NationStates Jolt Archive

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?


Smile and nod. There's nothing else you can do, really. I know that from my own grandparents...

Ask him for some Nazi memoribilia to sell.

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?

I wouldn't have any problem whatsoever with it. I don't hold the average soldier responsible for what his government did. I'd probably ask to hear a war story or two.

You deal with people who don't agree with you everyday, what makes this different?

At this point, nothing. He may regret the things he did in the past. I wouldn't think of doing anything at all unless you found out he agrees with Nazi policy today.

You realise that he might not be a Nazi, just someone drafted up by the German government of the time who has fond memories of those he fought alongside?:

At this point, nothing. He may regret the things he did in the past. I wouldn't think of doing anything at all unless you found out he agrees with Nazi policy today.

Even then why bother bringing it up?

I wouldn't have any problem whatsoever with it. I don't hold the average soldier responsible for what his government did. I'd probably ask to hear a war story or two.
And I'd do the same.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?
How do you know he's diametrically opposite to your political views, until you talk to him?
And even if he is, think of the opportunity you've got to actually find out via first-hand knowledge what it was like being in the Wehrmacht during WWII. That's something a book can't give you.

I'm jealous of the opportunity that's being presented to you. Talk to him, ask him about his experiences - but don't judge him (at least don't judge him to his face). As soon as you start arguing with him about his experiences, he'll clam up and won't talk to you again.

he's no different than anyone else who goes along with the crowd and accepts what their leaders tell them. you should treat him exactly like you treat a patriotic american - because he's the same thing, from a different era.

Even then why bother bringing it up?Lol. Well, I don't mean asking him, but rather if he starts talking about exterminating Jews or some other such nonsense without prompting from Righteous Munchee-Love.

You deal with people who don't agree with you everyday, what makes this different?

That this is one of the persons that utterly wrecked my continent by complicity in the biggest crime of the last century - you don't get to meet many of these anymore.

I wouldn't have any problem whatsoever with it. I don't hold the average soldier responsible for what his government did.

I don't really hold him responsible, but he did take part in what the government did, so a small part is to blame on him - especially as he obviously has not distanced himself from his part, but shows quite some pride about it.

Smile and nod.
That's what I finally opted for, but it makes me sick to pretend to treat a person like this like any other guy.

Do you hold every German alive during the war responsible for their government's actions?

Lol. Well, I don't mean asking him, but rather if he starts talking about exterminating Jews or some other such nonsense without prompting from Righteous Munchee-Love.

He's an old man in a retirement home. Lets be honest, even if he did start talking like that who is likely to listen to him.

One of the good sides of people not listening to the elderly

I don't really hold him responsible, but he did take part in what the government did, so a small part is to blame on him - especially as he obviously has not distanced himself from his part, but shows quite some pride about it.




What's he proud of? Is he just proud of serving in his nation's military honorably? That's not a problem. If he's proud of helping to defend Hitler's death camps then it's a problem. You won't know until you talk to him. I support the US troops who went to Iraq, even though there was no reason to send them there and it was a massive waste of life and money. Why? Because most of them served honorably when the nation called upon them.

He may regret the things he did in the past. I wouldn't think of doing anything at all unless you found out he agrees with Nazi policy today.

He may. I forgot to mention the document declairing him to be 'a true friend of the Panzer Brigade 35', issued sometime in the '60s.

You realise that he might not be a Nazi, just someone drafted up by the German government of the time who has fond memories of those he fought alongside?:

I realize that.

How do you know he's diametrically opposite to your political views, until you talk to him?

First off, he was a soldier. That indicates some contrariness to my beliefs.

And even if he is, think of the opportunity you've got to actually find out via first-hand knowledge what it was like being in the Wehrmacht during WWII. That's something a book can't give you.

I'm jealous of the opportunity that's being presented to you. Talk to him, ask him about his experiences - but don't judge him (at least don't judge him to his face). As soon as you start arguing with him about his experiences, he'll clam up and won't talk to you again.

That holds some truth, as I'm quite interested in history, and up until now 'only' got to speak to the odd holocaust survivor, so he may well give me some insights I have no access to otherwise. This is a point of view I have not considered before.

Do you hold every German alive during the war responsible for their government's actions?

As long as they did not act against the government, yes. Complicity is a crime, IMO.

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?
ask him for stories. listen, ask questions, but don't be confrontational, don't challange his actions/ideals... why?
1) just because he fought on the German side may not mean he subscribed to all of their ideals.
2) you have an opportunity to hear about the battles from the other viewpoint... an opportunity to put a HUMAN face on the historical Nazi.
3) it's history.
4) he probably has nothing else but his memories.

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?

Just because he served in the German armed forces doesn't mean he supported the politics of the war. And just because he has pride in serving his country doesn't mean he's a bad person either.

I would say, don't assume. I always give people the benefit of the doubt.

I wouldn't have any problem whatsoever with it. I don't hold the average soldier responsible for what his government did. I'd probably ask to hear a war story or two.

And I'd do the same.
Yeah, if only out of curiosity of perspective.
He may. I forgot to mention the document declairing him to be 'a true friend of the Panzer Brigade 35', issued sometime in the '60s.



I realize that.



First off, he was a soldier. That indicates some contrariness to my beliefs.



That holds some truth, as I'm quite interested in history, and up until now 'only' got to speak to the odd holocaust survivor, so he may well give me some insights I have no access to otherwise. This is a point of view I have not considered before.

Then start considering and be more tolerant.

What's he proud of? Is he just proud of serving in his nation's military honorably? That's not a problem.

