My two grandfathers were German WW2 veterans.

[SvarogX]

One was in France, Poland and Africa.

The other one was in Poland and Stalingrad.

They are both dead now but I bombarded them with questions throughout my whole life and also have their diaries.
I know almost everything about what they experienced.

I feel like I want to offer myself to answer questions young people on here have.

Feel free to ask me questions about this, if your question is genuine, respectful and real, I will respond.

Shoot.

[Abaddon the Despoiler]

What did they think about Trump?

[Michu]

What was their take on Dresden? Looking back at the war and everything… did they have an opinion about it?

[SvarogX]

Ursprungligen skrivet av Michu:

What was their take on Dresden? Looking back at the war and everything… did they have an opinion about it?

I never specifically asked them about this, but I do know that they did lose family and friends in this, hence their opinion was generally shaped negatively about this bombing. However, it was more like a " war is war and war has consequences " kind of opinion.

One of my grans was a PoW in the U.K for a while before he was shipped to Texas. His experienced with the British were not positive.

[76561198356019466]

My grandfather was a WWII vet.

In just one day during the Battle of Britain he killed seven German pilots. No kidding.

No doubt, he was the worst mechanic the Luftwaffe ever had.

[Philco7a]

Did he leave you any Weimar Republic Marks?

I got a whole bunch. Someday we'll be using wheel barrows too full of money for a loaf of bread.

[SvarogX]

Ursprungligen skrivet av Philco7a:

Did he leave you any Weimar Republic Marks?

I got a whole bunch. Someday we'll be using wheel barrows too full of money for a loaf of bread.

No, but Reichsmark.

[Michu]

Ursprungligen skrivet av NotPetya74455:

Ursprungligen skrivet av Michu:

What was their take on Dresden? Looking back at the war and everything… did they have an opinion about it?

I never specifically asked them about this, but I do know that they did lose family and friends in this, hence their opinion was generally shaped negatively about this bombing. However, it was more like a " war is war and war has consequences " kind of opinion.

One of my grans was a PoW in the U.K for a while before he was shipped to Texas. His experienced with the British were not positive.

I understand… it would’ve been interesting to hear their thoughts on the matter. From a personal perspective but militarily speaking as well.

How did he manage to survive Stalingrad? Was he deploy there from the start, at the middle or late stage of the operation?

[SvarogX]

Ursprungligen skrivet av Michu:

Ursprungligen skrivet av NotPetya74455:

I never specifically asked them about this, but I do know that they did lose family and friends in this, hence their opinion was generally shaped negatively about this bombing. However, it was more like a " war is war and war has consequences " kind of opinion.

One of my grans was a PoW in the U.K for a while before he was shipped to Texas. His experienced with the British were not positive.

I understand… it would’ve been interesting to hear their thoughts on the matter. From a personal perspective but militarily speaking as well.

How did he manage to survive Stalingrad? Was he deploy there from the start or at the middle of the operation?

General attitude is that the bombing of Dresden is a war crime and crime on humanity.

No, he was deployed from day 1, in Poland, then over Ukraine up to Stalingrad, a short period even in France.

He survived by not getting shot and simply adapting a Soviet lifestyle. Wearing their clothing, eating their food and so on. He actually became a PoW in siberia and was one of the few, that managed to escape and walk by foot, making it to India, back to Germany and so on.

There is even a movie about it.

[trousers]

Did they feel like what they went through was pointless, or did it to them have a purpose (no matter how abstract or far off in the future)?

[Michu]

Ursprungligen skrivet av NotPetya74455:

Ursprungligen skrivet av Michu:

I understand… it would’ve been interesting to hear their thoughts on the matter. From a personal perspective but militarily speaking as well.

How did he manage to survive Stalingrad? Was he deploy there from the start or at the middle of the operation?

General attitude is that the bombing of Dresden is a war crime and crime on humanity.

No, he was deployed from day 1, in Poland, then over Ukraine up to Stalingrad, a short period even in France.

He survived by not getting shot and simply adapting a Soviet lifestyle. Wearing their clothing, eating their food and so on. He actually became a PoW in siberia and was one of the few, that managed to escape and walk by foot, making it to India, back to Germany and so on.

There is even a movie about it.

Thank you.

[SvarogX]

Ursprungligen skrivet av whoa there:

Did they feel like what they went through was pointless, or did it to them have a purpose (no matter how abstract or far off in the future)?

Definitely pointless, non of them supported the regime, one of my grans even opposed and became a guerilla, his brother was hanged last day of WW2 for Germany.

They basically just wanted to survive.

There was not much time or space for any deep thinking really.