WWII Vets?

[PzKpfw VI Tiger]

Did any of your grandparents or relatives serve in WWII? If so, what theater? What branch of the Military? What Rank? Any medals awarded? My grandfather served in the war. He was a 1st Lieutenant in the Pacific Theater. He was with the Army. He recieved a Riflesman Metal and a Battle Star. I even have his Officers Uniform and a Japanese Rifle that he was able to purchase.

[South African Military]

Grandfather fought in N. Africa, 1st Transvaal Scottish Regiment, I believe he was in El Alamein, not sure what medals he was awarded.

[BDL]

One granddad was in the South Lancashire Regiment, one of the first soldiers to hit the beach on D-Day. I have all of his medals and a cap badge mounted on my wall, although he only got the standard WW2 service medals, and a General Service Medal for service in Palestine after the war.

Other granddad was in the Supply Corps (I think) with the Desert Rats, went through North Africa and Italy.

[PzKpfw VI Tiger]

One granddad was in the South Lancashire Regiment, one of the first soldiers to hit the beach on D-Day. I have all of his medals and a cap badge mounted on my wall, although he only got the standard WW2 service medals, and a General Service Medal for service in Palestine after the war.

Other granddad was in the Supply Corps (I think) with the Desert Rats, went through North Africa and Italy.

SWEET!!! I have pics of my Grandpas uniform under the American Army Page, if you'll look for the Army Uniform Thread.

[reiver]

My father joined the TA in February '38, because he believed war was inevitable and wanted to have some choice in his unit.
He joined a Royal Engineers Artillery unit, then transferred, first to the Essex Regiment and later to the Royal Artillery.
He served in a searchlight battery in London during the blitz and later on Bofors guns (light AA) in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.
Finished up as a WO2 (Battery Sergeant Major).
Mentioned in Dispatches Oak Leaf on his 39-45 Service ribbon.
I still have his paybook, call-up (6 hours notice to report or else) and discharge papers.
My paternal Grandfather was a farrier-sergeant in WW1, RHA and was awarded the Croix de Guerre.
Maternal Grandfather was in reserved occupation, but in relation to another thread, my mother made Albion revolvers, in Scotstoun in Glasgow.
My father carried one.

(Essentially a repost from relatives in WW2 Thread, edited to add info re awards)
(Edited to add: Yes, That's his pic I'm using as my avatar :))

[BDL]

SWEET!!! I have pics of my Grandpas uniform under the American Army Page, if you'll look for the Army Uniform Thread.

I'll have a look at that in a bit mate - been trying to research my Granddad's D-Day - VE Day time, but ran into a bit of a brick wall after D-Day - hopefully the Regimental museum will be able to help.

[Kurt Panzer Meyer]

This is a nice thread, I am interested to see who's relatives fought in which capacities during this war.

Both my grandfathers served in the Greek Army.

My father's father: Volunteered for Crete, was shot in his right thigh (IIRC), which still ran puss until the day he died in 1999. The bullet had lodged itself in one of the veins and had to carry it with him for the rest of his life.

My mother's father: Fought in the Albanian theatre against the Italians. Upon the Greek army surrendering with the German invasion, he literally walked back to his village... half-way down through Greece.

-edit-

Bah, forgot to write: I know that both were in the infantry, I assume they were privates. I handled my mother's father's rifle which he had kept from the war (AFAIK it was a Steyr-Mannlicher).

[Firefly]

As my family comes from a Mining area, none of my Grandfathers were allowed to join up and had to work in the mines for up to 18 hours a day. funilly enough, they both died from Mining related illness. Neither of them wanted to go down either, they had no choice.

[Kurt Panzer Meyer]

Ooo nasty.