I seriously hope this is the case. I could live with this.

ask him for stories. listen, ask questions, but don't be confrontational, don't challange his actions/ideals... why?
1) just because he fought on the German side may not mean he subscribed to all of their ideals.
2) you have an opportunity to hear about the battles from the other viewpoint... an opportunity to put a HUMAN face on the historical Nazi.
3) it's history.
4) he probably has nothing else but his memories.

to 1. Well, he subscribed to this ideals enough to die for them.
to 2. As mentioned, I had not really considered this before, but I'm not sure to put a human face on the historical nazi, taking into consideration that's what most of the German main stream media has been trying to do for the last 50 years.
to 3. Yup. So?
to 4. Sad, but propably right.

And just because he has pride in serving his country doesn't mean he's a bad person either.

Taking pride in serving your country by killing other people - for no reason other than they are trying to throw out murdering invasors - is despicably, in my book.

Then start considering and be more tolerant.

I did mention I treated him like the other inhabitants? And I will not be tolerant of nazis, sorry.


edit: Thanks for the input, I'll log off now, as I need some time to think this through.

I did mention I treated him like the other inhabitants? And I will not be tolerant of nazis, sorry.

Why not? They have as much a right to their beliefs as you do.

Why not? They have as much a right to their beliefs as you do.

As their belief includes killing any opposition and enslaving the rest of mankind, I disagree.

Anyways, I'll be back later, to see what this turned into.

As their belief includes killing any opposition and enslaving the rest of mankind, I disagree.

Anyways, I'll be back later, to see what this turned into.

I'm not saying their beliefs are moral. But they still have a right to them. It's immoral to say they don't.

And I'd do the same.

Me as well. I'ld get as many stories written down/taped and make copies of his photos and letters.

being intolerant, incosiderate, and believing you are taking the moral high ground sounds very nazi like to me...

One option could be to circumcise him while he's asleep and make him think he's Jewish.

He was in Russia AND Africa? Boy, he got around.

I'd love to hear his story.

Everyone has their reasons... not that I'm condoning what the Nazis did in any way, shape or form... but history's history... and I'd like to hear his side of it.

I too don't support what the nazi's did... but remember this... "History Is Written By The Victors"

I agree with the other people - until you know otherwise, don't treat him like a Nazi. No, being from Luxembourg, i'm probably biased, but I have to admit, I've met an old(ish) man who was a Nazi and was totally unsure how to treat him - I could hardly say 'You helped conquer my country, didn't you?' In fact, some older Luxembourgers won't even speak to Nazis. But that's nothing like your problem. so sorry for the lack of aid.

Remember that episode from Fawlty Towers...Don't mention the war:D

In my experience (from the US) , getting old vets from different sides of a conflict together is always entertaining. I've yet to see a case where they were hostile to eachother. I saw one where they got the Japanese and American pilots from Pearl Harbor together for dinner. They had a blast talking about the dogfights that they had against eachother.

1) just because he fought on the German side may not mean he subscribed to all of their ideals.
to 1. Well, he subscribed to this ideals enough to die for them. so you know that he volunteered because he believed the nazi creed and not that he was either drafted or he only knew that his country was at war...
2) you have an opportunity to hear about the battles from the other viewpoint... an opportunity to put a HUMAN face on the historical Nazi.
to 2. As mentioned, I had not really considered this before, but I'm not sure to put a human face on the historical nazi, taking into consideration that's what most of the German main stream media has been trying to do for the last 50 years.and you have an opportunity to talk to someone who was there, and not what is filtered by the media. and since he was in the AfrikaKorps... he might have met Rommel... you can find out what he was really like... (he may have even fought against Patton... ;) ) who knows...
3) it's history.
to 3. Yup. So?it shouldn't be lost. It might make him feel better knowing his story will live on in someone's memory... if you want, you can collect some questions from us, and post his replies...

hmmm... him and Eut talking... oh to hear that conversation...

I'd have fun speaking with him about the war, if he was just a regular german wermacht soldier and not a member of the SS or any war crimes, then you should'nt feel bad about him. He was a soldier on the wrong side of the line. He thought he was fighting for his family and his nation. I mean people in this nation don't avoid Vietnam vets just because of the atrocities MACVSOG commited, because the majority of them were good people. I think you should talk to him about the war and you'd probably be suprised at how much he probably hates what the Nazi's led his nation into.

I always find it nice to talk to someone of opposite political views without screaming and pointing in the air.Talk to him about the war,I bet he's got some interesting stories to tell.

Not all Nazis faught because they beleaves in Hitlers ideas, they faught for the country and they faought becaouse if they didnt they would be shot or have to flea.
i'm sure thier are things ( Some bigger some smaller) that all of us do not because we want to but we must.

What a great opportunity to speak with a time witness. Maybe you should look beyond your prejudice and you might even learn something interesting?

Remember, not everyone who fought for Germany and in the Wehrmacht were Nazis.

That's what I finally opted for, but it makes me sick to pretend to treat a person like this like any other guy.

I know it's difficult. But keep in mind he's old. What he's showing you there is basically his youth, the time when he was young... I think it's sad enough that he was forced to waste his youth in such times. But people have a tendency to cling to their memories from when they were young, no matter if they are objectionable or not.

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?

http://i11.ebayimg.com/02/i/08/04/4d/02_2.JPG

http://i11.ebayimg.com/02/i/08/04/4d/02_2.JPG

With the inmates of an old folks home? That could be fun indeed....

With the inmates of an old folks home? That could be fun indeed....

