D-Day Dodgers

Lady Astor was never invited to an Eighth Army Reunion. If she had ever turned up, we think that the police would have had to be called.  Her comments on the veterans who served in Italy have been the subject of regular correspondence in the Manchester Veteran ever since it has been printed. Even 60 years later, her name is capable of causing angry words.

 Lady Astor was the first woman to take her seat in Parliament.  She was a woman of remarkable resilience and energy, championing the rights of women and children.  Sadly, this did not prevent her from being an extremely abrasive character in many other respects.  

Insofar as the Eighth Army are concerned, her error was to suggest that the troops in Italy were loafing about making slow progress at the expense of the men who were fighting in Normandy. As Lady Astor put it, the men concerned were “D-Day Dodgers”.

When it came to insults, Lady Astor didn’t always get it all her own way. There was once an exchange between Winston Churchill and Lady Astor at Bleinheim. The two politicians disliked each other intensely.  Lady Astor said, "Winston, if I were your wife I'd put poison in your coffee." Winston replied, "Nancy, if I were your husband I'd drink it” 

Several books were subsequently written with the title “D-Day Dodgers”.  One of these was recently a prize in our Summer Raffle.  It was won by Harold and we are hoping he will provide us with a review in due course.  Mind you, he was loafing about, having an easy time in France during 1944, so what does he know about it? (only joking Harold!)

The Eighth Army in Italy came to reclaim the epithet of “D-Day Dodgers” by using it themselves. In response to Lady Astor, Hamish Henderson, then a major in the 51st Highland Division, wrote "Ballad of the D-Day Dodgers" to the tune of "Lili Marlene".  Below is a version provided by our Alex McDonald.  

'D' DAY DODGERS - (SUNG TO THE THEME OF LILI MARLENE)

We are the D. Day Dodgers

Out in Italy,

Always on the Veno, Always on the spree

Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks

We live in Rome amongst the Yanks

We are the D.Day Dodgers

Out in Italy

We landed at Salerno, a holiday with pay,

The Gerry's brought the band out to greet us on our way

Showed us all the sights and gave us tea

We all sang songs the beer was free

To welcome D.Day Dodgers

To sunny Italy

Naples and Casino were taken in our stride

We didn't go to fight there we just went for the ride

Anzio and Sangra were just names

We went there just to look for dames

The artful D.Day Dodgers

Way out in Italy

On the way to Florence we had a lovely time

We ran a bus to Rimini right through the Gothic line

Soon to Bologna we will go and after that we'll cross the Po

We'll still be D.Day Dodgers

Way out in Italy

Once we heard a rumour that we were going home,

Back to dear old Blighty never more to roam

Then someone said in France you'll Fight

We said No fear we'll just sit tight

The Windy D.Day Dodgers

Way out in Italy

We hope the Second Army will soon get home on leave

After six months service its time for their repreive

But we can carry on out hear another two or three more years

Contented D.Day Dodgers

To stay in Italy

Dear Lady Astor you think you know a lot

Standing on a platform talking tommy rot

You're England's sweetheart and its pride

We think your mouth's open far too wide

That's from your D.Day Dodgers

In far off Italy

(Last verse slowly)

Look around the mountains in the mud and rain

You'll find the scattered crosses, there's some which have no name

Heartbreak and toil and suffering gone

The boys beneath them slumber on

Those are the D.Day Dodgers

Who stay in Italy.