[temujin77]

My grandfather was an enlisted man with the Chinese Army air corps. My grandparents were in Shanghai on military business and experienced one of the first Japanese bombings in 1937; during that bombing my grandmother picked up a little girl who was parted from her biological parents, she would eventually become my aunt. In a similar fashion, my grandparents also lost contact with their other sons (the uncles that I never met) during the massive confusion during Japanese raids (watch the film Empire of the Sun if you want to get a visual). I don't know much about that story as my grandmother would never tell us because she would break down in tears. My grandfather followed Chiang Kaishek in southern China when Chiang relocated the capital to Chungking. He participated in operations to safeguard Burma Road from Japanese control.

After the Sino-Japanese War (the theater of WW2 China fought in), my grandfather left the Chinese Army and worked for an airline (forgot which one at the moment) but I believe he continued to service Nationalist military aircrafts during the civil war against Mao's Communists. My grandfather would follow Chiang to Manchuria on the Nationalist offensive against the Communists, which resulted in a major defeat that ultimately led to Mao's final victory. Before Chiang lost China, my grandfather and his family, along with the entire airline company, was relocated to Taiwan, where my father would meet my mother many years later and had me :)

[PzKpfw VI Tiger]

My grandfather was an enlisted man with the Chinese Army air corps. My grandparents were in Shanghai on military business and experienced one of the first Japanese bombings in 1937; during that bombing my grandmother picked up a little girl who was parted from her biological parents, she would eventually become my aunt. In a similar fashion, my grandparents also lost contact with their other sons (the uncles that I never met) during the massive confusion during Japanese raids (watch the film Empire of the Sun if you want to get a visual). I don't know much about that story as my grandmother would never tell us because she would break down in tears. My grandfather followed Chiang Kaishek in southern China when Chiang relocated the capital to Chungking. He participated in operations to safeguard Burma Road from Japanese control.

After the Sino-Japanese War (the theater of WW2 China fought in), my grandfather left the Chinese Army and worked for an airline (forgot which one at the moment) but I believe he continued to service Nationalist military aircrafts during the civil war against Mao's Communists. My grandfather would follow Chiang to Manchuria on the Nationalist offensive against the Communists, which resulted in a major defeat that ultimately led to Mao's final victory. Before Chiang lost China, my grandfather and his family, along with the entire airline company, was relocated to Taiwan, where my father would meet my mother many years later and had me :)

Quite interesting post Temujin77 :D , keep on posting guys!

[Sturmtruppen]

My grandfather was a soldier of the wehrmacht,who died in argentina when i was very young (younger than 4!),and i don´t know much about him,because,my father was distanced of him,and angry with him,since he get married,i dk why my mother don´t like the german army of ww2 (she´s german blood and son of germans and born in the colony),but with a family of camp.
.And my mother don´t likes the nazism,she has a camp family in an argentinian colony of germans,the same place were she married with my dad.my father don´t likes the topic of ww2 (since he´s married,he don´t likes that,and my granpa from father line was the man who fought in ww2.

[Hanz Lutz]

My grandfather is been German soldier ,1944 he must go in fight and he have 18 years .
He fight in east front after 3 months he is captured and spend 2 years in POW capm in Siberia.
He never be a nacist only soldier who must go in fight they kill him if he refuse to go .

[Roland]

My Grandpa was in the Canadian Black Watch and participated in the
invasion of Normandy on Juno beach and in the Liberation of Holland. I am pretty sure he was originally just infantry but became a mechanic after he fixed a broken down truck or some other equipment.

[Hosenfield]

I think I am infamous for this already. My grandfather was a career wermarcht officer that fought in russia and made it to the outskirts of moscow with the subsequent retreat. Was wounded twice. He stayed on the eastern front until late 1943, where he was transferred to the Waffen-SS after their severe blooding. Got trained and trained other soldiers, and saw action in the west during the landings. Got wounded again. Recovered before "Watch at the Rhine", and took part there. Got wounded again, this time longer. Went back to the east, and retreated back to Berlin. Made it out of berlin well before the city collasped, and traveled cautiously on foot with a very small group and was captured by an american patrol.


he spent the war at home, at the front, or in a military hospital, and an allied POW camp.