People would be tripping over stuff they shouldn't be tripping over. Lots of broken hips. Fun. :)

He was in Russia AND Africa? Boy, he got around.
Kinda like Rommel in WWI. He was all over the place. Literally. All fronts.
http://i11.ebayimg.com/02/i/08/04/4d/02_2.JPG

People would be tripping over stuff they shouldn't be tripping over. Lots of broken hips. Fun. :)

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

I think this very thread shows what I think is a despicable way to teach history.

The OP has obviously been taught with the whole ‘Germans are evil nazi baby killers’ kind of brainwashing. The holocaust is the only thing focused on during the war, and everyone is taught that it was entirely a war of ideals, pitting the freedom-loving egalitarian equal-rights societies (which we obviously were) against the evil racist psychopathic Germans (every last one of them were homicidal baby killers of course).

Unfortunately this type of white-washing history is endemic. This is one of the reasons why I had utter contempt for my history classes (much like Hitler himself had – one part of Mein Kampf I agreed with). Additionally, if you want to lampoon me because I actually agree with something Hitler said, just because Hitler said it, you really need to pick up a book and expand your mind.

Immediately labeling this guy as an evil homicidal racist is the height of ignorance.
Open your mind and actually use it.

I think this very thread shows what I think is a despicable way to teach history.

The OP has obviously been taught with the whole ‘Germans are evil nazi baby killers’ kind of brainwashing. The holocaust is the only thing focused on during the war, and everyone is taught that it was entirely a war of ideals, pitting the freedom-loving egalitarian equal-rights societies (which we obviously were) against the evil racist psychopathic Germans (every last one of them were homicidal baby killers of course).

Unfortunately this type of white-washing history is endemic. This is one of the reasons why I had utter contempt for my history classes (much like Hitler himself had – one part of Mein Kampf I agreed with). Additionally, if you want to lampoon me because I actually agree with something Hitler said, just because Hitler said it, you really need to pick up a book and expand your mind.

Immediately labeling this guy as an evil homicidal racist is the height of ignorance.
Open your mind and actually use it.


http://i11.ebayimg.com/02/i/08/04/4d/02_2.JPG

:D

http://i11.ebayimg.com/02/i/08/04/4d/02_2.JPG

:D

It never gets old.:D

I think this very thread shows what I think is a despicable way to teach history.

The OP has obviously been taught with the whole ‘Germans are evil nazi baby killers’ kind of brainwashing. The holocaust is the only thing focused on during the war, and everyone is taught that it was entirely a war of ideals, pitting the freedom-loving egalitarian equal-rights societies (which we obviously were) against the evil racist psychopathic Germans (every last one of them were homicidal baby killers of course).

Unfortunately this type of white-washing history is endemic. This is one of the reasons why I had utter contempt for my history classes (much like Hitler himself had – one part of Mein Kampf I agreed with). Additionally, if you want to lampoon me because I actually agree with something Hitler said, just because Hitler said it, you really need to pick up a book and expand your mind.

Immediately labeling this guy as an evil homicidal racist is the height of ignorance.
Open your mind and actually use it.


Speaking as the daughter and granddaughter of Nazis, what part of the war can you possibly justify from Germany's side?

http://i11.ebayimg.com/02/i/08/04/4d/02_2.JPG

:D

*undresses* :p

Speaking as the daughter and granddaughter of Nazis, what part of the war can you possibly justify from Germany's side?
I don't think it's justifying the war, but painting all German Soilders as Nazi Warmongers who subscribe to the Nazi Creed.

Well, a former conscripted Nazi youth already leads the largest religious organization on the planet, nobody has any deal with that.

Just ask him man, if he cries out 'Sieg Heil' during your conversation and does the Nazi salute...I may recommend getting out of that post. If not, and he just talks about life before, during, and after the war, or if he was a POW or not, etc.Then it's fine...

Actually, which side did he surrender to? I want to know that...

I don't think it's justifying the war, but painting all German Soilders as Nazi Warmongers who subscribe to the Nazi Creed.

True, I wouldn't agree with that, either. I will however hold it against every single Wehrmacht soldier not to have taken even the smallest action to prevent artrocities, and I include my family here.
I've been fed that old lullabies "we didn't know anything, noboy ever told us" and "there was nothing we could have done, we had to obey and kill", they tasted of the easy way out and they taste of cowardice and complacency now.

That doesn't mean I'd walk up to an old man reveling in his nostalgic memories of his youth and give him an arrogant dressing-down on why he didn't help the White Rose or even Stauffenberg. That's pointless.
It happened, and it happened 60 years ago. It's history to all but very few now. I hope that I learned the lesson and will not stand by and obey.

So much too write, so little time...

I take my job quite serious, and one of the job's requirements coincidences with one of my personal ideals, to treat everyone equally. Thus I take great care to treat this guy like all other patients, no negligence, no dressing-down, no nothing.

The problem I have is that he shows no small amount of pride about his past. I have met other veterans before, professionally as well as privately - my grandfather comes to mind - but he is the first one to not show an inch of remorse or sadness when talking about this period of his past.
Of course, you don't tell any random person about whom you've killed in your youth, to put it drastically; yet he took enough instant liking to me to show me that picture first thing when we met. This - might - indicate a stance of mind I don't quite like.

Not all Wehrmacht soldiers were racial warmongers, that's for sure; I am especially aware that the African theatre was fought largely without the 'racial zeal' taking place in the east. Yet the Wehrmacht was heavily involved in enforcing the 'final solution', and they were - except police forces and SS - the only ones armed. Thus I daresay there is an amount of blame to lay on each and every single Wehrmacht soldier not acting out against the atrocities taking place.

I repeat, this does not influence my treating him professionally.

