Well, Monday is Veteran's Day here in the USA. Since it's a bit apparent we're all here because of a mutual respect and interest in WWII, I wanted to ask the following questions and see what answers I got: 1. Who was the/a veteran you know from WWII, who most inspired you? 2. What was one story they told you about their experience in WWII?
Both my Grandads served in WW2, so they probably most inspired me. One thing my Grandad told me was that there was one guy who went though two Italian winters with out wearing a pair of socks! Another thing he always talks about was they way the members of the 28th (Maori) Bttn. acted. As my Grandad was a Engineer they always needed a group of Infantry with them to protect them. The Maoris would always say 'No action here, boss, we'll go check this house out' (my Grandad was a Lt.) and walk off and go and look though a house they liked the look of, leaving the engineers undefended. Where as, my Grandad said, once when they were being escorted by the 21st (Auckland or Otago, I can't remember) Bttn. they came under heavy fire. The Infantry managed to give enough covering fire for my Grandad and the other engineers to escape, but most of the infantry didn't survive.
My grandfather. Lieutenant colonel in the German Army 1937-1945. And he has 'told' me quite a lot interesting stories. I particullary love those in which he describes the generals or field marshalls he met.
Great question GG difficult to say----but actually I think it was the stories my Mother told me about my Grandfather--who was Captain of the ship SS Fort Lee. His ship was torpedoed by the German U Boat U 181 under the command of Kapitan zur See Kurt Freiwald. My Grandfather was on his way to deliver a load of Rubber, ores, and other items, when at sometime on November 1/ 1944, the German U boat U 181 spotted my grandfathers ship--doing a zig-zag pattern. His ship was alone, the weather was turning rough--only to get much rougher. My grandfather continued the proper zig zag pattern, which slowed his rate of travel down by about a 3rd. The Kapitan of U 181 figured that they could overtake and actually get ahead of the SS Fort Lee in about 14 or so hours providing the SS Fort Lee continued its pattern of travel and the Uboat would go basically in na straight line. No matter what my grandfather could or would have done--his ship was going to be attacked by U 181 within hours or within a day at the most. U 181 eventually got ahead and plotted a course that would line it up in a spot that SS Fort Lee would eventually arrive at. All U 181 had to do was to wait--and wiat they did. At approximately 9pm on November 2/ 1944, the SS Fort Lee came into U 181s sites. U 181 fired 1 torpedo which hit amidship, destroying the ships engines and causing all power to go out. The 1st Watch Officer of U 181, reported that no alarms were sounded and that no activity could be seen on deck--no panicking among the crew. Actually--after the torpedo hit and damage was accessed--the order to abandon ship, was given by my Grandfather. His men proceeded to get into lifeboats--which had already been previously stocked with water--blankets--some food and medicines etc. U 181 surfaced and made ready the deck guns--just in case. After a matter of maybe 20 or so minutes--the lifeboats and survivors--were confronted by U 181 and the Kapitan questioned my grandfather on what he was hauling--to which he recieved no answers. The Kapitan of U 181 gave my grandfather, a flare pistol and flares--to signal an aircraft or a ship. U 181 also gave them blankets--more food, water and meds and let the lifeboats go on their way. U 181 then manovered to the opposite side of the ship and fired a second torpedo--to help the ship sink faster. Now untill I had recieved some info about 1 yr ago from the North Atlantic Merchant Marines vets Org--neither I nor the men of U 181, had ever known that there were any men killed during their torpedo attacks. The men of U 181 thought all the Fort Lees crew had survived--when in fact--27 were killed when the 2nd torpedo hit the Fort Lee--these 27 were killed in the explosion as their lifeboats were lowered into the water. When I provided evidence of this to the surviving U 181 vets--they were extremely surprised at the news and were VERY very sorrowful and all of them apologised to me because of the deaths. From 1944 to 2001, they had never known anyone was killed because of their attack--I even recieved cards from them as well--as another way of them telling me of their sorrow at my and our loss of life. To this day--im very good friends with all 7 remaining U 181 vets--one of which is my best German friend and was a German Cross in Gold Recipient.
Wow! These are great memories ... keep 'em comin'! My WWII hero was obviously my grampa. Because he didn't speak much about the war, my stories are limited. But my Mom told me one in which my grampa earned a medal (i'm not sure which one because my gramma has them packed away. It's pretty hard for her now that my grampa has passed away). Anyway, the story goes that he and his infantry were in the Philippine Islands somewhere with Japanese soldiers closing in. My grampa got the coordinates to get his group out and around the Japanese but the comminque device was left behind. By mistake, I'm not sure. Anyway, he got his guys around the Japanese but snuck back in to the radio to call out for help to get his men out. He received the medal because if he hadn't done that the Japanese would've wiped out the entire infantry as they were continuing to swarm the area. that's all I know about the story. I wish I had more details. I DO know Grampa hated mosquitos until the day he died. One mosquito on his arm and he disappeared into the house. He said it reminded him of the war and he'd met too many mosquitos then to think of entertaining any more!
For me there wasnt a veteran that inspired me, it was a computer game. My Dad, a fan of flight simulators bought Microsoft Combat Flight simulator in 1998, i went home thinking 'great, another boring flight sim...' The next morning, before school he brought me down to his office and set me up on a mission for the RAF, 'Swatting Doodle Bugs' for the next hour I tried my hand in Downing V-1's over london. From then on I was hooked, the interest in the Air war spread to the ground war, and then all aspects of the conflict, so for the last 4 years of my 14 year lifespan, I have been hooked on war. CvM
I guess I was influenced as a kid, by my mum and dad telling us a few stories of when they were in the war. Dad was a medical orderly with the RAMC, who served just about everywhere. He used to tell us all sorts of stories, like, being in Germany just after wars end and finding a whole warehouse full of German Army motorcycles. A couple of which they "requisitioned' for use by the Ambulance Train to which he was attached. And mum, who was a nurse, used to tell us about life on the RAF airfields, and what it was like during the blitz, and how she met HRH Queen Elizabeth II, when she was only a Princess. Mum was driving an ambulance one day, and they got stopped by a couple of military police. Then this car pulls up, out gets HRH the Princess, walks over to mum sitting in the ambulance, and asks her what it's like to drive one. Says she would like to do it, but her mum (Q.E.1)) wouldn't let her. Chats for a few minutes and then gets back in her car and drives away. Stories like that made me want to know more about this war they had been in, and the interest grew from there. __________________ Uncommon valor was a common virtue - Admiral Chester Nimitz, after the capture of Iwo Jima
Thank you GG, and sorry for the passing of your Grandfather--I never got to know either of mine. One died in the late 1930s or early 1940s, the other died in Walla Walla Washington at the Old Sailors Home when I was about 2-1/2--I dont know if he ever was able to see me or not.
My grampa was around until I was 10. i was pretty much his little sidekick -never left him alone and he loved it. He had Multiple Sclerosis (sp?) and so we read together for HOURS! Even though he's been gone 16 years (WOW!) it seemse like yesterday. I know it's the same for my gramma too...
My mother's oldest brother, who served from Normandy through Germany May of 45. Mel gave me a flag and ferrule from an armaments filled barn that was on fire. One of his buddies and himself removed the flag and top from the upper reaches of the building before it blew sky high. I have some good memories and vividly remember his photos I have seen of him with two others of his squad......back while I was a kid in 1960, at the age of 7. E
I have alot of vets in my family, but the MOST influencial were my gramps, a medic on guam, saipan, and tinian, and his brother, an infantryman from north africa to germany. But I've told a few or their stories on the forum before and don't wanna repeat myself too much. Luckily, they are both still alive in Cleveland!!!