[ww2fanatic1944]

My grandfather trained paratroopers until 1944. He then joined the 101st airborne division, and later transferred to the 82nd. He fought in a Bridge Too Far, The Battle of the Bulge, and The Battle for Berlin. At the end of the war, he helped secure Hitler's eagle's nest. He was wounded once by shrapnel, and was awarded the purple heart. My grandfather made it up to the rank of Captain.

[PzKpfw VI Tiger]

My grandfather trained paratroopers until 1944. He then joined the 101st airborne division, and later transferred to the 82nd. He fought in a Bridge Too Far, The Battle of the Bulge, and The Battle for Berlin. At the end of the war, he helped secure Hitler's eagle's nest. He was wounded once by shrapnel, and was awarded the purple heart. My grandfather made it up to the rank of Captain.

wow, thats pretty cool :D :wink: do you have his uniform? if so, post it in my American Army Uniform thread in the American Army forum :wink:

[ww2fanatic1944]

im going out to my grandfather's house next summer to visit him. he still has an old trunk with alot of photos, his helmut, various papers, and im pretty sure he still has his uniform. ill be sure to take alot of pictures when i get out there (he lives on the west coast of the US, i live on the east.)

[PzKpfw VI Tiger]

im going out to my grandfather's house next summer to visit him. he still has an old trunk with alot of photos, his helmut, various papers, and im pretty sure he still has his uniform. ill be sure to take alot of pictures when i get out there (he lives on the west coast of the US, i live on the east.)

Cool :D :D Can't wait to see the pics

[Hosenfield]

My grandfather trained paratroopers until 1944. He then joined the 101st airborne division, and later transferred to the 82nd. He fought in a Bridge Too Far, The Battle of the Bulge, and The Battle for Berlin. At the end of the war, he helped secure Hitler's eagle's nest. He was wounded once by shrapnel, and was awarded the purple heart. My grandfather made it up to the rank of Captain.

wow i didn't know operation market garden was actually called "a bridge too far" which is a name of a book and movie.. 8)


And wow, I didn't know that the americans fought in the battle of Berlin!!!! I thought the soviets conquered the city alone!!!!! :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:

[Hosenfield]

wow your grandfather must be a character from band of brothers!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[PzKpfw VI Tiger]

My grandfather trained paratroopers until 1944. He then joined the 101st airborne division, and later transferred to the 82nd. He fought in a Bridge Too Far, The Battle of the Bulge, and The Battle for Berlin. At the end of the war, he helped secure Hitler's eagle's nest. He was wounded once by shrapnel, and was awarded the purple heart. My grandfather made it up to the rank of Captain.

wow i didn't know operation market garden was actually called "a bridge too far" which is a name of a book and movie.. 8)


And wow, I didn't know that the americans fought in the battle of Berlin!!!! I thought the soviets conquered the city alone!!!!! :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:

Actually, A Bridge Too Far was a battle fought within Market Garden if I am correct. Though I was under the impression that the Soviet Union counqured Berlin by themselves. :?

[Hosenfield]

My grandfather trained paratroopers until 1944. He then joined the 101st airborne division, and later transferred to the 82nd. He fought in a Bridge Too Far, The Battle of the Bulge, and The Battle for Berlin. At the end of the war, he helped secure Hitler's eagle's nest. He was wounded once by shrapnel, and was awarded the purple heart. My grandfather made it up to the rank of Captain.

wow i didn't know operation market garden was actually called "a bridge too far" which is a name of a book and movie.. 8)


And wow, I didn't know that the americans fought in the battle of Berlin!!!! I thought the soviets conquered the city alone!!!!! :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:

Actually, A Bridge Too Far was a battle fought within Market Garden if I am correct. Though I was under the impression that the Soviet Union counqured Berlin by themselves. :?

umm no, i don't think a bridge too far" was the name of a battle. "a bridge too far" is the name of a book by Cornelius ryan.

the main bridges were arnhem and nijmegan.

if 1944's grandad fought in the battle of berlin, he must of parachuting down as a commando and removed hitler's ashes for the OSS?! :roll:

why would someone in the 101st airborne transferr to the 82nd airborne? :?:

