asking relatives questions from there army days

I agree with the majority here in respecting their desicion to not say anything and as hard as that is, it has to be done unfortunately. To make someone remember one of the most painful memories in their life and have them hurt all over again in the name of history is well...what do you think?

 

William,
Absolutely right. Also agree with OTF's point about not forcing anyone to relive trauma.
My old man now talks freely about the bombed troop ship he nearly didn't get off in Operation Torch, and his convoy getting shot up by Stukas on the road to Tunis. He didn't do either not that many years ago.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Many years ago, an old friend that served in the same Eighth Brigade brigade as me. told me "We old Veterans mhave a duty to tell the World what it was like from "Sword beach" to Bremen"

He firmly beleived that was a duty of those of us that survived to tell what it was like, and thus, to ensure the younger generation would be aware of the sacrifices made for the freedom that is enjoyed today.

For many years now, I have attempted to do just that. I have a almost sacred duty to fulfill that task, as I fought alongside the British. the Canadians and tha Americans. Now at the age of 79 I am still treading that path. For I remember all of them. All of them. rest in peace bonny lads.
Sapper

 

Welcome to the forums, Oliphaunt and thanks for sharing! We'd like to see more post from you and more about your relatives experiences.

And thank you, Brian, because of being part of the ones who DO want to let younger people know what it was like and make them care.

 

Wilkommen to another Oregonian, now I do not feel alone !

as friend Stevin has asked and I will to since we are both quite interested in the air-war over the Reich. your relative was in what bomb gorup and the date of his downing please if the info is available. Welcome aboard.

~Erich // are you enjoying the cold up your way ?

 

Sapper, every time you post a reply to anything I am inspired and thankful and grateful. I understand your viewpoint and I respect the men who dies but I also am inspired and uplifted by the ones who survived hell and are now alive to inform men like me what those men and you yourself did on the battlefield.

 

hey everyone.. in response to the queries about my grandfather, he was a member of the 95th bomb group stationed in Horham, Suffolk, England http://www.8thafhs.org/bomber/95bg.htm i dont know when he was shot down.. i just remember the little anecdotes that he told me.. such as getting in a brawl with som RAF pilots in a pub.. and having a squadron of spitfires save him and his crew when they got separated from their wing. their B-17 was pretty shot up and a couple of Focke-Wulfs were sniping at them when some spitfires dove down to protect them "the most beautiful goddamn planes i ever saw!" as he says. a heartwarming little story to accompany this is that after they got back they found out where these spitfires were based and after soem searchign found the pilots, for whom they promptly bought a beer. i dont know when or where they were shot down as he didnt seem to like to think about it and i didnt press the point.
Sapper its such a pleasure to hear from a veteran, i look forward to reading what you have to say. later

 

Welcome to the Forums, Oliphaunt !
Most interested to hear of your grandfather. I visited the site of Horham airfield a few years back and there is now a small museum dedicated to the 95th in the old base hospital building.

http://www.95thbg-horham.com/airfield01.html

 

~Erich // are you enjoying the cold up your way ?
dear god.. i have to pretend i'm an extra in "Dr. Zhivago" just to retain my sanity

 

Sapper, I would like to echo OTF's comments, everytime I think I've understood the mind of the WW2 soldier or get presumptuous in my posts about what the vets should be thinking, I get a post from you reminding me how little I know of the experience you had and any demons that are still lurking around. I am truly humbled! A toast of instant (public service coffee) to you mate!

 

I have to tell you that there exists a very wide gap between the average man, and those that served in war, even more of a gap, if they have seen violent action and over a long period of time.

So what happens? well sometimes, while giving a little information, that old Veteran will have some one look at him sideways, almost unbelieving...

That makes the old boy retire back into his shell, for it is absolutely true that the only people he can talk to freely, are fellow Veterans. They aand only they, will know that some of the things we got up to are absolutely true, though they sound "Over the top" to the man in the street

While attending a memorial service for an old RE assault company Colonel, I talked to a RE Major about my going for miles into the enemy held territory. While talking, I could see, and sense the disbeliefe spreading over his face...

That kindly old gentleman that you see around the town is the man that fought the battles. Not some obscure men of ones imagination.
Best regards to all.
Sapper

 

many thanks for input sapper . you say there is a big gap between the average man and those that served in war . i can see looking around my city where i live that this is sadly true , burglarys , car crime , stabbings , shootings etc etc. what i find sad is that people today , especially the younger generation are not being educated in to what exactly was sacrificed for the country we have today . i luckily had my grandfather to educate me along the way , you could say guide me the right way and make me appreciate the life i have .
i couldnt pry and ask my father-in-law questions . i know he has no desire to relive his army days .
its just ........i dont know , knowledge a lot of us should know to appreciate what we have .....
many thanks for input sapper . good health to you m8 . cheers