All of my relatives fought on German side, thank God all 27 survived the war, 21 are in Heaven, 6 still living in Germany. One was awarded the Ritterkreuz (Knights Cross) for valour. He knocked out 66 Russian tank, 125 guns, enemy fuel trucks in Kurland sector. He served with 11th SS-Freiwilligen Division "Nordland" in the Schwere Panzer Abteilung 503. This was one of the top combat formations of the war, they knocked out 890 Soviet tanks, lost 5 of their KonigsTigers.
of course, he was fighting the Reds, they invaded Estonia in 1940 along with Latvia and Lithuania, Stalin's NKVD raped, murdered, hundreds of thousands of Balts. Why do you think Putin is so hated in these former annexed o of Russia? Remember the Russians also murdered 16M Ukrainians in the 30s. Even your own Patton wanted to eliminate the horrible Stalin USSR, by launching "Operation Unthinkable" in July 45. And......Russia is till your enemy with 1000s of nukes aimed on US cities. Germans helped Truman "operation Paperclip" and got US to Moon first before Russia could do it. Would be nice if the POTUS could wise up to Putin's evil ambitions of Imperialistic dominance.
So you’re extremely proud of your Nazi ancestors just because they were fighting on the Russian front? Correct me if I’m mistaken.
Number one: They were not NAZIs they all hated Hitler and the Regime. They were drafted and fought to survive the war and live to see Peace. Also, none commited war crimes, they fought with honour and chivalry. And, they fought to keep the Reds from reaching Germany. But, also had some who served in Kreigsmarine (U-Boots) some Fallschrimjager (paratroopers) on Italian, Normandy Fronts, No one in Luftwaffe. There are always a few bad apples that commit atrocities sadly, like Calley Mai Lai, but most soldiers are honorable, esp. the ones decorated for bravery. The Russians fighting on Donbas front, 34K lost last week, most were decent guys/ gals, but badly trained, badly led, giving up their precious lives for an evil corrupt, kleptocrat (Putin) In Germany, the wehrmacht was very well trained, had the tools to win, were led by able Field Marshals, who had to follow the orders of an corrupt Regime led by an idiot who was bull headed and insane.
Yeah, whatever makes you sleep well at night. Not all German soldiers willingly signed up yet they all served Hitler or they were killed. You know that.
You are right, if someone refused to serve, they were imprisoned or worse. Probably at first, some signed up to join wehrmacht because they believed the propaganda. Most people do not want to fight a leaders stupid war, I for one would rather do lawncare and makes wads of $$$$ to buy nice toys and gold coins. My biggest phobia is pain and heights. And back to topic, none of my ancestors would have fought, if they did not have a choice in the matter, sadly they had no choice. So, presently, in the US, people are not forced to fight Trumps war in Iran, Russians also have option to sign a contract for a measely $2500US a month to be KIA. In Israel, service is mandatory, ditto N. Korea. However, if Putin runs out of manpower, He may order forced mobilization.
"The enemy of my enemy" Year 1526, two European powers France (Francois I) vs Holy Roman Empire (Karl V) Battle of Pavia. Francois made a alliance with Ottoman Sultan Sulieman I in 1523 However the Spanish/ German Army still routed the French at Pavia. Sulieman was preparing to march His army to lay siege too Vienna 1529. Had the Sultan marched in 1525, who knows? here is my coin , it was struck during the siege in 1529
