Latest news with #NaziGerman
Daily Mirror
a day 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.'
San Francisco Chronicle
15-07-2025
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
Roman era mosaic panel with erotic theme that was stolen during World War II returns to Pompeii
POMPEII, Italy (AP) — A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during World War II. The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen. The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain, assigned to the military supply chain in Italy during the war. The mosaic — dating between mid- to last century B.C. and the first century — is considered a work of 'extraordinary cultural interest,' experts said. 'It is the moment when the theme of domestic love becomes an artistic subject,' said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and co-author of an essay dedicated to the returned work. 'While the Hellenistic period, from the fourth to the first century B.C., exulted the passion of mythological and heroic figures, now we see a new theme." The heirs of the mosaic's last owner in Germany contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome that's dedicated to protecting cultural heritage, which was in charge of the investigation, asking for information on how to return the mosaic to the Italian state. Authorities carried out the necessary checks to establish its authenticity and provenance, and then worked to repatriate the mosaic in September 2023. The collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii was also key, as it made it possible to trace it to near the Mount Vesuvius volcano, despite the scarcity of data on the original context of its discovery, the Carabinieri said. The panel was then assigned to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii where, suitably catalogued, it will be protected and available for educational and research purposes. 'Today's return is like healing an open wound,' Zuchtriegel said, adding that the mosaic allows to reconstruct the story of that period, the first century A.D., before Pompeii was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption in A.D. 79. The park's director also highlighted how the return by the heirs of its owner signals an important change in 'mentality,' as 'the sense of possession (of stolen art) becomes a heavy burden.' 'We see that often in the many letters we receive from people who may have stolen just a stone, to bring home a piece of Pompeii,' Zuchtriegel said. The world-known legend suggests that those who steal finds from the ancient city of Pompeii will experience bad luck or misfortune. That has been fueled over the years by several tourists who return stolen items, claiming they brought them bad luck and caused tragic events.
Toronto Star
15-07-2025
- General
- Toronto Star
Roman era mosaic panel with erotic theme that was stolen during World War II returns to Pompeii
POMPEII, Italy (AP) — A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during World War II. The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen.
Glasgow Times
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
New plan revealed for iconic Glasgow Barrowlands signage
Planning documents filed with Glasgow City Council show that the owners behind the venue, Margaret McIver Ltd, have applied to install a large LED screen to the right of the Barrowlands sign, with further screens on all sides – including the underside – of the entrance canopy. Impression of what the new frontage could look like when completed (Image: SYSCO) Planning application documents state: 'It is imperative to clarify that … this proposal will in no way interfere or alter the existing neon lettering and stars, as careful recognition is shown to its significance and identity. 'Our brief is focused solely on enhancing a portion of the facade, preserving the prominence of the neon sign while introducing modern technology to enhance and develop the building for the future.' There is currently only a sign saying 'Barrowland leisure centre' where the application is to put the larger screen. The current entrance canopy at the Barrowlands (Image: SYSCO) In 2023, Glasgow Council leader Susan Aitken backed listed status for the Barrowlands sign, saying the city would 'welcome formal status for what is unquestionably one of the most recognised symbols of Glasgow'. The venue dates back to 1934, when entrepreneur Margaret McIver had the hall built after the usual venue for the Barras market Christmas dance was already booked. Planning documents relate: 'At the time, a neon sign in the shape of a man pushing a barrow, positioned at the top of the facade, became a significant landmark for the area. 'Sadly, this neon sign was removed during the war after Nazi German radio broadcasts identified it in great detail as a target reference point for bombings.' The ballroom was destroyed in a fire in 1958, before being rebuilt and reopened in 1960. The current Barrowlands signage was installed in 1982. The venue, known for its sprung dancefloor, has hosted some of the biggest music artists in the world, including Oasis, David Bowie, Bob Dylan and Metallica.
The National
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
LED screens to be added to Glasgow Barrowlands signage under new plans
Planning documents filed with Glasgow City Council show that the owners behind the venue, Margaret McIver Ltd, have applied to install a large LED screen to the right of the Barrowlands sign, with further screens on all sides – including the underside – of the entrance canopy. Impression of what the new frontage could look like when completed (Image: SYSCO) Planning application documents state: 'It is imperative to clarify that … this proposal will in no way interfere or alter the existing neon lettering and stars, as careful recognition is shown to its significance and identity. 'Our brief is focused solely on enhancing a portion of the facade, preserving the prominence of the neon sign while introducing modern technology to enhance and develop the building for the future.' There is currently only a sign saying 'Barrowland leisure centre' where the application is to put the larger screen. The current entrance canopy at the Barrowlands (Image: SYSCO) In 2023, Glasgow Council leader Susan Aitken backed listed status for the Barrowlands sign, saying the city would 'welcome formal status for what is unquestionably one of the most recognised symbols of Glasgow'. The venue dates back to 1934, when entrepreneur Margaret McIver had the hall built after the usual venue for the Barras market Christmas dance was already booked. Planning documents relate: 'At the time, a neon sign in the shape of a man pushing a barrow, positioned at the top of the facade, became a significant landmark for the area. 'Sadly, this neon sign was removed during the war after Nazi German radio broadcasts identified it in great detail as a target reference point for bombings.' The ballroom was destroyed in a fire in 1958, before being rebuilt and reopened in 1960. The current Barrowlands signage was installed in 1982. The venue, known for its sprung dancefloor, has hosted some of the biggest music artists in the world, including Oasis, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, and Metallica.
