[QUOTE=MightyMax;37054309]Today, I found out that my German grandma was not only alive during WW2, but she -vividly- remembers it, even though she was ~10 then. Today she was telling me about hiding in a basement as Americans bombed their town, and then she told me about how the Americans broke into their houses, stole jewelry, shattered pictures, just generally ransacked the places. They thought everyone was a Nazi. It's pretty terrible. There was no "good guys" during WW2.[/QUOTE]
My grandmother was treated for tubercolosis in 1945, during the time the allied forces freed the Netherlands. She felt the tremble every time a bomb fell, it was pretty terrible.
[editline]2nd August 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=Mr Shadyface;37048907]I find it kinda hard to feel sorry for Americans who died in Vietnam. I mean, i'm not up on your history, so if I'm wrong please correct me...but it's kinda like feeling sorry for the Germans that died in Stalingrad.[/QUOTE]
do you have any idea how many germans were really volunteers in stalingrad
just an estimation here:
none
[QUOTE=Mr Shadyface;37048907]I find it kinda hard to feel sorry for Americans who died in Vietnam. I mean, i'm not up on your history, so if I'm wrong please correct me...but it's kinda like feeling sorry for the Germans that died in Stalingrad.[/QUOTE]
Wouldn't you fight for your life if you got thrown into a war, whoever your leader is?
[QUOTE=MightyMax;37054309]Today, I found out that my German grandma was not only alive during WW2, but she -vividly- remembers it, even though she was ~10 then. Today she was telling me about hiding in a basement as Americans bombed their town, and then she told me about how the Americans broke into their houses, stole jewelry, shattered pictures, just generally ransacked the places. They thought everyone was a Nazi. It's pretty terrible. There was no "good guys" during WW2.[/QUOTE]
You should read up on the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Dresden_in_World_War_II]Bombing of Dresden[/url] in the second World War.
Basically, Germany was on the edge of defeat and to make a point of defeating them, the British and Americans [I]utterly decimated[/I] the until then mostly untouched city of Dresden in Saxony.
They used incendiary bombs for 4 days straight on this [B]untouched by war[/B] city.
This is the result afterward:
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1994-041-07%2C_Dresden%2C_zerst%C3%B6rtes_Stadtzentrum.jpg[/img]
[img]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oIAhQMTG-dU/TAXyLs_ZOrI/AAAAAAAAFFc/HcICZlDvfiQ/s1600/DRESDEN-BOMBING-ww2-second-world-war-illustrated-history.jpg[/img]
[img]http://contemporaryhistoryusj.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/bombing-of-dresden.gif[/img]
[img]http://grierhorner.com/images/Stackedcorpses1_000.jpg[/img]
[editline]2nd August 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=_Axel;37049236]It still baffles me that we can have a functioning military without any conscription at all. Just the fact there are enough people willing to give their life for their country for said country to be safe just seems weird to me.[/QUOTE]
The military as a spectacular marketing campaign.
Have you seen any of their commercials? It makes you look like when you join, you become the love child of Rambo and Arnold Schwarzenegger
Not to mention they offer so much money to join (especially toward high school seniors) that no poor man would want to pass up.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnR8CDygeAM[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a7k2H7yhic[/media]
[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;37057515]You should read up on the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Dresden_in_World_War_II]Bombing of Dresden[/url] in the second World War.
Basically, Germany was on the edge of defeat and to make a point of defeating them, the British and Americans [I]utterly decimated[/I] the until then mostly untouched city of Dresden in Saxony.
They used incendiary bombs for 4 days straight on this [B]untouched by war[/B] city.
This is the result afterward:[/QUOTE]
people hid underground while the fires above them raged. the inferno was so intense that all of the oxygen was pulled out of the air below, causing mass suffocation
more pictures on Dresden
[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Fotothek_df_ps_0000123_Frauenleichnam_in_einem_Luftschutzkeller.jpg[/IMG]
Yes, that was the city my grandma was in. She survived because she was near a country side, where there weren't many bombs. She told me about how she saw guys running around, panicking, and getting hit with shrapnel from the bombs.
Fucking Christ.
Also on the topic of WW2 bombings. I was talking about my Town Eastbourne a few pages back when we were talking about suicides. well another thing about this town I live in is the history we had during world war 2. we got the title "most bombed place in the south east region of England" due to the Blitz, After the Germans bombed the major cities in the region (Brighton, London, Dover) the bombers and fighter would fly over Eastbourne and release there bombs that they didn't drop during the initial bombings. so basically all the leftovers the planes carried would be released on my town. our town were also placed on high alert during the war due to scare of invasion. As children were all evacuated during the war to the north to the north due to the blitz. a few months later alot of people were evacuated due to the crisis. the remaining home guard/citizens in the town and surrounding areas were told to build defenses and arm themselves. during 44' the Canadians occupied the area. letting the citizens that evacuated come back to the town.
another thing i found interesting was the fact that Eastbourne was marked on British home defense as a possible Nuclear strike location by the Soviet Union during the Cold war. It was marked there for no entire reason along with a few other towns around the country.
