World War II Database

1. Anonymous says:
22 Oct 2013 07:11:34 AM

I'm no Nazi supporter, but *** that uniform... next to the American officers, it looks like something from the future.

2. Anonymous says:
27 Jun 2014 12:52:11 PM

I disagree - the uniform looks nothing like "something from the future". It looks like a throwback. The American uniforms have none of the pretentiousness shown by the German uniforms. They are combat uniforms meant for combat.

3. Bill says:
23 Dec 2014 05:33:20 PM

SURRENDER TERMS: CALLING THE SHOTS

The German officer asked the American, as an officer and gentlemen, what is your word on surrender terms. The American officer thinks for a second, and responds with.

Oh, I've given you no word. In my judgement you simply have no alternative.

4.  Bill says:
26 Dec 2014 10:37:09 AM

THE FATHERLAND'S MILITARY AWARDS:

Above file photo shows German soldier wearing various medals and awards. Sir looks like he's won a lot of prizes, and he's taking a one way ticket back to headquarters after the surrender.
Let's see what they are. He's been awarded the Iron Cross, badge to right of Iron Cross is the assault badge, below the Iron Cross is the wound badge awarded for wounds in action.

I can't identify the ribbons he's wearing, his field gray uniform is the M36 pattern with dark green collar and looks like he's been issued a pre M1943 steel helmet w/rolled over rim also at this late stage of the war, helmet eagle and tri color decals have long been deleted.
His rank looks like that of a captain I see two pips on his shoulder straps this offices serves with the (Heer) the German Army.

GI ISSUE:

Officer in center of photo, is a Major General showing two stars, stars also show upon his shoulder straps. M-1 helmet and what looks like a GI cold weather overcoat. I can't identify what rank the other officer is or what he's wearing.

SURRENDER PROTOCAL:

Is Major General Eddy accepting the surrender of
the German Captain, using the unidentified U.S. Officer as interpreter. Or is the General having the German surrender to an Officer of similar rank, and than accepts the enemy's surrender?

GI JOE:

No doubt the German Officer in above photograph carried a white flag so he could pass without harm through American lines, and speak to U.S. Officers. The Germans were obsessed with symbols of rank and awards on their uniforms, more than Allied troops were. The only other ones who wore medals on their combat uniforms were the Russians

I'm sure some surrenders were carried out and the German officer was surprised to learn that the GI he was talking to, turned out to be a officer, rather than a PFC.
The American GI wanted to get the job done, and go home. During my tours in Vietnam, I've seen officers who didn't ware their rank in the field
for obvious reasons. If I've missed anything post it here at ww2db.

5. Anonymous says:
28 Jun 2018 11:25:27 AM

Not a lot to say, the Germans had the sea to their backs surrender was obvious