[ww2fanatic1944]

lol i take that some of you think that i made this up...i did not. although i was wrong in stating that he actually fought in the battle of berlin, more he was in berlin after the battle ended. and he was at hitlers eagle's nest. if you dont believe me then wait and see the pics :D

[PzKpfw VI Tiger]

lol i take that some of you think that i made this up...i did not. although i was wrong in stating that he actually fought in the battle of berlin, more he was in berlin after the battle ended. and he was at hitlers eagle's nest. if you dont believe me then wait and see the pics :D

And pics I'd love to see :D And Hosenfield, seems I was wrong :oops:

[Hanz Lutz]

Eagle nest i want to see ,

[Cuts]

Eagle nest i want to see ,

It's well worth the visit.
Compared to many on this site you are relatively near to it, perhaps you could take a trip there sometime.
The restaurant's not bad either.

[Bluffcove]

My Maternal grandfather was a farmer and therefore retained in the UK and didnt go to war. though stood his home guard and things like that.

My Paternal Grandfather was in the Transport corps and spent time in Norway and Holland,Driving thorugh to Njimegen.

[Hanz Lutz]

Eagle nest i want to see ,

It's well worth the visit.
Compared to many on this site you are relatively near to it, perhaps you could take a trip there sometime.
The restaurant's not bad either.

Hmm better then i saw on pictures i never see eagle nest ,and i dont go in visit ,who knows maybe some crazy nazi wait inside :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Wheezer1]

My dad was with the British Army in Burma, my Father-in-law was on Iwo Jima and my Uncle was with Pattons 3rd Army. They all saw action but it was my father-in-law who experienced the worst of it. He went in on day 10 under a commander named Pollock, right up through the center of the island. He was really hesitant to talk about it so I never pushed him. All heroes in my book.

[Firefly]

WHat did your dad do then mate and welcome aboard by the way.

[Wheezer1]

Thanks! Saw this forum and had to join in. My dad drove ambulance with an outfit called the American Field Service, attached to the British Army. Because his eyesight was so poor (the Americans wouldnt take him) and as he put it, was "not going to be denied" getting into the war, when he heard about the AFS offer, he jumped on it.
He got a decoration & ribbon for being in a major battle (came under very intense fire) and said of those years that they were some of the best in his life. He's still with us, just turned 90, and sharp as a tack!

[Firefly]

Kudous to your dad. Even more for what he did. He could have stayed at home and didnt. Send him my regards....

[Cactus]

My uncle was in the 12th Armored/ 2nd Armored division, served in Europe. I believe when he was discharged he was a PFC. He was awarded the WW2 Victory medal, WW2 service lapel button, he also was put in for the good conduct but I don't think he ever recieved according to the papers I have. Here are two pictures I found on my pc of him.
http://img288.imageshack.us/img288/6072/scan0001retouched8hd.jpg

http://img312.imageshack.us/img312/60/unclet7xw.jpg

My grandfather was in the Coast Guard. He was going to the Pacific but came down with the same thing Bobby Darin had I can't recall the name offhand and he got an honorable discharge. He was going to be working with the Higgins boats landing troops. I believe he was doing Shore Patrol also.
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3160/scan00054uz.jpg

his other brother andy was in the bataan (SP) and was captured and sent to Osaka pow camp. He was moved also I forget to where I have the newspaper article on it though. this is the picture the japanese took when he entered the camp of him of course when he got rescued he didn't look like this .S. Air force maintenance, stationed in Baton Philippines
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/434/osaka9mg.jpg

his other brother tom, Tom – Survivor of USS Gunboat Erie. Gunnery Sgt. Marines 2 Years. Occupied China. Teaching and leading guerilla warfare disrupting Japanese war efforts. Awarded Bronze star. he took a kid that they encounter in a village and took care of him and whatnot even though he wasn't suppose to and a think years later that same kid made it to the US and said in a newspaper article he owed his life to tom i don't hav ethat article though
that is him far left with his mom and his brother
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9352/tom1my.jpg :(


his other brother joey was in the 282nd Airborne i dont think i have pictures of him if i find some ill upload a few

my other grandfather was in the army but he missed his ship to go overseas not much to say there.

