D-Day Canadian War Veterans Gallery
On D-Day, Mr. Steppings was still in England, training at Ashford, Kent. His squadron was preparing to move to Carpiquet Airport near Caen, but it took almost a month for ground troops to clear that airport.
Subject:
normandy vet
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 18:24:36 -0400
From:
stanley r steppings <stans@fox.nstn.ca>
To:
palmer@harrypalmergallery.ab.ca
Hi Harry.
While searching the web trying to locate Vimy Ridge. To my surprise I
came across your gallery and the first thing that came up was F/S Stanley
R.Steppings, CD, Royal Canadian AF and the next, the photo of myself. I
could not believe it. All of the Photos were excellent. I told you that
I was at Ashford Kent, and we were getting ready to go to Carpiquet Airport
but it was still held by the Germans. We landed in Normandy on 13 June at
an emergency airstrip near a village named Plumeto B10. That's where we
were stuck until they took Caen at the end of August. We were only five
miles from Caen, and the Germans knew we there, so you can imagine what
we went through.
Now for WWI at Vimy Ridge. My Dad was there and I was searching for his
Battalion and many thanks to you, I found it. He was with the 44 Batt and
I did not know he probably helped build 44th Bn Memorial, The Pimple. He
was wounded and gassed but he made home safely.
Many thanks again and keep up the good work.
Stan
PS.You Had "Johnnie" Johnson as a Group Captain, He was an A/V/M at retirement.