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D-Day Dodgers

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""D-Day Dodgers""
Song
WrittenWorld War II

The D-Day Dodgers is a term for those Allied servicemen who fought in Italy during the Second World War, which also inspired a popular wartime soldier's song. Roud 10499.

The term was publicized by British Member of Parliament Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor, who used the expression in public after a disillusioned serviceman in Italy signed a letter to her as being from a "D-Day Dodger." Astor mistakenly thought the phrase was a nickname with positive connotations, as the term Desert Rats had been in 1942. In reality the reference was bitingly sarcastic, given the steady stream of allied service personnel who were being killed or wounded in combat on the Italian front. A "Dodger" is someone who avoids something; the soldiers in Italy felt that their sacrifices were being ignored after the invasion of Normandy, and a "D-Day Dodger" was thus a reference to someone who was somehow avoiding real combat by serving in Italy.

Servicemen in Italy picked up on the phrase, feeling they had been slighted by Astor who had made previous disparaging comments about the 8th Army, and several versions of a song called "D-Day Dodgers", set to the tune Lili Marlene (a favourite song of all troops in the desert—the British 8th Army was a veteran formation from that theatre before landing in Italy), were sung with gusto in the last months of the war, and at post-war reunions. There were many variations on verses and even the chorus, but the song generally and sarcastically referred to how easy their life in Italy was (with one verse very notably advising Lady Astor that "your bloody big mouth is far too wide"). Actually, many Allied personnel in Italy had reason to be bitter, as the bulk of materiel support for the Allied armies went to Northwest Europe after the invasion of Normandy. They also noted sardonically that they had participated in several "D-days" of their own before the landings in Normandy became popularly known as "D-Day." The expression was used to refer to any military operation, but the popular press turned it into an expression synonymous with the Normandy landings only. Italian campaign veterans noted that they had been in action for eleven months before the Normandy D-Day, and some of those had served in North Africa even before that.

The numerous Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries across Italy are compelling evidence of the fighting which took place during campaigns such as Operation Avalanche and the subsequent Battle of Monte Cassino.

The Ballad of the D-Day Dodgers

Exactly who wrote The Ballad of the D-Day Dodgers is unknown, although it may have originated with Hamish Henderson. It is attributed to him in the sleeve notes of the Ian Campbell Folk Group's "Contemporary Campbells". In a talk in 1970 (circa) at a school in Ross-shire he explained how many 'folksongs' did have known authors, citing this as an example. Many different variations have been recorded.

CWCG cemetery at Ortona.

We're the D-Day Dodgers out in Italy -
Always on the vino, always on the spree.
Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks
We live in Rome - among the Yanks.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy.

We landed at Salerno, a holiday with pay,
Jerry brought the band down to cheer us on our way
Showed us the sights and gave us tea,.
We all sang songs, the beer was free.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, way out in Italy.[1]

The Volturno and Cassino were taken in our stride[2]
We didn't have to fight there. We just went for the ride.
Anzio and Sangro were all forlorn.
We did not do a thing from dusk to dawn.[3]
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy.

On our way to Florence we had a lovely time.
We ran a bus to Rimini right through the Gothic Line.
On to Bologna we did go.
Then we went bathing in the Po.
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy.

Once we had a blue light that we were going home
Back to dear old Blighty, never more to roam.
Then somebody said in France you'll fight.
We said never mind, we'll just sit tight,
The windy D-Day Dodgers, out in Sunny Italy.

Now Lady Astor, get a load of this.
Don't stand up on a platform and talk a load of piss.
You're the nation's sweetheart, the nation's pride
We think your mouth's too bloody wide.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, in Sunny Italy.

When you look 'round the mountains, through the mud and rain
You'll find the scattered crosses, some which bear no name.
Heartbreak, and toil and suffering gone
The boys beneath them slumber on
They were the D-Day Dodgers, who'll stay in Italy.[4]

So listen all you people, over land and foam
Even though we've parted, our hearts are close to home.
When we return we hope you'll say
"You did your little bit, though far away
All of the D-Day Dodgers, way out there in Italy."

The last verse to be sung with vino on your lips and tears in your eyes.

Recordings of D-Day Dodgers

Literature

References

  1. ^ A Canadian version goes: We landed at Pachino, a holiday with pay
    Jerry brought a band out, to cheer us on our way
    Showed us the sights, and gave us tea
    We all sang songs, the beer was free
    Dancocks, Daniel - D-Day Dodgers: The Canadian in Italy 1943-45
  2. ^ A Canadian version goes "The Moro and Ortona were taken in our stride.
  3. ^ The verse sung on the recording Sod's Opera goes: Anzio and Sangro were a farce, we did fuck all, sat on our arse.
  4. ^ Sod's Opera recording.

See also

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