Günter Grass - Interesting Story

[KMC1945]

Hello everyone,

Some of you probably are aware that the very famous (and still living) German author Günter Grass admitted just a few years ago that he was a member (although conscripted) of the Waffen SS, particularly the 10th SS "Frundsberg". From what I have read, he has only given ONE account of his experiences, on his terms, and has pretty much refused any other inquiry. Keep in mind he was very young at the time (seventeen). For those that are interested, I have posted a link to his story which is extremely riveting. Covers his journey from service in the RAD, to the W-SS, training and capture. Posted it here because he was trained as a tank gunner and there he talks about being trained/operating Panzer III's and IV's as well as Jagdpanthers. It's very long, but really worth the time, in my opinion.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2...urrentPage=all

Regards,

Kyle

[Jägermarty]

Interesting read, thanks

[Daimyo]

Thank you for sharing the link - an excellent read.

[LuckyStrike23]

This guy was one of the strongest critics of Helmut Kohl who visited the Bitburg cemetrie together with Ronald Reagan:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitburg

Everyone can concive his own opinion - mine is

[KMC1945]

Yes I did read about that; very ironic but at the time, I guess he figured that no one would ever find out? It seems like a pragmatic move on his part, publicly condemning the visit all the while knowing his own past. But to be fair, he is right when he says about how the SS was viewed by most as being just an elite unit which was sent into the most crucial areas. And to a point, that is/was true.

[Thorsten B.]

Grass is just weak, ridiculous and inconsequent in his personal behaviour.

All his writing was in fact a replacement activity against his own history which he refused to deal with - poor show!

[KMC1945]

Thorsten, I'm starting to feel like he is not as well "admired" by his fellow countrymen as I thought. Is that the case? And yes, I would bet the house that he definitely "sanitized" portions of this story. The man served on the eastern front in an SS division in combat against the Soviet army and he never fired a shot? Not saying it couldn't have happened, it just seems very improbable to me.

[recceboy]

Interesting.

[tgn]

Katz und Maus, a very good read...

Grass was, ans is, a victim of political correctness in Germany.

Tom

[LuckyStrike23]

Thorsten, I'm starting to feel like he is not as well "admired" by his fellow countrymen as I thought. Is that the case? And yes, I would bet the house that he definitely "sanitized" portions of this story. The man served on the eastern front in an SS division in combat against the Soviet army and he never fired a shot? Not saying it couldn't have happened, it just seems very improbable to me.

Your feeling is correct. He was a leading figure for the German left wing society - but after 2006 they feel a little bit embarassed

[KMC1945]

Thanks Lucky, yeah it seems very ironic. I wonder if he would have been as successful had the truth behind his military service been public back then.

[LuckyStrike23]

Thanks Lucky, yeah it seems very ironic. I wonder if he would have been as successful had the truth behind his military service been public back then.

I think that has nothing to do with his career. He is indeed a good writer - no question. But he played also an important role in in German public and politics during the last 60 years. This role had been very different if his past had been known. Me for example (and I think most of the German) cannot understand why he condemed Helmut Kohl for visiting a cemetry with 17 and 18 years old WaffenSS soldiers when he was a member of the WaffenSS himself.

[corporalSteiner]

thanks for the link. wouldnt he have had a blood group tattoo under his arm, as he was eventually waffen ss? or was this ritual not always followed?

[LuckyStrike23]

thanks for the link. wouldnt he have had a blood group tattoo under his arm, as he was eventually waffen ss? or was this ritual not always followed?

Not at the end of the war when young men were drafted into the WaffenSS - so I suppose he hadnt one.