his late 90s, Papa Jake's life spanned not only decades of personal courage and national history but also a digital bridge to younger generations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Announced by his granddaughter McKaela Larson through a social media post, his passing sparked tributes from across the United States and towns in France, especially in Normandy, where Larson had long been welcomed as a cherished guest and war hero. He had spent the last years of his life living in Lafayette, California. Jake Larson, known as 'Papa Jake' had gained 1.2 million followers on TikTok by sharing war stories. File Image/AFP 'Our beloved Papa Jake has passed away on July 17th at 102 years young,' McKaela wrote. 'He went peacefully.' 'I am so thankful to have shared my Papa Jake with you all. You meant the world to him,' she added. 'As Papa would say, love you all the mostest.' From a farm boy to a war hero Jake Larson was born on December 20, 1922, in Owatonna, Minnesota, and raised in the nearby community of Hope. In 1938, at just 15 years old, he enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard by falsely claiming he was of legal age. Assigned to the US Army's 135th Infantry Regiment in the 34th Infantry Division — known as the 'Red Bull' — Larson embarked on a military career that would define much of the 20th century's pivotal moments. By 1942, he was deployed overseas to Northern Ireland, where he rose to the role of operations sergeant. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In this capacity, he played a behind-the-scenes yet critical role in planning the Allied invasion of Normandy, compiling operational materials for what would become the largest amphibious military assault in history: Operation Overlord. Papa Jake during D-Day & WWII On June 6, 1944, Larson was among approximately 160,000 Allied troops who stormed the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day landings. Assigned to Omaha Beach, he was one of 34,000 US soldiers to engage in the bloody assault that day. Machine gun fire from fortified German positions made the beach one of the most perilous fronts, claiming over 2,400 American lives. Larson was one of the few to reach the bluffs overlooking the beach unharmed. In this photo taken April 29, 2019, D-Day veteran Jake Larson poses before going for a ride in the 'The Spirit of Benovia' World War II-era aircraft in Oakland, California, US. File Image/AP In a recollection shared through a US Army video posted in June, he described the chaos and fear that defined those hours: 'It seemed like that the landing was an eternity, with all the firing going on…. I can't describe it. And people say, 'Were you scared?' I was scared of stepping on a landmine, and that's what I was trying to prevent.' 'I was 5 foot 7 at that time. I weighed 120 pounds and I said, 'Thank God the Germans aren't good at shooting at toothpicks',' he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Larson went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge — the last major German offensive on the Western Front — enduring a month of intense winter warfare across Belgium and Luxembourg. His actions during the war earned him numerous honours, including the Bronze Star Medal from the US Army and the French Legion of Honour, France's highest civilian and military award. Despite his accolades, Larson never saw himself as a hero. 'We are the lucky ones,' he told AP at the 81st D-Day commemoration in June, while standing among the headstones at the American Cemetery above Omaha Beach. 'They had no family. We are their family. We have the responsibility to honour these guys who gave us a chance to be alive.' Post-war life for Papa Jake Following his discharge from military service in 1945, Larson returned home and later married Lola Cassem. Their marriage lasted until her death in 1991. In the decades that followed, he built a quiet life for himself, largely out of the spotlight, until his unexpected rise to social media fame in the twilight of his life. In 2020, with assistance from his granddaughter, Larson launched a TikTok account — @storytimewithpapajake — where he began sharing stories of his war experiences. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The platform, initially foreign to many of his generation, soon turned him into a viral figure. In this photo taken April 29, 2019, D-Day veteran Jake Larson walks to a seat before going for a ride in the 'The Spirit of Benovia' WWII-era aircraft in Oakland, California, US. File Image/AP By 2025, he had amassed over 1.2 million followers and more than 11 million likes. His popularity extended to YouTube as well, where he gained more than 16,000 subscribers. His videos — a mix of candid reflections, historical commentary, and humour — became a medium through which millions learned about the human costs and moral weight of the Second World War. 'I'm just a country boy. Now I'm a star on TikTok,' he told AP in 2023. 'I'm a legend! I didn't plan this, it came about.' In 2021, he published a memoir titled The Luckiest Man in the World: Stories from the Life of Papa Jake, a nod to how he often described himself — not for having survived the war, but for having the opportunity to share his life and honour his fallen comrades. Papa Jake's legacy Larson's presence was a mainstay at international memorial events, particularly in Normandy, where he was deeply respected. From schoolchildren to museum curators, he was warmly welcomed during his visits. The Overlord Museum in France — dedicated to preserving the memory of D-Day — posted a tribute that described him as 'an exceptional witness and bearer of memory,' recalling his humility, storytelling, and warm smile that touched visitors of all ages. