veteran surprise

[pauke]

Several days ago I decided to meet an old German who lives next door to a friend in another town. The friend told me some info he knew about the fellow having been in the German army towards the end of the war. After spending some time talking about his experiences as a youth we got to his entering the army. He told me when he was inducted, where he had basic training and his specialty-- a tank mechanic. Hoping he would recall numbers I asked what unit he was then posted to and he replied "Panzer Regiment Das Reich". He was in the Ardennes and in Hungary and ended the war walking across Austria finally making it to American lines. And, yes, he has a small "A" tatoo on the inside of his left arm which he showed me and--surprise-- he still had his Soldbuch, W-SS driver's license and discharge paper from Amerian captivity. He's absolutely low-key about his military service and never has told anyone about his Das Reich connection or showed his documents to anyone. No great tales to tell, just that he simply managed to survive, though EVERYTHING else was lost. Never wounded, no awards, his home never again seen as it was not possible after the war. He came to the US in the 50's to make a better life for his family and this he certainly accomplished. I'll go back for another visit soon. And, no, he never was issued a cuffband!

[steve wilko]

Yes it is a strange old world we live in ...... I find that all the time when you finally encounter one of these men. Very surprised that someone is interested in their previous life....very "humble" for lack of a better word when recounting their experiences......even their own children/family know nothing of "that " life or if they do they dont want to know about it. It all ends with the making of a better life for themselves at the end of that part of their lives. These meetings are moments I cherish for all too soon these moments will end and time will only know "their' stories.
Steve.

[Norden]

That was a very interesting . When I was in high school a girlfriend of mine's parents were from from Germany. Her father and had served in the Wehrmacht as a common soldier. I never talked to him about it as at the time I just wasn't interested in the subject. (I was sure interested in his daughter though!) If I could talk to him now I sure would have plenty questions.

As an aside, my step-son is married to a girl from Wisconsin and her grandmother was from Germany and lived through the war. She married her grandfather when he was there fighting in the army. I have talked to her extensively and it was very interesting to hear her side of the story. Still has the accent and all.