DESCRIPTION:
D Day Dodgers performed by The Leesiders.
The name given to troops fighting in Italy implied cowardice and avoidance of the 'real' war in France.
It is generally believed that it was Lady Astor MP who first called the men of the 8th Army who were fighting in the Italian Campaign 'D-Day Dodgers'.
Bob Buckle, who made up one half of the Leesiders, says:
'This song is a product of the Second World War. It was written (or should I say it was put together) by members of the British Eighth Army while on active service in Italy. Lady Astor had made a speech shortly after D-Day in which it was alleged that she said the Eighth Army were all in Italy dodging D-Day. This rather upset the men of the Eighht Army who were fighting a very long and severe campaign. This song was their reply to Lady Astor's allegations well, one reply anyway!
This was recorded in 1970 when I was one half of The Leesiders so my thanks go to Pete Douglas for his permission to use this version.'