I hope its not late [url]http://www.wimp.com/powerfulphotographs/[/url]
[QUOTE=Pink Spy;37058789]I hope its not late [url]http://www.wimp.com/powerfulphotographs/[/url][/QUOTE]
[img]http://englishrussia.com/images/old_vet/4.jpg[/img]
This picture always gets me to tear up, I don't know why.
[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;37049145]it is now[/QUOTE]
even if it is a "word" it was used wrong lol
I dunno if this link will open for anyone else, but I'll give it a shot. Basically, it has quite a few good Vietnam war pictures and descriptions. If it's defunct, tell me and I'll snip it.
Link:
[URL="http://www.patriotfiles.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116109"]http://www.patriotfiles.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116109[/URL]
[IMG]http://www.cah.utexas.edu/photojournalism/graphics/presidents/ford/bigpics/Ford_10.jpg[/IMG]
Gerald Ford shortly after falling down the stairs while exiting Air Force One.
[QUOTE=Trunk Monkay;37051238]
Back in the 70's, my uncle went to the post office to pick up some stamps. He noticed they had some WWII commemorative stamps, so he bought a sheet for his dad. When he got home and gave it to my grandfather, he almost immediately started sobbing. When my uncle got him to calm down, my grandfather pointed to a picture of a soldier with a flamethrower and told him a story from the war. During one of the island invasions, I can't remember which, he was assigned to carry a flamethrower. Him and his squad came across a cave, their translator called out into the cave, demanding the Japanese surrender. A man yelled back and said they would fight to the death and weren't coming out, so their squad leader ordered my Grandfather to burn them out of the cave. He walked up to it and gave it a quick burst from his flamethrower. He backed off when he started hearing screaming, then a dozen women and children came running out of the cave, covered in flames. His squad leader ordered his men to gun them down so they wouldn't suffer. "The bastards used women and children as shields, George, hit the cave again!" He hit it again and the Japs came running out, his squad leader ordered his men to let them all burn out. The scene of all those people burning to death were scarred into his memory. [/QUOTE]
Isn't that from LA Noire?
[QUOTE=proch;37053934]Well, you find the original tape, but if someone recorded it somehow, a video might exist.
I really want to see this. I guess I don't have to explain why since pretty much every regular of this thread knows why. In short, Curiosity.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Akito8;37050754][URL]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Chubbuck[/URL]
[IMG]http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/3.-christine-chubbuck.jpg[/IMG]
Again, not exactly world shaking, but I believe she was the first to commit suicide on live TV
just imagine how disturbing it'd be if you were watching the news at that time..
Does anyone have the original video of the broadcast?
I wasn't able to find it on liveleaks or anywhere else[/QUOTE]
I'm pretty sure I read awhile ago that it was never recorded. Like, the people watching TV didn't expect it or anything so they wouldn't be filming (nor was it really convenient to just have a video camera around at the time), and due to a court case or something the original copy that the news channel had was to be handed over to the family, which they never released.
[QUOTE=HellSoldier;37061925]Isn't that from LA Noire?[/QUOTE]
I've never played the game. Maybe something similar happened, but as far as I know thats something that actually happened with my grandfather.
[QUOTE=HellSoldier;37061925]Isn't that from LA Noire?[/QUOTE]
I was just about to say that but that doesn't mean it didn't happen
[QUOTE=abananapeel;37062468]I was just about to say that but that doesn't mean it didn't happen[/QUOTE]
I'm not saying that but it's almost point-for-point with the details presented in LA Noire.
[editline]3rd August 2012[/editline]
Alright well my memory is a little hazy but here is the LA Noire event (start at 17:00)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib4IvBq7Vhc[/media]
Holds some resemblance.
[QUOTE=DemonDog;37062155]I'm pretty sure I read awhile ago that it was never recorded. Like, the people watching TV didn't expect it or anything so they wouldn't be filming (nor was it really convenient to just have a video camera around at the time), and due to a court case or something the original copy that the news channel had was to be handed over to the family, which they never released.[/QUOTE]
Well, those weren't todays times. Nowadays theres always somebody recording, but back then it wasn't so easy and cheap.
[QUOTE=Araknid;37060639][img]http://englishrussia.com/images/old_vet/4.jpg[/img]
This picture always gets me to tear up, I don't know why.[/QUOTE]
Fairly sure that is a younger Harry Patch.
[img]http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/images/gal_tommy_patch.jpg[/img]
He was the last British soldier to fight in the First World War. He passed away in 2009 aged 111
[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6954937.stm[/url]
It's not a photo but if you guys would like I can ask my grandmother to help me write out some of the stories from her youth being raised in Germany. She has some VERY interesting stories because her father was one of the workers on the V2 rocket. I don't think she has any pictures though.
[QUOTE=Stockers678;37063830]Fairly sure that is a younger Harry Patch.