Alas, enough brooding for now - I'll follow LG's advice before going to bed to lighten my mood a little.
*starts undressing*

And ere I forget, I like your idea, JuNii. Feel free to suggest questions, I'll see if I can sneak them into conversation. Mayhaps it aids me understand his motivations - and should he truly turn out to be a nazi, I can still despise him later on ;)

edit: Looks quite confusing, I know, but I'm tired and confused, so there. More tommorrow, g'night!

And ere I forget, I like your idea, JuNii. Feel free to suggest questions, I'll see if I can sneak them into conversation. Mayhaps it aids me understand his motivations - and should he truly turn out to be a nazi, I can still despise him later on ;)


start with simple ones...


1) Did he meet Rommel and what was his impression of the man.

2) Did he meet Hitler... what was he really like?

3) (for when you really have time) what does he consider his memorable part of the war?

start with simple ones...


1) Did he meet Rommel and what was his impression of the man.

2) Did he meet Hitler... what was he really like?

3) (for when you really have time) what does he consider his memorable part of the war?

4) What was Eva Braun really like?

4) What was Eva Braun really like?

Hahaha...I'm distantly related to Einstein & my maternal grandmother met him once. My mother asked her about her impressions of him; my grandmother shot back, "He was a smelly old man who couldn't dress well."

Priorities.

I'd just sit & listen to him. And ask if anyone ever thought "Who the FUCK thought tanks in desert heat was a good idea?!?"

Hahaha...I'm distantly related to Einstein & my maternal grandmother met him once. My mother asked her about her impressions of him; my grandmother shot back, "He was a smelly old man who couldn't dress well."
:D
Priorities.

I'd just sit & listen to him. And ask if anyone ever thought "Who the FUCK thought tanks in desert heat was a good idea?!?"

Good question, though they did work out pretty well, all things considered. Not like in Russia where they had to keep fires burning underneath the tanks so the diesel fuel wouldn't turn into a solid in the fuel tank.

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?


The man was Wehrmacht, not Waffen SS, not SS. Granted, some WH units committed war crimes. I am thinking that if he was showing you the memorial plate for his DAK Service ('41-43? Shit, that man was there for the duration) and so on so forth, he probably didn't do anything wrong.

How would I react? I would be spending a lot of time talking about old comrades and the war. It's always good to hear "the other side," especially for a Westerner who ends up being force-fed Americanized crap in a constant stream.

As long as they did not act against the government, yes. Complicity is a crime, IMO.

Not everyone is brave enough to risk death or horrors to save people they don't even know. Hell, some people aren't brave enough to save their families. Cowardice is not complicity. Lack of courage is not a crime.

I know a guy who lived in a tiny village in the middle of the Schwarzwald (the Black Forest) during the war. He was my German tutor in high school. He was also a member of the Hitler Youth. At first I was horrified. But then he started explaining how he had come to be a member of the movement. And I understood for the first time what it was like to be living in Germany at the time for ordinary Germans.

He told me that one day, soldiers came to his village and handed out uniforms. They told them that they were now members of the youth organisation and that they should study their German history hard and learn about all the traditions that made Germany a great nation. They taught them traditional dances and took photos of them in traditional dress and in the uniforms. A few boys were members of another group in the town. They refused to join the Hitler Youth. A few nights later, the families of those who didn't join disappeared. Is he complicit?

Noone in the town had any idea of what was happening outside in Germany and Europe. All they knew was that if they said no, they would disappear.

Now imagine living right next to a camp, and knowing what was going on inside. Imagine looking at your children and knowing that if you speak up, that they will be in the ovens. How can you criticise ordinary Europeans, who were not soldiers, who would have died had they tried to help, for following their instincts and surviving?

I don't like to think that I would stand by and let something that awful happen, but then I don't have children. I don't have brothers and sisters. My parents raised me to stand up for what I believe, even at the risk of being unpopular or worse. If I had children, I would probably act quite differently.

Speaking as the daughter and granddaughter of Nazis, what part of the war can you possibly justify from Germany's side?

The part where they took all our cash and land in 1919.

Granted, some WH units committed war crimes.

And the Allies didn't? :rolleyes:

Lol. Well, I don't mean asking him, but rather if he starts talking about exterminating Jews or some other such nonsense without prompting from Righteous Munchee-Love.

Because that's such a typical topic of conversation from a 90 year old. "Yeah, we really had fun killing all those people and knowing they were being cremated."

The part where they took all our cash and land in 1919.

I never knew they took cash and lands from Australia? :confused:

The part where they took all our cash and land in 1919.
It was just two thirds of the land, and at least they took the people there, too.:p
And the Allies didn't? :rolleyes:
The Soviets were the worst. At least in Europe.

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?
I would try and get into conversation with the guy, i'd be absolutly attentive.
I'm sure he'd be able to tell me many wonderful stories about the desert war.

Ask him for some Nazi memoribilia to sell.

yep. me 2 and ask him if he has the same view now that he did then. and listen to his stories. old nazis rock.

I would try and get into conversation with the guy, i'd be absolutly attentive.
I'm sure he'd be able to tell me many wonderful stories about the desert war.
Maybe even some about some of the famous tank battles on the Soviet plains.
yep. me 2 and ask him if he has the same view now that he did then. and listen to his stories. old nazis rock.

I wouldn't sell the stuff. I'd keep it, then sell it much later for a bigger retirement fund. That's the sort of investment that matures with time, you know.

I wouldn't sell the stuff. I'd keep it, then sell it much later for a bigger retirement fund. That's the sort of investment that matures with time, you know.

This is true.

This is true.

Besides, you never know when an old MG42 is gonna come in handy.:)

Besides, you never know when an old MG42 is gonna come in handy.:)

Also true, though you don't want to be relying on a gun from a different millenium.

