Vets accidentally meet at Stalingrad '97

A very touchy report written by a Mr Huchthausen who was a German embassy attache who was visiting a Stalingrad battlesights tour in Wolgograd when his group with some German vets met up with a group of Russian Veterans . Conversation started and Mr Huchthausen was asked to do the translations between the two groups of veterans ..

Perspectives: Stalingrad Foes Meet Again – November ‘97 World War II Feature » HistoryNet

 

If that's an accurate account of the meeting, then thanks for pointing it out Heinrich - Strong stuff.

~A

 

a gripping read , thanks Heinrich for sharing

 

Amazing story thankyou very much

This whole article kept be so interested, and amazed. Thankyou.

 

I read this a while ago, I was very moved by it, it's good to be reading it again after all this time. You rarely hear of such stories in this day and age, kind of sad especially when such scenarios happen on a weekly basis among old foes.

I do feel sorry for the guide though.

 

Yes Heinrich. Thank you for sharing this. A very emotionally charged story.
It just goes to prove that its the man on the ground from all nations who suffered under political will. A heart rendering tale.
Thanks John

 

Thank you for sharing. What a tremendous story.

 

what a beautiful story, really glad you posted it.

 

Hi Heinrich, thanks for that greats story. I cant salute ya but gave ya 32 reps instead.

 

On reading this again, this reminds me of what happened when Susanne and I attended the 9th reunion of the U 181 Vets and as well, as visiting our good friend and RKT-Remy Schrijnen. I believe this story because of certain things mentioned ion it that you will NOT understand-that is-untill you actually get to go to a German Vets reunion.

 

Thanks you all like it as I did ..
One can only feel the deepest respect for the Vets in the reportage .
Can imagine so much both parties being disappointed that in spite of all really beautifull and heroic statues and reliefs in the city there seem to be no personal places for rememberance for both parties ..must have felt like none were expected ever to come back to it ..

 

Moving story Heinrich!

 

That would be something to see!

 

Thanks Heinrich, That was a very moving story. I think there are many like it. It reminded my of my uncle that passed last summer. He was 91 and received a Bronze star for his contribution in Normandy on D-Day morning. He told me a bit before he died. Nothing about heroic fighting though. Only about a German Major that he and another guy captured at the Remagen bridge. I asked him if he took the soldier prisioner, he said they couldn't but it didn't really matter. The German soldier spat on my uncle and his friend and called them swine. He kinda left out the next part and began again as he was looking through pockets for any important documents. He said "thats when I found a picture of him with a woman and child and realized he had a family as well." He kept that photo and told me about a year and a half ago that he should try to find the mans family and return the picture. Well, he never did get to do that but I believe he really would have liked to return it. Anyway, his name was Carl L. Vaughn, Technician Fourth Grade 474th AAA Automatic weapons battalion. To me he was a hero.