Meeting with FJ veteran last week

[tropenmilitaria]

Great story!

Any info on the POW camp he served in?

Brendan

He didn't mention exactly what POW camp he was at. He did say it bothered him that he never knew a single Russian guard's name or the name of any Russian. I guess the "not knowing" had to have been scarey. He didn't elaborate on the details of the camp and I could tell he preferred to talk about life as a paratrooper and the campaigns...Crete, Anzio, Bulge, proposed paratrooper usage on Malta etc.

[Brendan Hunt]

Interesting.

I only asked because I've been researching a soldier who was detained in Gulag 'Sergo' in Woroschilowgrad in the Ukraine in 1944.

Brendan

[psum240b]

did he serve in the US Army after his time with the russians or did he just work for the US army? Great story by the way.

[tropenmilitaria]

He joined/served with the US Army. His highest rank was corporal.

[b_vanfossen]

wow- what an incredible story! Thanks for sharing that.

I've been trying to find a vet to talk to about the war. the few I've met got to Europe late and were not infantry or had an MOS that they- luckily- did not see any action. So I think you are lucky to have spoken to this gentleman.

Thanks,
Brian

[helmuthunter]

, regards Johnno.

[Snni]

Wow, great story..
Thanks..

[Gran Sasso]

he recalled listening to German reports on the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest as they called the Battle of the Bulge.

I am sure he mixed those 2 diff. battles up: "Hürtgen-forest" took place before the "bulge".

[The Jackal]

Hi Andy,

Great story. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Jac

[andries]

interesting story

andre

[Douglas Jr.]

Interesting story. Thanks for sharing!
The Italian rifle that he was issued was probably the Mannlicher-Carcano Model 1891 carbine.

[tropenmilitaria]

Interesting story. Thanks for sharing!
The Italian rifle that he was issued was probably the Mannlicher-Carcano Model 1891 carbine.

Thanks for the pic. I wonder how many German soldiers were issued or used these rifles in combat? I would have thought the k98 would have been a better weapon but I guess you use what you have. In regards to what book I got him last year, I sent him a copy of the Robert Kurtz book "German Paratroopers, Uniforms, Insignia......". I hope to one day sit down with him again in person and go through the book page by page and see his comments on the different pieces of gear. Would be a complete honor for me to be able to do so.

[Steve P]

Great story Thanks for posting! cheers, S

[Jonatan]

Thanks for sharing that story. - really amazing!

Regards,

Jonatan

[Adam S.]

JUST ventured into this section of the forum and I'm happy to have opened this thread first. Great story for sure! I'm sure he appreciated being heard and you relaying his history for future generations.