Also true, though you don't want to be relying on a gun from a different millenium.
Apart from the M16, the AKs, G3... well, pretty much every gun in use by modern militaries :p

Besides, you never know when an old MG42 is gonna come in handy.:)

against zombie hordes atleast. :D

The Soviets were the worst. At least in Europe.

I know a few lithuanians who have grandparents/parents who view the Nazis as the 'Good' guys of the war (in how it affected them) as their only comparison was the Soviets.

I know a few lithuanians who have grandparents/parents who view the Nazis as the 'Good' guys of the war (in how it affected them) as their only comparison was the Soviets.

Apart from the Poles, everyone in Eastern Europe sees the Nazis as the good guys. My father's side is Ukrainian, and they think Hitler was a pretty good leader.

Apart from the M16, the AKs, G3... well, pretty much every gun in use by modern militaries :p

Modern militaries need to join us in the second millenium.

Apart from the Poles, everyone in Eastern Europe sees the Nazis as the good guys. My father's side is Ukrainian, and they think Hitler was a pretty good leader.

Hmmm... The ones I know just view them as less bad than the soviets...

For example one guy managed to escape a mass execution by Nazi fireing squad by standing at the back, falling down and petending to be dead. So why does he view the Nazis as the 'good' guys? Well once the Soviets took over they shipped him off to Siberia for a decade or so.

dont be an ass. talk to him about it. that was obviously a defining moment in his life that he shared with you, a complete stranger, part of his memory of the moment.

dont hold him resposible for what his country did. 1. thats ancient history now, 2. he was most likely required to serve and he just made the most out of it. making the most out of a bad situation is something alot more people need to learn how to do.

if allied soldiers from that tome period are able to sit down and talk to nazi soldiers about the war, im sure you will some how manage to do so. im sure he has alot of interesting stories to tell about his experience.

How do you know he's diametrically opposite to your political views, until you talk to him?
And even if he is, think of the opportunity you've got to actually find out via first-hand knowledge what it was like being in the Wehrmacht during WWII. That's something a book can't give you.

I'm jealous of the opportunity that's being presented to you. Talk to him, ask him about his experiences - but don't judge him (at least don't judge him to his face). As soon as you start arguing with him about his experiences, he'll clam up and won't talk to you again.

Indeed. I've had opprotunities to meet various people present at some quite interesting points in history, and they're usually quite interesting.

Included in the list are:
soldiers who served in most the theaters of WWII
a Japanese engineer who was in Iran shortly before the revolution
a Polish Solidarity activist who had been arrested and tortured by the communists in 1981

The only one I really had trouble with and didn't ask much about was the Japanese grandfather of a family who took me to a sports festival many years ago. Turns out he'd been present at the Rape of Nanjing....

Also true, though you don't want to be relying on a gun from a different millenium.
They're reliable. Assuming they've been cared for over the years. Or found in a sealed crate in perfect condition.
against zombie hordes atleast. :D
Always a threat.:D
I know a few lithuanians who have grandparents/parents who view the Nazis as the 'Good' guys of the war (in how it affected them) as their only comparison was the Soviets.
The Soviets treated it more like a Medieval conquest than even "civilized" war in centuries previous to WWII. Raping, burning, pillaging and the lot. Though one German general did the same when retreating from the Ukraine.
Apart from the Poles, everyone in Eastern Europe sees the Nazis as the good guys. My father's side is Ukrainian, and they think Hitler was a pretty good leader.
Of course. He tried to "liberate" them from the iron-fisted Georgian ruler of the Soviet Union.
Modern militaries need to join us in the second millenium.

Phasers, FTW!:cool:

Modern militaries need to join us in the second millenium.
If you ever RP'ed, you'd know the MG42 can be a fearsome modern-day weapon ;)
For those of you who don't RP: The Kraven Corporation, everyone's favourite evil corporation that makes most nations quake in their boots, uses modernised MG42s.

Phasers, FTW!:cool:

I wait impatiently for the day I can set my phaser to pwn.

Apart from the Poles, everyone in Eastern Europe sees the Nazis as the good guys. My father's side is Ukrainian, and they think Hitler was a pretty good leader.

I live in Czech Republic.
Not many people here see the Nazis as the good guys.

Anyways, Poland and Czech Rep. are Central Europe!

If you ever RP'ed, you'd know the MG42 can be a fearsome modern-day weapon ;)
For those of you who don't RP: The Kraven Corporation, everyone's favourite evil corporation that makes most nations quake in their boots, uses modernised MG42s.
Just like any SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) you find in modern armies. Actually, guns like the M60 were modelled on the MG42.
I wait impatiently for the day I can set my phaser to pwn.
As do I. Feck stun and fun, pwnz0r is the only way to go. :cool:

I live in Czech Republic.
Not many people here see the Nazis as the good guys.

Anyways, Poland and Czech Rep. are Central Europe!

Sorry, bub, but Poland is considered part of Eastern Europe, too.

Sorry, bub, but Poland is considered part of Eastern Europe, too.

I think geographically, it's actually part of Central Europe.

I think geographically, it's actually part of Central Europe.

Technically, yes, it is, but people here, irritatingly enough, consider it part of Eastern Europe. Don't ask me. I think they're feckin' nuts.:p

Oh, and for some reason when I saw the thread title in my subscriptions last time, I read "react" as "erect." :eek:

Maybe even some about some of the famous tank battles on the Soviet plains.
Maybe a little, but honestly the more important ones were after '43 keeping in mind the OP said the photo showed wrecked planes in the background it would suggest he was on the Eastern Front in the early parts of the war, unless of course they were wrecked German planes, but then he wouldn't be smiling...

