American boys entered Europe.
Changed history.
Many never made it back home.
I will always remember you...
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Originally Posted by Harald Weissberg:
American boys entered Europe.
Changed history.
Many never made it back home.
I will always remember you...
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like
My father and several uncles participated -- either from B-24s or on the beach. All came back, but none are here today. Thank God for them all!
Dad was too busy enjoying the beeches and forests of the South Pacific and oriental hospitality.
Imagine what the survivors were going through the day after.
The lucky ones were those taken prisoner by the US and shipped back to the stalags on the bayou. Brit treated their POWs within in treaty, but beat the hell out of them before the got to the camps. Confirmed that rumor from both sides.
Originally Posted by direstraits:
The lucky ones were those taken prisoner by the US and shipped back to the stalags on the bayou. Brit treated their POWs within in treaty, but beat the hell out of them before the got to the camps. Confirmed that rumor from both sides.
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By survivors, I was referencing the Allies. The day after. Having to put yesterday behind them and push on.
Wasn't aware we had anything comparable to "stalags" in the US.
POW camps, yes. Stalags, no.
Given what the Germans first did to the Brit civilian population, its a wonder the Brits took German POWs.
. . . . And German POWs taken by the Soviets. That's a whole different ballgame.
Originally Posted by budsfarm:
. . . . And German POWs taken by the Soviets. That's a whole different ballgame.
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I met one years ago. Usually have little pity for German soldiers of that era. Still had no sympathy,, but did have a bit of pity, Most didn't live out the war.
Originally Posted by budsfarm:
Originally Posted by direstraits:
The lucky ones were those taken prisoner by the US and shipped back to the stalags on the bayou. Brit treated their POWs within in treaty, but beat the hell out of them before the got to the camps. Confirmed that rumor from both sides.
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By survivors, I was referencing the Allies. The day after. Having to put yesterday behind them and push on.
Wasn't aware we had anything comparable to "stalags" in the US.
POW camps, yes. Stalags, no.
Given what the Germans first did to the Brit civilian population, its a wonder the Brits took German POWs.
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There were a number of POW camps for Germans in Louisiana swamps . WWII slang called them stalags on the bayou,. Prisoners were treated decently and fed the same rations as US soldiers. Recently, student archaeologists practiced digging in the old camps. Found one surprise -- an intact quonset hut covered in vines. Turned out to be the camp library. Books were removed,, but the magazines and other items were left.
US Army had a nasty sense of humor, A number of the guards were from all black MP units -- needless to say, the Aryans were offended,
Visited Aliceville. Not a lot to it anymore. During the 'tour" we were told prisoners were sent to the part of the United States that most suited the areas where they lived in Germany. Mighty nice of us wasn't it? Some stayed here as long as possible after the war. Again, mighty nice of us.
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The camps in the United States are otherwise what the Associated Press later called "all but forgotten part of history", even though some former inmates went on to become prominent in postwar Germany. About 860 German POWs remain buried in 43 sites across the United States, with their graves often tended by local German Women's Clubs.[14] Even in the communities which formerly hosted POW camps for Germans, local residents often do not know the camps ever existed.[17][25] Reunions of camp inmates, their captors and local townspeople such as those held in Maine and Georgia have garnered press coverage and local interest for this unusual and infrequently mentioned aspect of the war.[14][35]
Members of the German military were interned as prisoners of war in the United States during World War I and World War II. In all, 425,000 German prisoners lived in 700 camps throughout the United States during World War II
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G...in_the_United_States