Any WW II buffs?

[Thor99]

I wonder how many folks are familiar with Python's less famous skits? Well done Thor, anyway. We'll hijack another thread in the future, I'm sure.

Well done, Bruce! No Poofters!

[Panzer Division Marduk]

I wonder how many folks are familiar with Python's less famous skits? Well done Thor, anyway. We'll hijack another thread in the future, I'm sure.

Might be time to resurrect the mighty Python thread from ages past.

[AFJF]

Just won an item on ebay for an original letter handed out to all of the troops from Eisenhower prior to departure to Normandy.

Obviously with the number of original letters that were lost/destroyed there are only so many originals left.

I'm pretty psyched about it, just thought I'd share

Heres a link to another thats up for auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-WWII-EISENHOWER-D-DAY-MESSAGE-LETTER-TO-TROOPS_W0QQitemZ6551712697QQcategoryZ4718QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Preston Howley III]

AFJF-

Do you study WW I, at all? Rhinebeck NY has a cool Air museum I want to check out. They have bi-planes and you can get a 15 minute ride for 40 bucks.

[Jetheelz]

Just won an item on ebay for an original letter handed out to all of the troops from Eisenhower prior to departure to Normandy.

Obviously with the number of original letters that were lost/destroyed there are only so many originals left.

I'm pretty psyched about it, just thought I'd share

Heres a link to another thats up for auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-WWII-EISENHOWER-D-DAY-MESSAGE-LETTER-TO-TROOPS_W0QQitemZ6551712697QQcategoryZ4718QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thats an awesome piece of history there. Make sure you frame it or something when you receive it.

[sirlancemehlot]

If you're ever out in Tennessee, there's a great museum featuring the Memphis Belle. It's on Rock Island out in the Mississippi. there are other vintage aircraft as well, and a scale replica of the river--but the Belle is the jewel here. It's amazing to stand there and stare up at the fuselage of a warplane that saw more action than an awol marine in Bankok boom-boom house.

[AFJF]

AFJF-

Do you study WW I, at all? Rhinebeck NY has a cool Air museum I want to check out. They have bi-planes and you can get a 15 minute ride for 40 bucks.

Not yet Moses but I have picked up a couple of books that I've yet to read (actually about 1,000 books I've yet to read, I can buy em a lot faster than I can read em) I don't know that it'll be as interesting as WWII but I dont like the idea of learning a ton about one, and not the other. Picked up "an army at dawn" and I look forward to reading it.

I'll have to look in to the air museum next time I come up north, thanks for the tip.

[AFJF]

Thats an awesome piece of history there. Make sure you frame it or something when you receive it.

I'm already planning to have it framed and matted in the same frame with a poster of one of the famous D-Day landing shots (soldiers getting ready to deploy from a Higgins boat), I just haven't decided where I'm going to put it yet.

[AFJF]

If you're ever out in Tennessee, there's a great museum featuring the Memphis Belle. It's on Rock Island out in the Mississippi. there are other vintage aircraft as well, and a scale replica of the river--but the Belle is the jewel here. It's amazing to stand there and stare up at the fuselage of a warplane that saw more action than an awol marine in Bankok boom-boom house.

Thanks for the heads up sirlance...I was actually thinking about the Memphis Belle yesterday when I was reading a section of Ambroses' D-Day when he referred to some aircraft getting "milk runs" on D-Day while others had to fly close in bomber support.

I've been planning to take a trip to New Orleas for the national D-Day museum prior to going on my trip to Normandy but it looks like I now have reason to plan a trip to Tennessee.

Thanks again.

[Jetheelz]

I'm already planning to have it framed and matted in the same frame with a poster of one of the famous D-Day landing shots (soldiers getting ready to deploy from a Higgins boat), I just haven't decided where I'm going to put it yet.

Hey, that sounds really nice.

Take some pics of it once you have it done if you can. I would really like to see it.

