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From: Graham Freestone< >
Subject: Re: The unknown warriors of the Eighth Army
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 09:13:53 +0000

Hello Jan & Fen Tigers,

Sorry I haven't replied to this sooner. I'm afraid that I can't give
a very full or definitive answer, but I seem to remember the
following.

The song I first heard in a 1960's play & film entitled 'Oh what a
lovely war'. This was a satirical musical which used popular troop
songs from the fist & second (British) world wars to satirise the way
the conflicts were managed. I think that the main objection was the
way the war was glorified during the 1950s when I was a boy. The
script portrayed the suffering of the ordinary soldier and the
incompetence of the generals.

The D-day dodgers were the troops that fought in Africa and Italy for
quite a long period, so were not present at the D-day invasion of
Normandy. I would guess that the words were put together by soldiers
or entertainers at the front line.

Lady Astor I believe was an American Lady from the Waldorf family, who
married the English Lord Astor. She was active during the war
promoting support for the troop. She made an unfortunate remark in
public 'about the D-day dodgers' which of course upset the men of the
8th army.

I trust this is not too inaccurate and helps you a bit,

All the Best

Graham

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: The unknown warriors of the Eighth Army
Author: "The Crook Family" <> at Internet-mail
Date: 18/03/98 22:24

I though this would be of interest to a few people. It is a song that I
found in my father-in-laws possessions. If anybody has any information as
to who wrote this song, The Eighth Army, and who was Lady Astor I would
love to hear from you. This song was sent to a Sheila Crook from her
brother Frank Pearce.

To be sung to the tune of "LILI MARLENE"
Dedicated to our gallant comrades of the B.L.A by the unknown warriors of
the Eighth Army.
EL ALAMENIN, ELAGHEILA,TRIPOLI, MARETH, TUNIS, SICILY, REGGIA, SANGRO,
CASSINO, GOTHIC LINE. PO RIVER, AUSTRIA.

1. We are the D. Day Dodgers way in Italy
Always drinking vine, always on the spree.
Eighth Army Skivers and the Yanks,
Six armoured Div with the tanks,
For we are the D. Day Dodgers the lads that D. Day Dodged

2 We landed at Salerno a holiday with pay,
Jerry brought the band out to cheer us on our way,
WE all sang songs and beer was free,
We kissed all the girls in Napoli.
For we are the D. Day Dodgers the lads that D.Day Dodged

3 The Volturno and Cassino were taken in our stride,
We didn`t go to fight there we just went for the ride.
Anzio and Sangro were all forlorn,
We didn`t do a thing from dust to dawn.
For we are the D. Day Dodgers the lads that D. Day Dodged.

4 On our way to Florence we had a lovely time,
We ran a bus to Rimini through the Gothio line, Winter sorts and the snow,
Then we went bathing in the PO,
For we are the D. Day Dodgers the lads that D. Day Dodged.

5 We hope the boys in France will soon be home on leave,
After six months service its time they were relieved.
But we`ll carry on for several years,
Because our wives don`t shed many tears.
For we are the D. Day Dodgers the lads that D. Day Dodged.

6 Once we had a blue light we were going home,
Back to dear old Blighy never more to to roam,
Then someone whispered " IN France you`ll fight"
We said "Not that we`ll just sit tight"

7 Oh Lady Astor listen please to us
Don`t stand on a platform and make a lot of fuss,
You`re the nations sweetheart you`re the nations pride,
But you`re lovely mouth is far too wide,
Fro we are the D Day Dodgers the lads that D. Day Dodged.

8 If you look around the mountains, through the mud and rain
you`ll find some battered crosses, some which bear no name,
Heartbreak an suffering gone,
The boys beneath the slumber on
They were the D Day Dodgers the lads that D day dodged.

Jan

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• Re: The unknown warriors of the Eighth Army by Graham Freestone< >