Sorry if you thought I'd show you an unbelievably mint SS sword or a ton of U.S. items a local veteran has. If you don't like to read or help amateur historians...stop reading now. For the rest of you, I'd really appreciate your input.
For a small project I'm putting together, I'm trying to interview local veterans. Many of these said men have fantastic stories. Included is a man from Stalag 16, an Anti-Aircraft gunner from the European Campaign, a German machine-gunner turned priest, a Battle of the Bulge veteran who was only 17 at the time, a depth charge technician from a convoy escort ship, and an American armoured infantryman. The problem lies with the last chap.
Just to tell the spectacularity of his military service, he was wounded three times. The first time an anti-tank round from an 88 grazed his chest. It cut the strap of his M-1 and scarred him both emotionally and physically. The second time he was hit with a ricochet from a bullet. The third time he stepped on a landmine while crossing the Rhine at two in the morning. His battles included Anzio, Operation Dragoon and the following breakout, the Battle of the Bulge, and one other that has slipped me. He was awarded a bronze star for his actions in the Bulge...these actions have caused him to flashback almost daily, get goosebumps if you even mention the star, wake up screaming from nightmares, and eventually become an alcoholic. He was a flamethrower during the landing of Dragoon, but never used it. He was drafted, fought the war so "I could get the hell out of that place", and allowed to leave without fear of the pacific because his points had accumulated so quickly.
My problem is that I just don't know what to say to him. Everything I'd known of his career was hearsay until one time I caught him in the bar. He invited me to his house, and I did a preliminary interview, but that was that. Since then I've visited once a month or so, but rarely talk about the war. He's just happy to talk to someone other than his live-in son. Over the winter, and the staggering heat of this past July, his health has become increasingly worse. I really need to get a full interview before he is gone, but I'm having a lot of trouble.
I don't know where to begin with him. The initial interview was roughly a 45 minute tape. He told me the battles he was in, told me how he was wounded, and told me how he came home and started a life. I don't know what specifics to ask him to get him to talk about his life, what happened and how he felt, etc. He has a hard time remembering, but does remember if you mention something. An example; I asked him about trading rations with townspeople and he told me an anecdote about how they used to take cartons of cigarettes, pack the middle with straw, and leave a pack on either end. By the time the townspeople found out, they were long gone. I've thought of asking his son for some pictures, his medals, his souvenirs, etc. to jog his memory, but I fear his son is more concerned with his father's health. Is there any list of questions prepared by the government? I've heard they have database scouts killing for veteran interviews. Are there any questions you guys could help me with? Time is the problem, and I just can't think of what to ask.
If you're going to answer with "He probably doesn't want to talk" then you are mistaken. Many of my father's friends who know him closely say when he's drunk he will tell about the Bulge, and the Bronze star. He's repeatedly told me that he will try to tell me "anything you want to know."
I really appreciate any help you can be, this past year I have lost a great uncle who was a veteran of D-Day and a liberator of a concentration camp, a Marine who was my neighbor for almost 10 years who said "The only time I left the farm was to go overseas, and there's nothing I wouldn't do to change it." and a waist gunner on a B-17. I shouldn't lose another one, and with your help maybe I won't.
Respectfully and desperately,
ZaCK
For a small project I'm putting together, I'm trying to interview local veterans. Many of these said men have fantastic stories. Included is a man from Stalag 16, an Anti-Aircraft gunner from the European Campaign, a German machine-gunner turned priest, a Battle of the Bulge veteran who was only 17 at the time, a depth charge technician from a convoy escort ship, and an American armoured infantryman. The problem lies with the last chap.
Just to tell the spectacularity of his military service, he was wounded three times. The first time an anti-tank round from an 88 grazed his chest. It cut the strap of his M-1 and scarred him both emotionally and physically. The second time he was hit with a ricochet from a bullet. The third time he stepped on a landmine while crossing the Rhine at two in the morning. His battles included Anzio, Operation Dragoon and the following breakout, the Battle of the Bulge, and one other that has slipped me. He was awarded a bronze star for his actions in the Bulge...these actions have caused him to flashback almost daily, get goosebumps if you even mention the star, wake up screaming from nightmares, and eventually become an alcoholic. He was a flamethrower during the landing of Dragoon, but never used it. He was drafted, fought the war so "I could get the hell out of that place", and allowed to leave without fear of the pacific because his points had accumulated so quickly.
My problem is that I just don't know what to say to him. Everything I'd known of his career was hearsay until one time I caught him in the bar. He invited me to his house, and I did a preliminary interview, but that was that. Since then I've visited once a month or so, but rarely talk about the war. He's just happy to talk to someone other than his live-in son. Over the winter, and the staggering heat of this past July, his health has become increasingly worse. I really need to get a full interview before he is gone, but I'm having a lot of trouble.
I don't know where to begin with him. The initial interview was roughly a 45 minute tape. He told me the battles he was in, told me how he was wounded, and told me how he came home and started a life. I don't know what specifics to ask him to get him to talk about his life, what happened and how he felt, etc. He has a hard time remembering, but does remember if you mention something. An example; I asked him about trading rations with townspeople and he told me an anecdote about how they used to take cartons of cigarettes, pack the middle with straw, and leave a pack on either end. By the time the townspeople found out, they were long gone. I've thought of asking his son for some pictures, his medals, his souvenirs, etc. to jog his memory, but I fear his son is more concerned with his father's health. Is there any list of questions prepared by the government? I've heard they have database scouts killing for veteran interviews. Are there any questions you guys could help me with? Time is the problem, and I just can't think of what to ask.
If you're going to answer with "He probably doesn't want to talk" then you are mistaken. Many of my father's friends who know him closely say when he's drunk he will tell about the Bulge, and the Bronze star. He's repeatedly told me that he will try to tell me "anything you want to know."
I really appreciate any help you can be, this past year I have lost a great uncle who was a veteran of D-Day and a liberator of a concentration camp, a Marine who was my neighbor for almost 10 years who said "The only time I left the farm was to go overseas, and there's nothing I wouldn't do to change it." and a waist gunner on a B-17. I shouldn't lose another one, and with your help maybe I won't.
Respectfully and desperately,
ZaCK
and you will not go wrong in using thse questions.
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