[The Gun Of Bavaria]

Enjoy the trip man. The pic above was taken at Omaha beach in 1998 when I was a 1LT in the Army. We did the entire D-Day tour, it was unbelievable. Omaha Beach and the cemetary are very moving.

[AFJF]

Enjoy the trip man. The pic above was taken at Omaha beach in 1998 when I was a 1LT in the Army. We did the entire D-Day tour, it was unbelievable. Omaha Beach and the cemetary are very moving.

Hell yeah Guns, my trip is still seven months away but I can't stop thinking about it. Must have been an awesome feeling to be there.

The closest I've been to WWII history to this point was a trip to Dachau a few years ago.

This should top that...Damn I can't wait

[AFJF]

Hey, that sounds really nice.

Take some pics of it once you have it done if you can. I would really like to see it.

Absolutely Heelz, will do.

[Preston Howley III]

My family and I are going to Rhinebeck NY, this weekend. If anybody wants to rendezvous, give me a PM!

http://www.oldrhinebeck.org/

[AFJF]

JetHeelz, here's a link to a couple of shots I took of the framed letter with a couple of pictures flanking it.

Sorry about the lack of quality but with the type of glass I had put over the pictures, it was impossible to get a clear image. (at least it was for me with my overpriced digital camera)

The picture on the left is a famous shot of Eisenhower addressing the airborne troops prior to taking off for France pre H-Hour and on the right is another famous shot of troops arriving at Omaha beach on board a Higgins boat. Centered obviously is the authentic letter carried by each soldier of the allied forces on D-Day. Enjoy.

http://eshare.hpphoto.com/en/home/welcome.asp?JobID={F6C272EB-C44E-4223-AE56-0BA9C2371AC8}&IDKey=0&isflag=ExternalLink&st=0

[Jetheelz]

Man, these are awesome!!

Thank you so much for sharing them.

[AFJF]

Man, these are awesome!!

Thank you so much for sharing them.

My pleasure Heelz, this is definitely a topic I wish I had learned to appreciate long ago but I guess it's better late than never.

[Jetheelz]

I know exactly how you feel. I did not really get interested in history and WWII until I got into my 20's.

I remember my grandfather telling me stories of some of the missions he went out on with his squad, etc. To me they were just grandfather/grandson stories, now I look at them as valuable and interesting knowledge.

In fact, I told my mother the only thing I wanted from her was my grandfather's WWII medals and the flag that was draped on his casket. You can't put money value on that kind of stuff.

[AFJF]

I know exactly how you feel. I did not really get interested in history and WWII until I got into my 20's.

I remember my grandfather telling me stories of some of the missions he went out on with his squad, etc. To me they were just grandfather/grandson stories, now I look at them as valuable and interesting knowledge.

In fact, I told my mother the only thing I wanted from her was my grandfather's WWII medals and the flag that was draped on his casket. You can't put money value on that kind of stuff.

Absolutely man, any type of memorabilia from that era/war is priceless.

I tried buying a clock that was taken out of a panzer tank by some US Army troops that was on EBay and I offered a few hundred dollars but it didn't even meet the reserve.

I have another piece that I'm not sure what to do with...long story short

My uncle was in the british army, years ago he purchased a dagger from a friend who had taken the dagger from a guard at a concentration camp he helped liberate. It has all of the markings you would expect of a German soldier in the era with an ivory handle. My uncle sold it to my dad and my dad recently gave it to me. An article that belonged to the bad guys but it's in great shape and a piece of history either way. I don't want to scare the sh*t out of anyone who comes over to my house and gets the wrong idea.

Any ideas for what you'll do when you get your grandfathers stuff?

[Jetheelz]

Any ideas for what you'll do when you get your grandfathers stuff?

I thought about getting a nice wooden frame and putting his medals and the flag in it. Of course it would have to be a good sized one since that flag is folded up in the triangle design.

I think it would look nice. I may even have his name and date of birth/death engraved on it.

[AFJF]

I thought about getting a nice wooden frame and putting his medals and the flag in it. Of course it would have to be a good sized one since that flag is folded up in the triangle design.