[Ingsoc]

My gradfather was a private in the Jewish Bridage that was part of the Palestine regiment, he fought in North Africa and Italy.

[jnd2089]

Even though i dont know much, i believe my grandfather was on HMS Repulse. Serving with HMS Prince of Wales in the Pacific Campaign along side US forces... I do know that he did earn some medals...

[Firefly]

My gradfather was a private in the Jewish Bridage that was part of the Palestine regiment, he fought in North Africa and Italy.

One question, and you may have been waiting for it. If I take it you are jewish, from your location and remarks, how do you reconcile having an SS Avatar?

I'm not getting at you, but am just curious?

[jnd2089]

interesting question Firefly

[Ingsoc]

My gradfather was a private in the Jewish Bridage that was part of the Palestine regiment, he fought in North Africa and Italy.

One question, and you may have been waiting for it. If I take it you are jewish, from your location and remarks, how do you reconcile having an SS Avatar?

I'm not getting at you, but am just curious?

I just picked it up beacause I think it's a great pic, after all not everyone who had WW2 German avatars are identify with the politics of that time...

[Rommel]

Both my grandfathers served in WW2. One had a desk job for the army (don't know what he did) somewhere in Colorado or Kansas I believe, I have his uniform somewhere and a (GI?) Scarf that was with it.

The other one was in the navy, and was an electrician in a transport boat in the Pacific Theatre. The only place he's talked about being was Iwo Jima, but I think he was at a few other significant places, possibly Okinawa.

[Kurt88]

My grandfather was a T Sgt. in the 243rd Combat Engineer battalion. In 1944 he landed at Le Havre, France. He was stationed near Malmedy in the Ardennes offensive. He helped bridge the Rhine at St. Goar, Germany. This was one of the toughest Rhine crossings. He was also part of the occupation force after the war. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the victory medals. in 1946 he was honorably discharged. I have lots of pictures of him once I figure out how to post them I will.

[Kovalski]

First of my grandfathers was arrested by the Germans few months after the war started. He was sent as a slave to some Phillips factory, where he worked for few years. My second grandfather served as a cavalryman (ulan) during september 1939. Fortunately he didn't became a POW, and came back home near Sokolka (Eastern Poland). He joined Home Army (Armia Krajowa), and fought the Germans till 1944. Then Russians crossed polish border. Shortly after the Germans withdrew, NKVD started massive terror against polish patriots. My grandfather was one of hundreds of thousands arrested. After few months of prison he was released. He joined some secret organisation targeting Red Army, Polish Army and polish communists - I don't know what it was - a continuation of Home Army (WiN) or something else. It is true that my grandfather served in it until 1952. He was arrested again and spent some time in prison but finally he was released. It's a mystery, how he managed to survive and fight all these years. And it's unbelievable that he wasn't murdered in prison. He died in 1961. All of his friends and old members of my family were afraid to talk about his life. I tried to find somebody who would know anything about my grandfather, but I think it is too late.

[arhob1]

Grandfather (Paternal side) - Was from a long line of farmers and so continued farming throughout the war and beyond. Some of his land was bought by the MoD (or whatever the equivalent was back then) and converted to an airfiedl (Saltby in Leicestershire). My father tells a few interesting stories about those times such as the build up at the airfield of US troops in preparation for D Day and how my grandmother was scared to see a black US GI leaning up against her garden wall having never seen a coloured fellow before.

Grandfather (Maternal side) - Volunteered as soon as the war started, much to my Grandmother's annoyance as they had two young daughters; Army pay was so poor that what was sent home to his family barely covered the essentials. So my Grandmother spent the war moving from one relative to another until each in turn moved them on. He joined the Royal Artillery and spent most of the war in Anti-Aircraft units - as far as I can tell mainly based in Dover. He operated the searchlights which he didnt like because enemy fighters would (according to my mum) shoot down the beam to put the lights out/kill those that man them. On the occasions his unit was posted overseas he was in hospital with one back injury or another. The first being when an AA gun rolled in to him, therefater always had back problems.