Even then if he was in the Afrika Korps between '41 and '43 it is more than likely he got 'put in the bag' at Enfidaville or Tunis or some other battle in Tunisia.

Then it depends if he was 15th or 21st Panzer Division, maybe 90th Light Division which i can't remember if it was Afrika Korp or not.
I wouldn't sell the stuff. I'd keep it, then sell it much later for a bigger retirement fund. That's the sort of investment that matures with time, you know.
I wouldn't even guarentee they'd be worth much in the future.
But i'd sure as hell keep an MG-42 or Luger just for the Historical and status factor.

I'm really interested in what you have decided and kind of want you to ask them a few questions...

I know a few lithuanians who have grandparents/parents who view the Nazis as the 'Good' guys of the war (in how it affected them) as their only comparison was the Soviets.An office I worked in once had an ancient Lithuanian as a patient. He told me " Germans give good guns. Russians give crap!"

Anyway, I think the old soldier could have some really interesting stories, even if you find his politics offensive. Even the nastiest old racists have some fascinating stories about the old days. Living history beats book history anyday.

Technically, yes, it is, but people here, irritatingly enough, consider it part of Eastern Europe. Don't ask me. I think they're feckin' nuts.:p

Oh, and for some reason when I saw the thread title in my subscriptions last time, I read "react" as "erect." :eek:

I guess that's because they think in political terms and still regard every former Warsaw Pact country as Eastern Europe. I've once been told that Germany was Eastern Europe.

As for that second bit, you might want to have a little chat with uncle Sigmund.

I'm really interested in what you have decided and kind of want you to ask them a few questions...

Trying to overcome my bias, I'm still looking for an opportunity to steer the conversation towards this topic, as I somewhat shy from blunty asking such intimate questions. Feel free to post or tg any questions you got; should I get hold on some interesting stories, I'll post them (provided they are non-compromising).

Trying to overcome my bias, I'm still looking for an opportunity to steer the conversation towards this topic, as I somewhat shy from blunty asking such intimate questions. Feel free to post or tg any questions you got; should I get hold on some interesting stories, I'll post them (provided they are non-compromising).
-Well i'd like to know what Division/s he was in.
-If he was at Minqar Qaim.
*What did he think of the outcome of the battle.

-If he was at Alamein.
-Who he would say was his most respected adversary.
-Any funny stories.
-When he became a POW (if he did)
-Interesting things about Africa.

If you do get around to finding out that would be great.

World War Two Veterans numbers lessen each year it would be a shame to lose untold stories.
I know my grandfather would have had a few he might have shared with me and my cousins, that he wouldn't have shared with my Uncles or mum because of general disinterest but moreso because the time wasn't right for it.

Maybe a little, but honestly the more important ones were after '43 keeping in mind the OP said the photo showed wrecked planes in the background it would suggest he was on the Eastern Front in the early parts of the war, unless of course they were wrecked German planes, but then he wouldn't be smiling...

Even then if he was in the Afrika Korps between '41 and '43 it is more than likely he got 'put in the bag' at Enfidaville or Tunis or some other battle in Tunisia.

Then it depends if he was 15th or 21st Panzer Division, maybe 90th Light Division which i can't remember if it was Afrika Korp or not.

I wouldn't even guarentee they'd be worth much in the future.
But i'd sure as hell keep an MG-42 or Luger just for the Historical and status factor.
Something to ask him. He could have been redeployed to another division at some point.

Historical things like that are very valuable, especially to private collectors.
I guess that's because they think in political terms and still regard every former Warsaw Pact country as Eastern Europe. I've once been told that Germany was Eastern Europe.

As for that second bit, you might want to have a little chat with uncle Sigmund.

Could be. Some say Germany is part of Western Europe here, but I've always thought of it more as Central Europe. Especially back when it was an empire.

I don't want anything to do with that crazy old lecher.:p

Something to ask him. He could have been redeployed to another division at some point.

Historical things like that are very valuable, especially to private collectors.
-snippage-
Yeah he could have although no large scale withdrawal was possible because of the massive Allied naval blockade of Northern Africa a few troops were withdrawn but mostly officers, of coourse Rommel was given sick leave before the final surrender, which fell upon Von Arnim(?)

21st Panzer Division was reconstituted and served in Normandy,i may have said that.
90th Light Div became 90th Panzer Grenadier Div and served in Italy.

90th Light Division was in Afrika Korp.


Though Historically we will have to wait and see...

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?
You don't have to agree with someone to like them. Some of my best friends are the sources of the most heated political debates I've ever had.

Yeah he could have although no large scale withdrawal was possible because of the massive Allied naval blockade of Northern Africa a few troops were withdrawn but mostly officers, of coourse Rommel was given sick leave before the final surrender, which fell upon Von Arnim(?)

21st Panzer Division was reconstituted and served in Normandy,i may have said that.
90th Light Div became 90th Panzer Grenadier Div and served in Italy.

90th Light Division was in Afrika Korp.


Though Historically we will have to wait and see...

Maybe he'll get around to asking questions soon. I must admit I'm not very patient at all when I'm curious to know something.:p

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?


Look, he is a SOLDIER. NOT A NAZI! There is a difference. Therefore, tell him "Awsome, that is some cool stuff", and leave it at that. Dude, he served in the German Army. As I previously said, he isn't necessarily a Nazi storm trooper. (Unless I'm missing part of the story...)

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?

Being Wehrmacht doesn't make him a Nazi. If he was SS, I would think differently.

But that was another time, and another place. Now he's an old guy with a bedpan.

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?

How do you know what his politics are? Maybe he just likes war.

