We Happy Few 506

We Happy Few 506 Giving fans of HBO's Band of Brothers the chance to hear stories from behind the scenes and history on your doorstep!

26/06/2026

Then and Now

Slapton Sands Training Area

In December 1943, the village of Slapton is in the process of being evacuated by Allied forces, with around 3,000 local villagers leaving their homes behind, some never to return again, with the area sealed off, due to the similarities to the coastline in Normandy.

Nearly 1,000 service personnel would be killed during the exercises in the build up to D-Day, due to use of live ordnance throughout as well as the German E-Boat attack during Exercise Tiger on the 28th April 1944.

25/06/2026

Then and Now

In early June 1944, Group A (1st Battalion, 359th Infantry, and the 3d Battalion, 359th Infantry) and Group AA (HQ, 359th Infantry) of the 359th Infantry of the 90th Infantry Division who were attached to the 4th Infantry Division march towards their ships in Dartmouth Harbour, England, which was used as their embarkation point for their journey to Normandy, landing at Utah Beach.

Additional information provided by Richard Anderson via 90th Infantry Division page on Facebook.

25/06/2026

Sgr Darrell ‘Shifty’ Powers reflects on German Soldiers after the War and the commonality between both and how they may have been friends and done similar activities.

23/06/2026

A sneak peek at the latest podcast with a former Navy Seal, who is now the Chief Training Officer at as well as a Leadership Instructor, Speaker and Strategic Advisor.

An incredible conversation and looking forward to the next one.

Thank you to for making it happen.

Available to listen to now if you’re a Patreon (link in bio to subscribe)

23/06/2026

Then and Now

The Eagle Has Landed

Fully aware there are Germans in the small village of Studley Constable, Col Pitts (Larry Hartman) keen for action storms the village to draw the Germans out for his men.

*note the yellow robin reliant which was not available to buy or even exist during the Second World War.

22/06/2026

Then and Now

Band of Brothers

Lt Winters salutes Capt Sobel as he passes him after being informed by Col Sink that he’s lost his command of Easy and will be re-assigned to the Jump School at Chilton Foliat.

21/06/2026

Then and Now

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton

In August 1984, Elizabeth Taylor returned to Pontrhydyfen, South Wales, after the death of her former husband, Richard Burton, to visit his family to pay her respects, as well as staying overnight in the small house in the Welsh valleys. Among his siblings who are pictured with Elizabeth are Cis and Graham.

20/06/2026

Then and Now

Slapton Sands Training Area

In December 1943, an elderly woman who lived in Slapton village stands by as she watches civilian men and US service personnel move furniture from her home, as part of the evacuation due to her village and several others in the surrounding area fall within the Slapton Sands Training Area.

19/06/2026

Then and Now

Blackpool Sands

This beach, which sits further west away at northern end of Slapton Sands Assaulr Training Area, was used heavily for exercises in the build up to D-Day for several months in 1944, as U.S. forces prepared for the invasion of Normandy.

Blackpool Sands, also served as the U.S. Amphibious Force Quartermasters beach during those exercises.

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