[DaveCox]

Carman,

The term D-day Dodgers was the nickname used by British & Commonwealth troops ( usually 8th Army) in Italy following an accusation from MP Nancy Astor that they were having a nice holiday while the invasion of France via Normandy was more in the public eye. There was also a song to the tune of 'Lilly Marlene':



We’re the D-Day dodgers, out in Italy
Always on the vino, always on the spree
8th Army scroungers and their tanks
We live in Rome – among the Yanks
We are the D-Day Dodgers, way out in Italy

We landed at Salerno, a holiday with pay
Jerry brought the band down to cheer us on our way
We sung all the songs and the beer was free
We kissed all the girls in Napoli
We are the D-Day Dodgers, way out in Italy

The Volturno and Cassino were taken in our stride
We didn’t have to fight there, we just went for the ride
Anzio and Sangro were all forlorn
We didn’t do a thing from dusk to dawn
We are the D-Day Dodgers, way out in Italy

On our way to Florence we had a lovely time
We ran a bus to Rimini through the Gothic line
All the winter sports among the snow
Then we went bathing in the Po
We are the D-Day Dodgers, way out 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 in sunny Italy

Now Lady Astor get a load of this
Don’t stand on a platform and talk a lot of piss
You’re the nation’s sweetheart, the nation’s pride
But your lovely mouth is far too wide
For we are the D-Day Dodgers in sunny Italy

If you look around the mountains, through the mud and rain
You’ll find battered crosses, some which bear no name
Heartbreak, toil and suffering gone
The boys beneath just slumber on
They were the D-Day Dodgers of sunny Italy

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 you bit, though far away
All of the D-Day Dodgers are out in Italy