[img]http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/images/gal_tommy_patch.jpg[/img]
He was the last British soldier to fight in the First World War. He passed away in 2009 aged 111
[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6954937.stm[/url][/QUOTE]
That's a T-32 (?), so no, it's not a British guy, not to mention they didn't have tanks like that in the second World War
[editline]3rd August 2012[/editline]
My bad, T-34
Yeah it's a Russian guy I believe who found out that the tank he operated became a monument.
[QUOTE=download;37063867]That's a T-32 (?), so no, it's not a British guy, not to mention they didn't have tanks like that in the second World War
[editline]3rd August 2012[/editline]
My bad, T-34[/QUOTE]
Oh who cares. He has an interesting story at least
[QUOTE=Stockers678;37064031]Oh who cares. He has an interesting story at least[/QUOTE]
You're just pissed because you're wrong.
The Russian guys story is much more interesting
Everyone who got pictures/stories from their grandparents and the like, Me personally would really love to see/read every story they got from these events, it's bloody interesting.
Myself I have an aunt in Finland who survived the Finnish winter war. Sadly I don't speak finish myself so I cannot ask for stories from her :'(
[QUOTE=iRager;37064376]Everyone who got pictures/stories from their grandparents and the like, Me personally would really love to see/read every story they got from these events, it's bloody interesting.
[/QUOTE]
Agreed,and I shall try,although I'm always anxious about asking my grandfather,I always dread it will make him relive bad moment from WW2.
Not really "world shaking" but in my opinion still a pretty significant image,Harry Patch at the site of the battle of Passchendaele,on the 90th anniversary of the battle.
[IMG]http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_03/passcharryMS2807_468x306.jpg[/IMG]
My uncle fought in Vietnam twice and got injured twice. He was supposed to receive two purple hearts but the army lost the papers and just gave him bronze stars. That's the only thing that I know about him from his army years. Sadly he past away 6 days ago.
[QUOTE=HellSoldier;37062750]I'm not saying that but it's almost point-for-point with the details presented in LA Noire.
[editline]3rd August 2012[/editline]
Alright well my memory is a little hazy but here is the LA Noire event (start at 17:00)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib4IvBq7Vhc[/media]
Holds some resemblance.[/QUOTE]
Resemblance in that it took place in a cave with civilians, thats about it.
[editline]3rd August 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=iRager;37064376]Everyone who got pictures/stories from their grandparents and the like, Me personally would really love to see/read every story they got from these events, it's bloody interesting.
Myself I have an aunt in Finland who survived the Finnish winter war. Sadly I don't speak finish myself so I cannot ask for stories from her :'([/QUOTE]
If you can get a relative to get her account of the war and post it here, it'd be pretty awesome. It sucks making veterans relive war, but firsthand stories aren't something that should be taken to the grave.
[QUOTE=Trunk Monkay;37066645] If you can get a relative to get her account of the war and post it here, it'd be pretty awesome. It sucks making veterans relive war, but firsthand stories aren't something that should be taken to the grave.[/QUOTE]
I think I could ask my dad to help me out since he started studying the finish language again... could make it his homework to translate her warstories...
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Tarawa.jpg[/img]
Lt. Alexander Bonnyman (4th man from the right) leads this group of Marines into an assault on Tarawa He was killed shortly after the Japanese led a counterattack.
[quote]For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Executive Officer of the 2d Battalion Shore Party, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division, during the assault against enemy Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, 20–22 November 1943. Acting on his own initiative when assault troops were pinned down at the far end of Betio Pier by the overwhelming fire of Japanese shore batteries, 1st Lt. Bonnyman repeatedly defied the blasting fury of the enemy bombardment to organize and lead the besieged men over the long, open pier to the beach and then, voluntarily obtaining flame throwers and demolitions, organized his pioneer shore party into assault demolitionists and directed the blowing of several hostile installations before the close of D-day. Determined to effect an opening in the enemy's strongly organized defense line the following day, he voluntarily crawled approximately 40 yards forward of our lines and placed demolitions in the entrance of a large Japanese emplacement as the initial move in his planned attack against the heavily garrisoned, bombproof installation which was stubbornly resisting despite the destruction early in the action of a large number of Japanese who had been inflicting heavy casualties on our forces and holding up our advance. Withdrawing only to replenish his ammunition, he led his men in a renewed assault, fearlessly exposing himself to the merciless slash of hostile fire as he stormed the formidable bastion, directed the placement of demolition charges in both entrances and seized the top of the bombproof position, flushing more than 100 of the enemy who were instantly cut down, and effecting the annihilation of approximately 150 troops inside the emplacement. Assailed by additional Japanese after he had gained his objective, he made a heroic stand on the edge of the structure, defending his strategic position with indomitable determination in the face of the desperate charge and killing 3 of the enemy before he fell, mortally wounded. By his dauntless fighting spirit, unrelenting aggressiveness and forceful leadership throughout 3 days of unremitting, violent battle, 1st Lt. Bonnyman had inspired his men to heroic effort, enabling them to beat off the counterattack and break the back of hostile resistance in that sector for an immediate gain of 400 yards with no further casualties to our forces in this zone. He gallantly gave his life for his country.[[/quote]
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