Familymembers in the war?

I've always been curious as to what happened with my family during WWII. My maternal grandmother was born in Germany in 1944, so that would mean my family had been there awhile and I've wanted to ask them about it. I wonder who's side they were on and if any of them took part in anything, willingly or not. If I ever get to visit them or if they come back over here, I will be sure to ask.

 

I like to hear your stories. My dad was in wwII . I can't remember any of his stories though. He died 13 years ago at the age of 78 of cancer. Makes me understand why he was, the way he was. He had a hard life.I hope he has the peace he deserves now.

 

Not a family member, but I have a friend whose grandmother helped the Allied forces parachuting in France. There was a particular region but I forgot the name. :red: In any case, she was living in the village, so she went out at night to get them safely to shelter.

 

My father was called up for the war, but allowed to stay and operate his farm.

We had neighbours from Germany who probably had some interesting stories to tell about leaving their country.

 

my great uncle was in the Royal Artilliry at the out break of the war, but after Dunkirk decided that enough was enough and jump on the nearest boat to South Africa in an attempt i think to disapear off the face of the earth, only to end up enlisting (through force i think) in the SAAF and ended up fighting in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, when demob he was sent back home with paperwork from Pretoria saving him from any arrest from the Military police

 

Those from my family who served in WWII.

Ill start off with my grandfather--who was Norwegian and got his American Citizenship in WWI-for serving as a Dougnboy in France. I know almost nothing else as to his service in WWI and slightly after except that he also served with the American forces who were in Siberia?? Between the wars--he served in the Merchant Marines and was the Ships Captain of the SS Fort Lee. He made runs to Murmansk and many other places. On November 2nd 1944--he had an unfriendly "encounter" with U 181 in rough seas and at night. U 181 sent in a torpedo which hit amidships and knocked out the ships power. The Germans surface and sent a signal to them telling them they had I think? 20 minutes to abandon ship. Well, the German's went to the other side of the ship and after the 20 or so minutes passed--they sent in torpedo Nr 2--and though not knowing about this all these years until I told them about ti at their 9th reunion in 2000--their 2nd torpedo did sink the ship but--it also killed 27 men who were lowering lifeboats when the 2nd torp exploded--most of the US Navy Armed Crew and some of the ships crew were killed. Well, my Grandfather-being from an occupied Country (Oslo, Norway) was an "Enemy Captain" who was supposed to be arrested if found out by the Germans. The Germans had orders to the effect because those from occupied Countries serving the Allies--were considered traitors.

My Grandfather was in a lifeboat that the Germans approached--but he kept his mouth shut because he had such an accent and the Germans would know he wasnt an Ami. Well, the Germans were under the command of Kapitan zue See Kurt Freiwald--and the Kapitan made sure the men in the boats had water, food, meds, blankets, signal lights and a Luger Pistol--that was given to my Grandfather by one of U 181s crew--which was totally against German regulations and if found out? the Kapitan could be executed for treason. Reason why that luger was given to them was for them to shoot sharks with. Anyway, the Germans all these years thought that all the men on board the SS Fort Lee survived and were rescued--that is--until I told them the info I got from the North Atlantic Chapter of the Merchant Marine. It turned out that 1-2 more lifeboats were never found and those men died. My Grandfather and one man were left on his boat--which was his First Mate. They were adrift for at least 2 weeks. In that time--the First Mate died from exposure and my Grandfather was very ill when his boat was found.

Anyway-fast forward to 2000. All the years while growing up--I always wanted to know about the sinking and nobody in the family knew what U boat was responsible for the sinking. I had a German friend I wound up meeting on a German site about Uboats in WWI & WWII, saw my posting--replied and we soon became friends. Susanne found out what boat sank the SS Fort Lee, and then proceeded to get in touch with the survivors of U 181. At that time, there were 12 known still living. Over the months they planned on a reunion to be held in Bad Camberg, Germany on Sept 15-16, 2000 and Susanne and I were guests of honor. There are other bits and pieces to this that ill skip for times sake but--I still have the Destroyer War Badge that was given to my Grandfather by a man who first served on Destroyers--then the Uboat-and met my Grandfather sometime after the war and they became lifelong friends. That German Sailor also gave my Grandfather his Uboat Badge--which I also still have. My grandfather gave the German vet--his Merchant Mariners Medal for War Wounded--which is a pretty rare medal itself--rarer than the Knights Cross. They swapped medals and badges as an act of friendship. Well, my grandfather passed away in the late 1960s--and the German vet contacted our family and said he would like to give us the MMMFWW back as he felt it belonged with the family and asked us to please keep the Destroyer and Uboat badges because he knew we would take care of them and nobody in his family were interested in them. One fo these days--ill post photos (or get someone to do it for me) of those badges, my Granddads Medal and Ribbon Bars. We no longer have any of his other awards--do not know what happened to them?