Also true, though you don't want to be relying on a gun from a different millenium.
The MG3 the Bundeswehr is using today pretty much is an MG42 with some minor modifications and a reduced fire-rate (which makes the barrel last a little longer).
Other than that, it's pretty much "don't fix it if it ain't broken" or "never change a running system".

Look, he is a SOLDIER. NOT A NAZI! There is a difference. Therefore, tell him "Awsome, that is some cool stuff", and leave it at that. Dude, he served in the German Army. As I previously said, he isn't necessarily a Nazi storm trooper. (Unless I'm missing part of the story...)
You don't know. You'd really have to ask him.
How do you know what his politics are? Maybe he just likes war.
War, FTW!:cool:
The MG3 the Bundeswehr is using today pretty much is an MG42 with some minor modifications and a reduced fire-rate (which makes the barrel last a little longer).
Other than that, it's pretty much "don't fix it if it ain't broken" or "never change a running system".

Exactly. Even the U.S. based several models of it's MG's originally on the MG42. Is the MG3's barrel still as easy to change as the one on the MG42?

You don't know. You'd really have to ask him.

War, FTW!:cool:


Exactly. Even the U.S. based several models of it's MG's originally on the MG42. Is the MG3's barrel still as easy to change as the one on the MG42?

Yes. The MG3 is in all respects an MG42 in 7.62x51mm NATO.

The M-60 machinegun (US) was based on the FG-42 action (which is NOT an MG-42), with the addition of the feed cover and feed system of the MG-42 (gotta love nomenclature).

You'll notice, however, that the M-60 is regarded as crap, and the US has standardized on the M-240, which is really the FN MAG.

The FN MAG and the MG-3 are really the only 7.62mm GPMGs worth spending money on.

Exactly. Even the U.S. based several models of it's MG's originally on the MG42. Is the MG3's barrel still as easy to change as the one on the MG42?
I only know that you shouldn't touch it after use and that you still get this special glove to accomplish the task.
I never served but I know from friends that the MGs they trained on were old MG42s which had the old eagle and stuff stamped out.

Hehehe, beware of the well-educated conscientious objector!

Being Wehrmacht doesn't make him a Nazi. If he was SS, I would think differently.

But that was another time, and another place. Now he's an old guy with a bedpan.
Exactly.
Maybe he'll get around to asking questions soon. I must admit I'm not very patient at all when I'm curious to know something.:p
He, i assumed she.:eek:

I actually had something else to say on the matter but it would appear i forgot.

Yes. The MG3 is in all respects an MG42 in 7.62x51mm NATO.

The M-60 machinegun (US) was based on the FG-42 action (which is NOT an MG-42), with the addition of the feed cover and feed system of the MG-42 (gotta love nomenclature).

You'll notice, however, that the M-60 is regarded as crap, and the US has standardized on the M-240, which is really the FN MAG.

The FN MAG and the MG-3 are really the only 7.62mm GPMGs worth spending money on.
The source I found said MG42. It'd be a little strange to base an MG on an automatic rifle. Don't you think? o.O
I only know that you shouldn't touch it after use and that you still get this special glove to accomplish the task.
I never served but I know from friends that the MGs they trained on were old MG42s which had the old eagle and stuff stamped out.

Hehehe, beware of the well-educated conscientious objector!
Nice. I'm a little curious, though. I've seen MG42 barrels changed in a YouTube video. Maybe there's one for the MG3.
Exactly.

He, i assumed she.:eek:

I actually had something else to say on the matter but it would appear i forgot.

I didn't know with any certainty, so I went with the default neutral "he." :p

You'd react the same way with any other person who have a different political view than you do.

Me? I would ask him for stories from the war. The guy is a soldier for his country. All things consitered he didn't have anything to do with the nastier side of the nazi regime.

Me? I would ask him for stories from the war. The guy is a soldier for his country. All things consitered he didn't have anything to do with the nastier side of the nazi regime.

You don't know that with any certainty.

You don't know that with any certainty.

Simple, he wasn't in the SS. The Africakorps were under Rhomel, who wasn't that bad a guy.


Oh, one other thing I might do is bring in my P.38 or K 98...

Maybe he remembers how to keep a K 98 from being a rustbucket!

Simple, he wasn't in the SS. The Africakorps were under Rhomel, who wasn't that bad a guy.


Oh, one other thing I might do is bring in my P.38 or K 98...

Maybe he remembers how to keep a K 98 from being a rustbucket!

There were regular Wehrmacht soldiers who weren't terribly friendly fellows, either, you know. And you don't really know to what units he was assigned for the duration of the war or what ideals to which he clung/clings.

The source I found said MG42. It'd be a little strange to base an MG on an automatic rifle. Don't you think? o.O

Nice. I'm a little curious, though. I've seen MG42 barrels changed in a YouTube video. Maybe there's one for the MG3.


I didn't know with any certainty, so I went with the default neutral "he." :p
True, of course wimmen aren't opn teh web but 'Love' in the name and my prejudice towards the occupation they are in, although i know a guy who does something the same if not similiar...
There were regular Wehrmacht soldiers who weren't terribly friendly fellows, either, you know. And you don't really know to what units he was assigned for the duration of the war or what ideals to which he clung/clings.
Yes but you can say that for almost all nations.
The person really should ask that way we can know.

I was also thinking both the German interests in Africa and Operation Barbarossa started roughly around the same time, meaning he may have served in Poland and maybe Greece or something...
There wern't many British planes in Greece and the Greeks never had an Airforce as AFAIK....








Oh and the K-98 is only good for one thing, being a rustbucket!

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?

