Hello, I was recently cruising google doing my usual nightly WWII research, came accross this forum, and decided to join. I am very interested in contacting German vets, particularly Waffen SS vets. I have great respect for the military accomplishments and the stories of these great vets which are truly treasures that are slipping away at an alarming rate, and one that I've felt personally. My great-grandfather, a German WWII vet, past away a few years ago. I would like to at least touch base with as many surviving vets as possible, if just to connect with them somehow after their accomplishments over 60 years ago. If you have any addresses, I would greatly appreciate if you could PM me with them. Thanks for the help and I look forward to hearing from you all!
well..personally I don't think its a particularly good idea ...these people have been dreadfully pestered in the past by 'researchers', autograph and photo collectors and possibly should be allowed to live out their remaining few years in peace without having to read more letters asking how it was ... however it that doesn't deter you .... be aware that most vets will only reply if (a) you write to them in German (b) you include a few dollars (or Euros) to cover return postage ....and then be prepared for a long wait
Make no mistake, I'm not trying to pester anyone. Most old vets I've met have been happy to share their experiences with me. It seems that most people aren't even interested in the lives they have led. As a combat vet, I understand being constantly asked questions to the point of annoyment. I have also found that vets talk to other vets in a different way. I'm no veteran of Falaise, D-Day, Bastogne........but on some level, going to war is the same for every conflict and generation. As far as the German part, not a problem......nor is the paid postage or waiting. So that being said.....is anyone willing to help me? I would greatly appreciate it.
I'm not sure it's a good idea either Horrido! It's not that anyone has a personal vendetta against you, but there have been a great many horror stories from vets about those that contact them for info, and taken advantage of them. Remember, these are very old men who have fought in bitter combat. The memories of their past are not pleasant. Even the most professional historian must exercise tact and be mindful of their past traumas. The last thing they need is someone sending them a letter out of the blue asking them for a signed photo and how many Russians they killed. I'm not saying you would do this, heck you might become the worlds' best WWII historian but we don't actually know that yet. Contacting veterans is about building a long-term relationship based on trust. As such, you must forgive the WWIIF members here for being a little protective of these veterans, especially when it comes to a member who is only 4 posts deep into their relationship here. That said, I encourage you to follow your research in the most professional and tactful way possible. Keep you eye out for our Military Service Record & Genealogical Research Forum, later today, I'll be posting a series of veteran interview questions, they might help your research. Cheers,
..very well put Otto...you mention many points made by an author friend of mine, who describes his relationship to veterans of the unit he was researching -and how he tracked them down ... Interview with Jean-Yves Lorant historian of JG300
I've have similar thoughts as Falke and Otto and several others on this board could chime in with the same ideas. Personally in your case you are better to try and contact veterans of your relatives unit for starts. Sadly we are at a point in history where many of the surviving Ww 2 vets of all sides are in their upper years proudly carrying on with life and leaving the horrible years of war far behind them. some of us have had fortune in the past 20 odd years to contact them when their minds were bright and could and decided to share stories of terrible events. Look around here and see for yourself whom are members that have already and are continuing to share parts of their lives through a time that took their youth away from them. in ending all I can say is good luck but expect slow response(s). Aside from this site a suggstion is to look on the front page of feldgrau.net for organizations. At one time this web-site listed many Wehrmacht and W-SS veteran associations. Some due to inactivity may have fallen by the wayside which would be normal. understand that the usual German treffens are not being held on a yearly basis anymkore as standard
Not that I'm an expert on these matters, by no means, but bear in mind that a veteran 20 years old in 1945 will be 82-83 by now, and will most likely suffer from Alzheimer, arteriosclerosis and other old age related illnesses, not to mention the trauma of having gone through all that. I think the golden age for contacting vets is already past.
Very likely true Za. At my church, there were about 5 WWII combat veterans worshiping there when we joined 10 years ago. We have one left, but he is in very good shape at 84. You'd think he was in his late 60s, maybe early 70s. He will talk about it and was in the 30th ID, in recon, driving the M-8s. Mr Joe Bush was in the 5th ID from Normandy to May 8, 1945 and handled a 30cal mg. He said he was the only one from his platoon to still be there when peace came. He was very quiet about it, but would talk to me about it. He died last Autumn.
I go back to this. It may depend on whom you know as a matter of trust. I have been fortunate for the last year to know 7-10 former pilots of the 356th fg. As I was chatting from pilot to pilot mentioning their former buddies one at a time you cannot imagine how fast the guys warmed up. Some of the pilots anguished with me on remembrances others were very very open for any and all questions to be answered as best of their ability and then 2 of them even invited me to talk with them personally one on one over a beer and see their photo collections. It is a matter of wording and regard. If you are genuine then they will be genuine. On the other hand if you are after something of theirs as your priority be prepared to be shut down immediately......... E ~
Thanks so much for the replys guys. I fully understand and agree with your sentiments regarding this matter. The concerns you've voiced about my interest in veterans are valid, and I never considered the fact that I was a stranger to this forum and its members. I just feel like time is short and I would like to dedicate what time I have left to corresponding with these old soldiers, and just get to know them better personally, and not for anything they can do for me. I'm only 24, but ever since I was young, I would say 9 or 10, my mom would drop me off at the local veterans association or the nursing home, just to speak with the old vets there about their experiences. Now, as a vet myself, speaking with old soldiers from wars past has taken on a deeper meaning to me. I just wanted to sort of clear the waters, not in an attempt to gain anyone's trust.....as I know I'm still very new here, but as a way of expressing that I'm not some sort of treasure hunter trying to get whatever I can from old vets. I've always had the thought of writing German vets for years now, but never knew how to go about it. My great grandfather couldn't keep his mind of track long enough to give me information on any of his WSS buddies! I recently started to collect signed photos of WSS and Luft aces, and this is where I got the renewed interest in writing to vets. I would appreciate it greatly if you could direct me in the right direction, as I really have no idea how to go about this. I know it's almost impossible through an online forum, but I hope you have an inkling of the genuine nature of my interest. Thanks guys. Cheers.
Go to the nursing home and visit those old boys. They'd love to talk to you and would appreciate you taking the effort to visit them. Last Autumn, our church visited and entertained people at a nursing home here in town. I got to talking to man from the US 95th Dvision, who was, incidentally, 95. We didn't have much time to talk but he had a good clear mind and was proud of what he did. I should go back to see him, but...
There is a significant difference with Allied Vets and German Vets. The German vets are part of the loosing side and the concensus is that history was dictated by the victors. There is only one "traitor" close to home and he lives next to my grandad. He is called "Nordland" to this day. He fought with the Nordland regiment in Barbarossa, and is not inclined to talk about it much. For the traitors who fought under Hitlers banner there was no future after the war. First imprisonment the loss of certain rights for a period of time. If I am not mistaken Nordland could not buy a house, nor get a loan. His wife had to do that. He was lucky and got a job with his brother who (and here is a goodie) is a veteran of the Linge group. So the traitor and the Hero worked side by side.
Horrido recheck my postings above as I included a web-site to check for vets organizations sorry Jäger I have never had probs with German vets nor US as long as I made the proper connections and that is what it is all about simply put any veteran from the war is getting burned out and tired of reliving those times
