Veteran Interview

Hello everyone.

My name is Alexandra. I am currently working on a research project for a class I am taking through the University of Texas. In order to complete my project, I am searching for several WWII veterans who would like to do interviews with me. If you or anyone you know is interested in this, please respond.

Thank you! -Alexandra

 

I know of a Mr. Floyd Rogers from Rising Star. I don't know if he's alive but maybe you could search the phone book or something. This is really something that I'm sure we have some members who can help you with so sit tight.

Best regards/ Daniel

 

My grandfather was a POW in Berlin and had to make clothes for the German soldiers.

 

Do you think that your grandfather would be interested in doing an interview? If he is, I can just send the questions to you through email. Let me know and thanks so much!

 

Greetings Alexandra.

Mail Gerry Chester through this forum. Gerry was in the North Irish Horse armour during W.W.II.

If you want to mail me through this forum, I’ll get a questionnaire completed by a member of No.1 Commando who served in Burma against the Japanese – I’m thinking this theatre may have most relevance to your studies?

No.9

 

yes I think so. He is not so good in English, but I could translate it for him into Dutch.

But what kind of questions are there?

 

We have lots of vet answers to our interviews on our website below. I'm sure you are welcome to consult those, as long as you give ole Wm.T. Ripley credit for them.

 

Very interesting.

Send me the questions.

BTW, my grandfather is already 86 years old.

 

My grandfather as well: lieutenant colonel in the German Army, served in nearly all theatres of operations since 1938-1945. He's now 87.

 

Italian WWII Vets:
Grandfather age 83
Great Uncle age 80

Grandfather was captured by Germans in late '43
Great Uncle fought mainly in the Italian Civil war being held during the later stages of the War, but did have some experience in the second world war as well.

e-mail the questions to me if you have any.

DUCE

 

This is educational stuff guys...Excellent.

Erwin, Duce has given us a brief introduction to his relative..

Would it be untoward to ask you for a brief description of your Grandfather too?

Would like to know where served and wH
ether military pow or however he ended up as pow?

With that I would love to then ask more of you if you do not mind?

The Belgian and Italian personal episodes in ww2 are not something we get to view in the same numbers as the other particpants as a general rule.

Duce I will be coming back to you with some questions thanks for your response, and sounds like a lot to tell, liked the queen visit one...I suppose becuase they didnt want any embarrasment rather than a threat to life or limb.....?

 

With apologies to Cavusdaily, dont want to hijack your thread or your attempts at gaining your info..Good luck to you, you have come to the right place with this forum.

 

Well here it comes:

My grandfather was born on 22 December 1917 in Mechelen, Belgium. He also grew up there. Then in 1940 he was stationed at the Albert Canal (I’ll ask the division). But when the Germans came, he fled.

He was arrested and became a POW for a few weeks. Then he was sent to the port of Antwerp where he had to help with the administration – not with the loading/unloading of the ships because he hadn’t such strong longs and heart.

Before he left he married my grandmother in November. They are still together and celebrated their 60th wedding birthday a few months ago.

Around 1942 he was sent to Berlin to work for the Germans to make clothes. He was after all a tailor. There he was given command of a lot of people who had to made uniforms for German soldiers.

In the winter it was very cold in Berlin and they had to collect wood to keep the stove burning. Fortunately not many POW’s did this and so only a few people had to collect all the wood to keep the stove burning.

In 1943 he was sent to the Saarland where – again – he worked in a textile factory.

At the end of the war he was liberated by the Americans in the neighbourhood of Speyer. When he arrived back in Belgium in 1945, he wastn’t seen as a real victim of the Germans. People simply didn’t seem to care.

Maybe a small detail to conclude. My aunt – daughter of my grandfather – married the son of the woman where my grandfather stayed before the Americans could liberate him. So in fact he hid himself for a few days.

So if my grandfather never hid with this woman, then I wouldn’t have German family.

 

Common Cavusdaily, send those questions.

 

Thanks Erwin...

Im sure in 1940 when you state he fled from Albert canal, he was not alone and not a personal thing. The whole army did the same and not far from the Bef and French 1st and 7th army doing likewise at same time...Each of those armies had it seems its OWN war to fight at that time.

Id be very interested in a few things from the Belgian soldier point of view, as to be honest the period September 39 - October 40 is of real interest to me more so than any other period of the war.

Things like his view on his French and British allies, his views on Leopolds decision to surrender and what he thought of his kings govt decision to go on fighting from England?

What where his thoughts on the Belgian army morale at the start of the war.? Did he hear of the fall of fortress Eban....and if so was this the turning point of Belgian armies defence moral wise...?

Damn...sorry Erwin...accidently hit add reply..before finishing..

If I may carry on...I am not of the mind as it is so easy in hindsight to look on others mistakes, needs or disasters..and god knows we had enough of all of those in Britain at the time..I am of the view...Belgium did what was necessary for Belgium at the time...
We across the channel were exactly that...across the channel and knew we could fight on..

Did he know of the Dunkirk evacuations and what where his thoughts if any of the British on leaving the continent..

These are all things you may like to reply to by personal mail..And I would be grateful of his opinions...I lost an uncle..obviously not one I knew as I was not born at Gravelines in 40..and that inspires my interest in all things 1940....

Other relatives served....including father..and he and his other brother were in navy and so my other interest lies there..with my grandfather in Burma too..

All now dead but just wish I had asked more questions of them.

Cheers Erwin

 

Nice when you get a 'help me' post from a stranger to which many go out of their way to reply to, then you never get any reply. We need more of these don't we

No.9

 

Blimey....I never looked at the date of the original posting...missed that....

 

I'll ask him the questions Urqh!

 

Welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy yourself when you are discussing about some subject.