First, get off of your high horse. Most of the foot soldiers in Nazi Germany didn't take part in the Holocaust, and sometimes you had to join the Nazi army unless you would end up in the camps.

Seconds, how about talking to him, ask him to share some war stories. I would LOVE to be able to talk to a guy who was on the German side during WW II. Comon, he must have some awesome stories.

Third, take some pictures and record his stories, the future generation would need this.

Fourth, get off your high horse, that is all.

...
How would you react to such a situation?

Given the distance in time, considerably less strongly than I would
to someone proudly displaying pictures of themselves and their smiling american military buddies in Iraq.

Currently the greatest war crime of this century.

But the century is young and I am confident the US will top it.

I live in Czech Republic.
Not many people here see the Nazis as the good guys.

Anyways, Poland and Czech Rep. are Central Europe!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Location-Europe-UNsubregions.png

Now, back on topic, I'd listen to a few of the guy's stories.

Not everyone in the Wehrmacht was a nazi or some SS monster. Not every American troop in Iraq thinks it was a good idea (though the leaders won't le them say so). In Germany at the time, the penalty for dissidence was much greater than we are used to.

Did you consider the possibility that the man could have had a family, who would be put at risk if he made trouble? Humans tend to care about family and friends more than random people they don't know.

He probably made some great friends during his time in the army, and simply treasures memories of times spent with his buddies.

True, of course wimmen aren't opn teh web but 'Love' in the name and my prejudice towards the occupation they are in, although i know a guy who does something the same if not similiar...

Yes but you can say that for almost all nations.
The person really should ask that way we can know.

I was also thinking both the German interests in Africa and Operation Barbarossa started roughly around the same time, meaning he may have served in Poland and maybe Greece or something...
There wern't many British planes in Greece and the Greeks never had an Airforce as AFAIK....
Oh and the K-98 is only good for one thing, being a rustbucket!
Of course it could be said of all nations. We never will know until we hear a report, but I think the OP abandoned us.:p
First, get off of your high horse. Most of the foot soldiers in Nazi Germany didn't take part in the Holocaust, and sometimes you had to join the Nazi army unless you would end up in the camps.

Seconds, how about talking to him, ask him to share some war stories. I would LOVE to be able to talk to a guy who was on the German side during WW II. Comon, he must have some awesome stories.

Third, take some pictures and record his stories, the future generation would need this.

Fourth, get off your high horse, that is all.

Quite a post coming from someone with such terrible grammar.:p [/grammar nazi]

Of course it could be said of all nations. We never will know until we hear a report, but I think the OP abandoned us.:p
-snippage-
Well the Krauts got their knickers in a twist about Minqar Qaim, i say TS to them, if you have someone surrounded, out number them 4-1 and still can't beat them.

As for those Australians, Morsehead and his 20,000 thieves.

RML, return to us!:(

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?

He is not necessarily a nazi. He can be proud of his service in the Afrika corps. They fought hard and endured severe hardships in the form of water and medical shortages in the service of their country. They were good soldiers they can be proud of that. They should be proud of that.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y239/NuGo1988/threadlich.jpg

Well the Krauts got their knickers in a twist about Minqar Qaim, i say TS to them, if you have someone surrounded, out number them 4-1 and still can't beat them.

As for those Australians, Morsehead and his 20,000 thieves.

RML, return to us!:(
RML shan't return, I fear. :(
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y239/NuGo1988/threadlich.jpg

No, this is a gravedig. :p

He is a grunt. He really cant be held responsible for what happened back there.

And do you see the date? 41-43. That means he didnt get the bulk of the war. Not what they did in Spain, in Poland or after D-day.

Anyway, if I went to war, and even if I was in the wrong side, I would be proud just of surviving it. And, as people said, he is an old guy. Let him be proud of what he has done. Most of us wont do half of what he did.

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?

I'd look at it as an opportunity to learn. He probably has some interesting stories to tell. Talk to him, don't be judgemental, he's probably had to deal with that a lot. As someone said previously, he was just a common solder (not SS or Gestapo certainly).

He is a grunt. He really cant be held responsible for what happened back there.

And do you see the date? 41-43. That means he didnt get the bulk of the war. Not what they did in Spain, in Poland or after D-day.

Anyway, if I went to war, and even if I was in the wrong side, I would be proud just of surviving it. And, as people said, he is an old guy. Let him be proud of what he has done. Most of us wont do half of what he did.

That's assuming he wasn't reassigned to that unit or to another after that date.

Modern militaries need to join us in the second millenium.

Innit the third millenium?

ie.

1 ad - first millenium

1000 ad - second millenium

2000 ad - third millenium?

Innit the third millenium?

ie.

1 ad - first millenium

1000 ad - second millenium

2000 ad - third millenium?

Well, if you want to get that technical, it's actually something like the
13,700,001st millenium now.
Counting BC back to the beginning of the universe.

I recently started work at a senior citizens retirement home. In the first weeks, it's standard for new employees to rotate through stations to get to know all the inhabitants, the building, the co-workers etc.

On my first day in Station IV, last Thursday, this old man, a seemingly nice & friendly guy, proudly showed me a pic of him and his crew on top of a Panzer III in Russia, burnt-out planes in the background. He also has a memorial plate, emblazoned with the words "Afrikakorps 1941-43. Ritterlich im Krieg, Wachsam für den Frieden (Knightly in war, Alert for peace)" on his wall, along with two photographies showing him in his Wehrmacht uniform.

I tried to avoid commenting on it and just do my job, but with a bad, bad feeling in my stomach, as this guy - or at least, the person he was - is diametrally opposed to my own political views.

How would you react to such a situation?

He was Wehrmacht, probably a conscript. I wouldn't hold it against him.