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even in his final years, he remained active and engaged with his audience. In 2023, during a commemorative visit to France, he met with 99-year-old British veteran Bill Gladden, who had landed in a glider on D-Day and been wounded by gunfire. Their emotional exchange — hands clasped, tears in their eyes — became a moment widely shared online. 'I want to give you a hug, thank you. I got tears in my eyes. We were meant to meet,' Larson told Gladden. Gladden passed away the following year. Papa Jake's contributions to preserving World War II history were recognised by international media as well. In June, he and CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour were jointly awarded a News and Documentary Emmy for their live interview during the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Though his fame came unexpectedly and late in life, Larson used it to promote remembrance, compassion, and peace. 'Make peace not war,' he said during an interview — a sentiment that resonated deeply with his global audience. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US veteran SSgt. Jake M Larson talks to a girl who wears an American flag around her neck during a gathering in preparation of the 79th D-Day anniversary in La Fiere, Normandy, France, June 4, 2023. File Image/AP His storytelling was never just about reminiscing; it was about accountability, memory, and ensuring that history — especially its darkest moments — would not be forgotten. Following his death, tributes poured in not only from followers across the United States but from towns and institutions in France that had long considered him part of their shared historical heritage. The official tourism page for Normandy stated that he 'will never be forgotten.' His granddaughter has expressed her intent to keep his memory alive through continued storytelling: 'When the time is right, I will continue to share Papa Jake's stories and keep his memory alive.' Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
TikTok star with millions of followers who stormed D-Day beaches dies aged 102
Becoming a sensation on TikTok, World War Two veteran Jake Larson, also known as Papa Jake, who avoided machine gun fire when storming the beach on D-Day, has died aged 102 A much-loved World War Two veteran turned social media star who gathered more than a million followers has died aged 102. Tributes from around the world have flooded in for Jake Larson, best known as Papa Jake, after his granddaughter McKaela Larson broke the news on TikTok. Uploading the post on Saturday, July 18, she wrote: 'Our beloved Papa Jake has passed away on July 17th at 102 years young. He went peacefully and was even cracking jokes 'til the very end.' 'I am so thankful to have shared my Papa Jake with you all. You meant the world to him. When the time is right, I will continue to share Papa Jake's stories and keep his memory alive. We appreciate all the kind words and posts. As Papa would say, love you all the mostest.' In January 1942, he was sent overseas and was stationed in Northern Ireland, where he was promoted to operations sergeant and became a part of the planning for Operation Overlord - the D-Day landings. Jake was then among the Allied troops on the day who stormed the beaches of France in 1944, surviving machine-gun fire when he landed on Omaha Beach before attacking the Nazi German forces and helping to end the war a year later. Speaking to the Associated Press last month for the D-Day anniversary, Jake said:" We are the lucky ones. They had no family. We are their family. We have the responsibility to honour these guys who gave us a chance to be alive." In the years that followed, he'd head back to t hose beaches in Normandy on several occasions, always embracing fellow veterans commemorating those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. However, more than 80 years later, the Minnesota native, born December 20, 1922, embraced the digital era, where he managed to capture the hearts of a whole new generation. Creating videos about Memorial Day celebrations, stories from World War Two, and even a trip to Disney Land, the veterans' videos have been viewed tens of millions of times. He worked with his granddaughter to make many of the videos, with Jake having previously said: "I didn't even know what TikTok was until my granddaughter sent it to me one day," Jake Larson said when asked about the app. Just three weeks ago, Papa Jake achieved another accolade, co-winning an Emmy Award with journalist Christiane Amanpour for a captivating interview they conducted marking last year's 80th anniversary of D-Day. After the news broke of his passing, Christiane posted: 'So sorry to hear this. They really don't make them like Jake Larson anymore. The sacrifices he made with his Band of Brothers in WWII, and the joy he lived throughout his long life, offer an example to us all. RIP' While Normandy's Overlord Museum wrote: ' Papa Jake was more than a soldier – he was an extraordinary witness and a messenger of remembrance.'
