World War 2 (WWII) Over Today - 7th May 1945

[Vortigern99]

My grandfather -- my mother's father -- served in the US Navy during the war; he was on both Omaha Beach (the one featured in Saving Private Ryan) and at the Battle of the Bulge. He said Omaha was a cake-walk compared to the Bulge, but he never gave details. He came home in a body cast with a broken back (but his spine was intact). If he had been killed, my mother and consequently I would never have been born.

I'm a "peacenik" and a conscientious objector to war in general, so I cannot imagine what "Pawpaw" must have gone through to help defeat the Nazis. It literally defies my understanding. But I recognize and honor his sacrifice, and that of all who served in WWII.

[lepage]

My Wife was born and raised in London as was her Mother and mother before her. My Mother in law (me mum) shared with me what it was like when Germany was bombing them. She was just a little girl but remembers it very clearly. She said that a lot of them took shelter in the underground "Mind the gap!"
I love going over there because it is so rich in military history. The Imperial War museum in London is one for the books. They have this area that is a walkthrough experience and it is like walking through the streets of London just after it was bombed with fire, debri, broken water mains, ect. Amazing stuff!
I also got the chance to stand at one of the reservoirs where the Lancasters tested the dam buster bombs.

Back here in the U.S.

I have two Uncles that served during ww2. My favorite uncle who doesnt live too far from me was on a P.T. boat in New guinea. He was a gunners mate and was either on the 40mm or the 50 cal turret. He was awarded the silver star during a rescue operation.

My other uncle was sent to Africa to remove land minds after Rommel was pushed out. He went through his entire tour without a scratch. After the Japanese had surrendered and the war was officially over, They said he was going home but first he had to go to this little place off the coast of Alaska Alucian Islands (spelling?). They were sent to get the Japanese soldiers out but none of the Japanese soldiers knew the war was over and one of them took my Uncle by surprise and stuck my Uncle in the gut with a bayonnet. He came to in a Seattle hospital.

[Adam West]

That's because the Soviet Union was not our ally in WWII. We agreed not to fight each other but also were not in any kind of alliance to protect each other either.

[nvmbrsdoom5]

Well, you sorta missed the point. Of course all the allies played a part. My point was that during the cold war, The Soviet Union's part seemed to always be downplayed in American classrooms--when in fact their contribution was MASSIVE in defeating the Nazis.....

Oh no I agree completely and understood the point! I was just mentioning some other allies who are also downplayed in many history classes as well. And you're right, during the cold war there was the tendency to just downplay the Soviet's importance in the outcome of WWII, unfortunately.

[toystalker]

true true, i didnt overlook that i just wanted to big up the brits lol

grandfather on my father side was russian and in the russian army, i dont know that side of the fam though... so called father left when i was 2, i would have loved to have gotten to hear some of them old war stories

[megoat]

All of the allies were important in World War 2, not just the U.S. Just look at the Canadian Army, who were largely responsible for liberating the Netherlands from the Nazi, and rescued many Dutch Jews and the people who were hiding and helping them. They also fought at Normandy in '44 and helped win important battles in Belgium, etc.

yikes dont forget the great british

my gramp was in the war, he had both ears cut off in a pow camp, he made it home though

never forget the brits especially the welsh dragoons

Well, you sorta missed the point. Of course all the allies played a part. My point was that during the cold war, The Soviet Union's part seemed to always be downplayed in American classrooms--when in fact their contribution was MASSIVE in defeating the Nazis.....

[Mikey]

You lost a school chum in Iraq due to friendly fire ?

Man, that's so tragic

What happened ?

[toystalker]

It's funny, growing up in cold war America, we were of course taught that we alone saved the day in Europe. The truth of the matter is, without the Soviets kicking major arse on the eastern front (first just surviving the Nazi onslaught--then kicking arse), D-day woulda been next to impossible.

yikes dont forget the great british

my gramp was in the war, he had both ears cut off in a pow camp, he made it home though

never forget the brits especially the welsh dragoons

no disprespect to anyone here either but you guys do your fair share of damage too, i lost a good old school mate out in iraq when he was caught in so called friendly fire from your guys.
im glad we work as a team though, abbott and costello, morecamb and wise, tom and jerry

[nvmbrsdoom5]

It's funny, growing up in cold war America, we were of course taught that we alone saved the day in Europe. The truth of the matter is, without the Soviets kicking major arse on the eastern front (first just surviving the Nazi onslaught--then kicking arse), D-day woulda been next to impossible.

All of the allies were important in World War 2, not just the U.S. Just look at the Canadian Army, who were largely responsible for liberating the Netherlands from the Nazi, and rescued many Dutch Jews and the people who were hiding and helping them. They also fought at Normandy in '44 and helped win important battles in Belgium, etc.

My grandfather fought the Japanese during WW2. He received a medal, I forget which one (might've been the Silver Star?) for something he did over there, but he would never tell any of his family the story of what happened, and took it to his grave. Everyone well knows of the atrocities of the Nazis, but man the Japanese forces were vicious. After hearing and reading some of the stories that I have about that, I'm not surprised many soliders refused to discuss it especially to loved ones.

[Hotfoot]

Very touching tribute to the Soldiers of WWII and Korea

http://www.managedmusic.com/php/BYGI...p?page=playBYG

[Adam West]

That's was Germany's big mistake. Trying to fight a two front war. Things could have been far worse had Stalin and Hitler allied with one another.

[megoat]

It's funny, growing up in cold war America, we were of course taught that we alone saved the day in Europe. The truth of the matter is, without the Soviets kicking major arse on the eastern front (first just surviving the Nazi onslaught--then kicking arse), D-day woulda been next to impossible.

[Adam West]

World War II was one of the only necessary wars. Many countries, including the United States had no choice but to fight. It was either fight, be killer or be taken over by Hitler's band of whacko's.

True story: Hilter actually contacted Henry Ford at Ford Motors, during the war, and wanted to place an order for a significant number of tanks. Hilter told Ford that he need not ship them to Germany. Hitler stated that he would pick them up on his way through Detroit.

- Ian

20/20 is hindsight. Many people might disagree with our involvement with certain conflicts past and present but it's difficult to run the What If scenarios and call wars necessary or not.

As a side note, I'm not sure Germany would have been able to defeat England had we not been involved.

[misterdroid]

True story: Hilter actually contacted Henry Ford at Ford Motors, during the war, and wanted to place an order for a significant number of tanks. Hilter told Ford that he need not ship them to Germany. Hitler stated that he would pick them up on his way through Detroit.

Hitler was a pretty big fan of Ford. Had his picture in his office and gave him the highest decoration awarded to a foreigner. Ford is also the only foreigner mentioned in Mein Kampf.
Here is an old, but interesting, article about some of the connection between Detroit automakers and the early German war machine.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv...nazicars30.htm
I don't think they had any special sympathy for the Nazi cause (well, Ford is questionable, he was up to some strangeness in the 20's), but instead were just greedy fatcats double dealing as long they could keep the money coming in.

[EmergencyIan]

World War II was one of the only necessary wars. Many countries, including the United States had no choice but to fight. It was either fight, be killer or be taken over by Hitler's band of whacko's.

True story: Hilter actually contacted Henry Ford at Ford Motors, during the war, and wanted to place an order for a significant number of tanks. Hilter told Ford that he need not ship them to Germany. Hitler stated that he would pick them up on his way through Detroit.

- Ian