 

My Dads WWII, Korean War service.

My Father got in WWII sometime in 1944 and was a Ball Turret Gunner on a B-17. He was 5 foot 3, and so was perfect for the "job." All I cna remember about his WWII service is that he was in the 8th Army Air Force and stationed somewhere in England. I dont know what Bomb Group he was in? Anyway, I only remember him mentioning that they flew over places like: Wilhelmshaven, Friedrichshafen, Hamburg, Bremerhaven? and some other places I cant recall?

Shortly after WWII ended--he transferred to the 5th Air Force--and I THINK was in the 90th Bomb Group. I have one photo of him in WWII pr taken shortly after but still in 1945--and it shows him with another guy he served with--hands on the side of a B-24 Bomber-and they both were touching some Girly art. I dont have this photo but--rather by chance--I saw it for sale on a website a few months ago. I do have it save on my computer but do not know how to retrieve it and to post it here. It also has the sellers logo on it unfortunately.

Between 1946 and the Korean War--I do not know details of when my Dad switched "specialties" but during the Korean War--he served in a Weather Detachment somewhere in Korea. We used to have photos of his service there and in Japan--but about 17 or so years ago--someone broke into our house and stole all the photos as well as an artists sketchbook he had made--showing him doing various things. One sketch I remember well because it was rather comical--was of a sketch of him made showing him bringing in alone--around 12-15 Chinese Soldiers that surrendered to him and what was funny was--they all towered over me Day. My dad carried an M1-or m2? Carbine and a Colt .45. The only other story I remember that my dad told--was that when he was stationed I think--in or near Osaka, Japan??? that he started a Crap Game in a Latrine--that lasted a week.

 

Three Uncles who served in WWII.

I had three Uncles that I know of who served in WWII and depending on how long it takes to talk about them--I might have to do more multi posts-as I found out there seems to be a login time limit?

My first Uncle, uncle Herbert--I dont know much of his service except that In WWII--he served in General Simon Bolivar Buckners Division (unkn to me what the Div Nr is?) This Uncle also served on Okinawa. He had lifelong nightmares because of his service due to being one of those who carried a Flamethrower.

All I really know is that he saw when General Buckner was killed, and on Okinawa--he was one of three in his entire Company that came out unscathed. He refused to tell any stories and I cant blame him. I caught only part of one that he was telling when he was talking with my Dad during one of his visits to our home. He was with an unkn sized unit that had been in the field for at least a month and one time the Japs infiltrated and killed all but he and two others. My Uncle was sleeping between two friends whose throats had been slashed during the night and he never knew why he was spared? Probably as some kind of a lesson? Anyway, he found two other survivors and took them about a week to get back to their units. I know absolutely nothing else about his service.

 

2nd and 3rd Uncles who served in WWII.

My 2nd Uncle to serve in WWII--was Uncle Bud--who served in the 101st Airborne Division and saw extensive action during the Battle of the Bulge. I never had much a chance to talk with this Uncle as they moved around a lot. Anyway, one of few times they stayed put for awhile--I did get a couple stories form him.

One was when he was in Bastogne--and he talked about a German Tank attack on his position. All G.I's who fought against German Tanks said they were Tiger tanks--and my uncle said that his position was attacked on Christmas day (same day as my friend: Sarge Bill's Uncle) was killed in Bastogne also serving with the Screaming Eagles. Anyway, allegedly the Germans sent in three Tiger tanks--and my Uncle said he killed one with a Bazooka--but "lost" the bazooka when another tank fired their MGs at he and his bazooka loader. The loader supposedly got wounded and dragged into a building by my Uncle--the bazooka supposedly got smashed by the treads of the German tank.

The only other story I ever was told was one that took place at wars end or shortly after. Supposedly my Uncle Bud and a friend of his has a still--and got blind-stinking drunk--stole a Generals Jeep, and were being chased by MPs-whom they supposedly eluded. I cant factually prove anything he said was true--but he was there and I wasnt.

The 3rd Uncle was a Navy Officer and served in the Pacific on a Destroyer or a Cruiser???. This was my Uncle Billy. I never met him so I know nothing of what he went through.

 

Somehting I forgot to mention about the SS FOrt Lee and my Grandfather.

If you want to know more about the SS Fort Lee and what happened on Nov 2nd 1944? the Uboat.net as well as the Merchant Marines sites all have info-or had info--listed about this--also-when I was at the 9th reunion as guest of honor--a female reporter from hamburg came and interviewed the vets as well as Susanne and myself. There are two photos posted somewhere on the internet-as well as the story in both English and in German. Since that was 12 years ago--I dont know how to find the info but I do know it is still out there somewhere?