I think it would look nice. I may even have his name and date of birth/death engraved on it.

If you live anywhere near a military base you can usually find a trophy shop that will do shadow box designs for retired military personnel and tons of designs...best of luck with that

[Jetheelz]

Thanks.

I guess the closest place would be Fayetteville with Fort Bragg and all those places.

[AFJF]

Bringing this old thread back to life...I leave for my WWII trip in two days...can't wait to hit all of the landmarks:yahoo:

[AFJF]

Bringing this old thread back to life...I leave for my WWII trip in two days...can't wait to hit all of the landmarks:yahoo:

[faba]

Bringing this old thread back to life...I leave for my WWII trip in two days...can't wait to hit all of the landmarks:yahoo:

AirforceJetfan are you going on one of those historychannel sponsored trips?- If so let me know your opinion of it-how well it was set up and run. I have been looking into them as I am interested in historical events

[faba]

Bringing this old thread back to life...I leave for my WWII trip in two days...can't wait to hit all of the landmarks:yahoo:

AirforceJetfan are you going on one of those historychannel sponsored trips?- If so let me know your opinion of it-how well it was set up and run. I have been looking into them as I am interested in historical events

[SouthernJet]

Bringing this old thread back to life...I leave for my WWII trip in two days...can't wait to hit all of the landmarks:yahoo:

yes,,father was a B24 Liberator bomber pilot in WWII

[SouthernJet]

Bringing this old thread back to life...I leave for my WWII trip in two days...can't wait to hit all of the landmarks:yahoo:

yes,,father was a B24 Liberator bomber pilot in WWII

[NorthCoastJetsFan]

Bringing this old thread back to life...I leave for my WWII trip in two days...can't wait to hit all of the landmarks:yahoo:

Have a great time on your trip. It sounds terrific.

As for the WW II movies, one I didn't see mentioned was Stalag 17, and also, The Great Escape.

I must have read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (the Shirer book) 6 or 7 times. A great book and definitive history of the evil that was **** Germany and of the war strategies.

Funny, while I'm very interested and fairly knowledgable on the European side of the war, I know almost nothing on the Pacific side. I have some reading to do there. Any recommendations from anyone?

[NorthCoastJetsFan]

Bringing this old thread back to life...I leave for my WWII trip in two days...can't wait to hit all of the landmarks:yahoo:

Have a great time on your trip. It sounds terrific.

As for the WW II movies, one I didn't see mentioned was Stalag 17, and also, The Great Escape.

I must have read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (the Shirer book) 6 or 7 times. A great book and definitive history of the evil that was **** Germany and of the war strategies.

Funny, while I'm very interested and fairly knowledgable on the European side of the war, I know almost nothing on the Pacific side. I have some reading to do there. Any recommendations from anyone?

[NIGHT STALKER]

I guess you can call me a WWII buff. My dad, father 'n law and 11 uncles all served in WWII. Had one uncle land on Utah Beach on D-Day with the 4th ID and was KIA a week later when a German "88" slammed near the fox hole he was sharing with 5 others...all KIA. From what we have been told, there wasn't one scratch on any of them...concussion did them in. He was buried in France but the family wouldn't leave his body over there and it was transported back to the US in 1948.

Another uncle was a tank driver under Patton...his stories were always unbelievable. He was there to liberate one of the concentration camps (Dachau)...he would get all choked up telling me about how he held this one little girl who was about 10 and said she couldn't have weight more than 30 or 40 pounds...he often wondered if she had survived.

My dad was a field medic for the 3rd Infantry Division and no, he didn't know Audie Murphy. My dad tells me of this story of when they arrived home after the war and their ship is getting ready to dock in NYC...one of the guys in his unit had lost both legs and asks my dad if he could carry him up to the deck to see the Statue of Liberty and my dad did it...couldn't tell me that story without losing it.

All of my family from WWII are now deceased, but their stories will stay with me forever. That generation of people was like no other we've ever had...wish they were around today.