No "daring do" there but both did what millions of others did - played a small part in a cast of millions which lead to ultimate victory.

[Cuts]

Very true Arhob, a cast of millions all working toward the ultimate goal of victory and liberation.

It is difficult for the youth of today to understand exactly what was at stake and the privations endured by those both overseas and on the home front.

While farming then was far from as mechanised as it is today, those that worked the land were every bit as responsible for the survival of the UK through the blockade as were The Few during the Battle of Britain, and it would be a foolish man who underestimates their value.


"They also serve who only stand and wait." - Milton.

[2nd of foot]

It was only recently that I learned of the Bevin boys. Boys drafted to the coalmines so that men could be sent to the forces.


http://www.gtj.org.uk/storage/Components/533/53319_1.JPG

http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/trlout/TRA27580.html

[Timbo in Oz]

one of the great uncles was killed at Gallipoli, he was a Captain in the Infantry of the 1st AIF, the other one was a sapper officerand was gassed. Spent rest of his life in a veteran's hospital (Dept of Repatriation).

Pardy, my dad's dad, was a Sergeant in the 3rd Division (1st AIF) Ammunition Column, Royal Australian Artillery, bringing up the ammo into the front-line for trench mortars, and for field guns.

Dad joined for the duration in the RAAF in 1939, he was already in the Militia, as a coast gunner on North Head Sydney Harbour.

He went overseas to the Western desert as the Medical Sgt of no 3 Squadron RAAF and was in the field with them against the Italians, Vichy French, and the Germans. Got amoebic dysentery twice, and came home in Feb 1943 with the 9th Div's convoy in a hospital ship.

MY FIL was also in the Militia and then went into the 2nd AIF once he graduated, with double honours - went straight into INT having been recruited/vetted beforehand. Worked with the - only recently acnowledged - Bureau manned by Aussies. Our equivalent of Bletchley Park, but distributed. It's own HQ was at the heart of Mac's HQ. FIL's role was sig-int on Morotai.

He was after the war, a literature and classics professor at the RMC here. one of world's top academics on Hardy and an authority on Australia's WWI and WWII literature.

[Timbo in Oz]

No 3 was a regular RAAF squadron trained as Army Coop'n - they started with Lysanders and Gladiators against the Italian's CR42's and the 3-engine bombers - etc, then Hurricanes, then Tomahawks /P40B's, Kittyhawks. later in Italy/Yugo they got P51's.

He got amoebic dysentery TWICE. He receieved a MID's twice, in both cases for pulling aircrew from burning aircraft, one was a B24 with hung-up bombs still aboard.

He was commissioned on his return in early 1943, got my mother back from Melbourne where she was working on aircraft camouflage paint at Fisherman's Bend.

His first achievement here was the first fully airborne surgical-hospital, staff duties, logistics etc. The whole box and dice.

Next he became the adjutant as F/Lt of a special Allied (USA / RAAF / RAF / RNZAF) research unit based at Sydney University, doing early research on pressure and anti-G suits!! With Professor Cotton. He also managed to finish his Pharmacy course!

Timbo

[Timbo in Oz]

At the end of the war, he helped secure Hitler's eagle's nest.

the Eagles Nest was either the complex in Bavaria / Austria?

there was also one in East Prussia? IIRC

[Lancer44]

At the end of the war, he helped secure Hitler's eagle's nest.

the Eagles Nest was either the complex in Bavaria / Austria?

there was also one in East Prussia? IIRC

Hi Timbo in Oz,

Eagles Nest was in Berchtesgaden in Bavaria and Hitlers residence was called Berghof.

East Prussian Headquarter was in Ketrzyn and called Wolfschanze.

Cheers,

Lancer44 in Oz