World War II Database

1. bishop says:
17 Jun 2010 06:20:56 AM

This is a great shot. Proud guys indeed.

2.  C. Peter Chen says:
18 Jun 2010 12:50:13 PM

Is that a Band-Aid on Rommel's neck? :)

3.  Bill says:
1 Feb 2015 10:34:17 AM

ALTE HASEN:

German Army slang for "Old Soldiers" who fought in
countless battles and survived without being killed or taken POW.

AFRIKIA CUFFBAND:

Did you know soldiers of the Afrika Korps were awarded the "Afrika Cuffband after six months service. Rank or combat status were not a factor in this award. Did you know that Germany awarded
6,000,000 Iron Cross awards during WWII.

The Iron Cross was awarded for Courage, Valor, Bravery, Heroism and Leadership. The Iron Cross was introduced in 1813 by King Frederick William III of Prussia, and introduced again by Adolf Hitler on 1 September 1939.
The German soldier wore all his medals and other decorations on his combat uniform and showed his status, rank, awards, wound and assault badges

ROMMEL A SOLDIERS GENERAL: LEARNING THE TRADE

Did you know early in Rommel's Military Career he
was promoted to Corporal and to Sergeant and later to Officer Cadet.

4.  Bill says:
7 Mar 2015 05:02:17 PM

A GI REMEMBERS:

When you think about Southeast Asia, one thinks about those hot and humid jungles. Did you know that Vietnam also has its flatland deserts with its hot dry season, along with its monsoon season that is hot and wet.

TASK FORCE SOUTH:

Our unit was part of a task force that moved from the Central Highlands down South in support of other U.S. units and built out firebase in a flatland desert. Those of us from California told others, that it look like the Mojave desert, with mountains behind us, but with the South China Sea in front of us.

FIELD SOLDIERS:

Like Rommel's Afrika Korps Soldiers, we also endured the heat of the day and the cold of the night. Put up with the flies, insects and creepy crawlers along with sandstorms went on operations supported allied troops but kept alert for a very elusive enemy. Unlike the Afrika Korps, US Forces
were well supplied and medical care was always a Huey Helicopter flight away.
On the other hand, I've been tired, dirty and thirsty believe me in the field warm water will taste great. The water had to be treated with chemicals and to help kill the taste, the cooks added Cool-Aid, I haven't had Cool-Aid, in over forty years. Most of the men that were a medevac were due to injuries and disease.
During my two-tours in Vietnam, I suffered from exhaustion, dehydration, disease, weight loss, skin infections, rashes, ring worm, fatigue and diarrhea that was common in such a climate.
When I watch documentaries about the war in the western desert be it Afrika Korps, British, American or Commonwealth troops. I've experienced
war in a desert and also a jungle environment.

I served with the bravest group of men that I'll ever see again in my lifetime. Like soldiers before us and those that have followed after us, we returned home to live our lives in peace...

I THANK THE EDITOR/WW2DB FOR ALLOWING ME TO LEAVE MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES DURING THE VIETNAM WAR...

5.  Bill says:
6 Nov 2016 04:22:34 PM

DESERT SONG:

Lili Marleen this song was popular on both sides during WWII. Even Erwin Rommel, Commander of the Afrika Korps liked the song, and asked Radio Belgrade to play it more in their broadcasts.

WASN'T MILITARY ENOUGH:

Did you know that Joseph Goebbels ordered the song stopped, his thinking it wasn't military enough, he was nothing more than another Nazi that was leading from behind.
After receiving mail from Axis troops to play it again, and after pressure, Goebbels changed his mind.
Later Lili Marleen was used as a station sign off at 9:55pm.

Lili Marleen was also popular with British troops as well and also tuned in to Radio Belgrade...

A GI REMEMBERS:

During my two-tours in Vietnam, US Forces had their own radio broadcasts. AFRVN
Armed Forces Radio Vietnam played everything from Rock "N" Roll to Classical Music, even TV was available used to listen to Chris Noel and all those other DJ's they playing songs from home in a far away place... as the decades have passed, I look back when ever a 1960s oldie is played on local radio, I remember where I was and what I was doing...

I thank the editor/ww2db for his continued support