Hey guys, I realize this is an obscure request of sorts, however I am curious if any of you have known/spoken to any vets who had any contact with any high-ranking individuals from either side during WWII. For example a good friend of mine met Otto Carius a few years ago at his place of business during a trip to Germany (and Oberlt. Carius is still alive as far as I am aware) and I know he met Himmer on at least one occasion.
I have also personally spoken with one SS vet who claimed he shook Himmler's hand during an inspection tour on the Western Front and I had a neighbor when I was younger who was a DAK vet and used to tell my father stories including how he had met the "Desert Fox" (obviously had no idea who he meant at the time, I was just a kid). He was a tank mechanic and I can still remember him telling us how they had "liberated" a few bottles of wine and were "indulging" during a lull in battle on top of a tank when a group of staff cars with armed guards pulled up to his group and Rommel and his entourage stepped out. From what I remember, my neighbor said he had been sent in to do some field repairs on some tanks that had broken down during a fight with the "Tommies" (I still distinctly remember him using that name for the Brits). One of those vehicles was for some officer (again, had I known more I would've asked who/rank/unit etc) and apparently he mentioned this Rommel when him after he arrived at the command post and Rommel naturally asked who this mechanic was. He was directed over to my neighbor who then frantically tried to find somewhere to hide the wine bottle that he was still holding behind his back, to no avail. Rommel came over, shook his hand and asked where he was from and was pleased to hear that my neighbor was from a place near where his wife was from. I remember him laughing as he said he shook Rommel's hand with one hand and had the wine bottle behind his back with the other and that had anyone seen it he knew he wouldv'e caught hell. He ALWAYS talked about the General with a sort of reverence, which is consistent with the fact that he was beloved by most of the men who served under him. My neighbor's name was Günter however everyone including my father always called him "Gus". Sadly, Gus passed away in the late 90's and his wife died in 2007. Damn, what I wouldn't give for the opportunity to talk with him some more, knowing what I know now and it is so surreal to think that I shook hands with one that had shook the hand of the "Desert Fox". Would love to hear any of your stories about personal encounters with those who met the leaders who played such a pivotal role in our history.
Kyle
I have also personally spoken with one SS vet who claimed he shook Himmler's hand during an inspection tour on the Western Front and I had a neighbor when I was younger who was a DAK vet and used to tell my father stories including how he had met the "Desert Fox" (obviously had no idea who he meant at the time, I was just a kid). He was a tank mechanic and I can still remember him telling us how they had "liberated" a few bottles of wine and were "indulging" during a lull in battle on top of a tank when a group of staff cars with armed guards pulled up to his group and Rommel and his entourage stepped out. From what I remember, my neighbor said he had been sent in to do some field repairs on some tanks that had broken down during a fight with the "Tommies" (I still distinctly remember him using that name for the Brits). One of those vehicles was for some officer (again, had I known more I would've asked who/rank/unit etc) and apparently he mentioned this Rommel when him after he arrived at the command post and Rommel naturally asked who this mechanic was. He was directed over to my neighbor who then frantically tried to find somewhere to hide the wine bottle that he was still holding behind his back, to no avail. Rommel came over, shook his hand and asked where he was from and was pleased to hear that my neighbor was from a place near where his wife was from. I remember him laughing as he said he shook Rommel's hand with one hand and had the wine bottle behind his back with the other and that had anyone seen it he knew he wouldv'e caught hell. He ALWAYS talked about the General with a sort of reverence, which is consistent with the fact that he was beloved by most of the men who served under him. My neighbor's name was Günter however everyone including my father always called him "Gus". Sadly, Gus passed away in the late 90's and his wife died in 2007. Damn, what I wouldn't give for the opportunity to talk with him some more, knowing what I know now and it is so surreal to think that I shook hands with one that had shook the hand of the "Desert Fox". Would love to hear any of your stories about personal encounters with those who met the leaders who played such a pivotal role in our history.
Kyle