Note: I was attached to the 2nd Ranger Battalion (same as the Private Ryan movie)...then tranferred to the 101st A/B...then after I was wounded, reasigned to the a helicopter company because my profile prevented me from being a ground pounder.

[NIGHT STALKER]

I guess you can call me a WWII buff. My dad, father 'n law and 11 uncles all served in WWII. Had one uncle land on Utah Beach on D-Day with the 4th ID and was KIA a week later when a German "88" slammed near the fox hole he was sharing with 5 others...all KIA. From what we have been told, there wasn't one scratch on any of them...concussion did them in. He was buried in France but the family wouldn't leave his body over there and it was transported back to the US in 1948.

Another uncle was a tank driver under Patton...his stories were always unbelievable. He was there to liberate one of the concentration camps (Dachau)...he would get all choked up telling me about how he held this one little girl who was about 10 and said she couldn't have weight more than 30 or 40 pounds...he often wondered if she had survived.

My dad was a field medic for the 3rd Infantry Division and no, he didn't know Audie Murphy. My dad tells me of this story of when they arrived home after the war and their ship is getting ready to dock in NYC...one of the guys in his unit had lost both legs and asks my dad if he could carry him up to the deck to see the Statue of Liberty and my dad did it...couldn't tell me that story without losing it.

All of my family from WWII are now deceased, but their stories will stay with me forever. That generation of people was like no other we've ever had...wish they were around today.

Note: I was attached to the 2nd Ranger Battalion (same as the Private Ryan movie)...then tranferred to the 101st A/B...then after I was wounded, reasigned to the a helicopter company because my profile prevented me from being a ground pounder.

[NJ]

Funny, while I'm very interested and fairly knowledgable on the European side of the war, I know almost nothing on the Pacific side. I have some reading to do there. Any recommendations from anyone?

NCJF - My Dad was 3rd Marines and involved in the taking of Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima from the Japanese. He was a communications specialist which meant he had the crap job of getting the hard wire run to the front of the action so they could have a reliable means of calling in artillary support. I guess those first Motorola lunchbox walkie talkies had even more dropped calls then their cell phones do today.

He was still in his LST on 2/21/45 when the flag was raised on Mt. Suribachi but landed the next morning. Unfortunately for him, the fighting had hardly begun as the Japanese had built a maze of concrete tunnels that was like the NYC subway system. They didn't declare the island secure for more than a month.

I can get him to talk about it after a few beers but I can't even imagine the stuff he saw and had to do.

I'm fortunate to have access to his Marine issued books but there's a slew of accurate writing on the whole pacific campaign. Also a lot of good sites on the web. For a decent chronological overview of the battles in the different island chains with maps, look at http://www.military.com/Resources/HistorySubmittedFileView?file=history_worldwarii_asia_maps.htm#general

[AFJF]

Funny, while I'm very interested and fairly knowledgable on the European side of the war, I know almost nothing on the Pacific side. I have some reading to do there. Any recommendations from anyone?

Same here, I'm currently reading yet another WWII book about the European side of it. "Defeat in the West" by Milton Shulman. Shulman was a Canadian Intel officer who got to interview all of the surviving key players in Hitlers regime. Great book so far.

Haven't read much at all on the Pacific side. I did start reading "In Harms Way" which seemed like a great book but like so many others, I misplaced it..started a new book, and haven't picked it up since.

I will start reading up on the other part of the war once I feel I've read enough about Europe.

[AFJF]

AirforceJetfan are you going on one of those historychannel sponsored trips?- If so let me know your opinion of it-how well it was set up and run. I have been looking into them as I am interested in historical events

Honestly Faba, I'm not sure if it's sponosred by the history channel becasue it hasn't been advertised at any point. However with my tour package they did send me the history channel multi-part series on D-Day (cheap bastards sent it on VHS but I already owned it on DVD)

I'll let everybody know how it was once I get back. I've had quite a few people ask up to this point so I'll fill everybody in.

Another reason I'm so pumped about getting shipped off to England in Sep/Oct is because I'll be able to take all the WWII trips I want, at my liesure.