I've got an 88mm Flak 38 casing that unfortunately was cut down to be made into trench art by someone. I would kill just to have it in an unaltered state. These pieces really bring things into perspective. I've also got a 105mm and 106mm recoilless rifle round, massive things that my Father used to shoot off the back of a jeep when he was in the 32nd Infantry Division (Red Arrow Division).
It's very cool that you're getting your Grandson interested in these things. It's how I developed a love for military history too!
Regards,
Eric.
"You can always tell a German, you just can't tell him much." Anonymous.
German cars, German girls, German beer, German firearms, German Shepherds, German motorcycles... Not necessarily in that order though!
As a lad I have no idea why I was so obsessed by it all back then. My father, and uncles, plus their friends only spoke about some humorous times.
And how easy it was to help the American soldiers part with their money by playing cards.
The only real story I knew back then was that my father officially missed his ship sailing, and it was sunk, with only one survivor. Since then, I've discovered that happened twice to him, but I want to find out if I can confirm that.
And my uncle's story. I know he escaped twice from prison camps, but from what I was told as a child, he escaped more times than that, but I find that hard to believe. Anyway, the last time he escaped, a Polish family hid him, and after the war ended, he married the daughter.
Mick - The grit in the underpants of life! Always happy to spare the bytes Apparently my mind works in mysterious ways
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Oh, and as my father was in the royal artillery in north Africa, only transferring to naval convoy support vessels after Rommel was defeated. Plus I'm into the fireflies. It doubles the interest to have 17 pounder shells
And my grandson understands the connection, and finds it rather cool.
Mick - The grit in the underpants of life! Always happy to spare the bytes Apparently my mind works in mysterious ways
TOTM needs YOU support YOUR TOTM competition, I'm doing my part, are YOU?
Jimster wrote:Hopefully good luck runs in your family. I wish I had spoken more with my grandpa about his experiences.
Thanks Jim. Yes, now as an adult, I feel I missed out big time.
As for luck, my father's father was in the print. And therefore missed any military service during the first world war.
Mick - The grit in the underpants of life! Always happy to spare the bytes Apparently my mind works in mysterious ways
TOTM needs YOU support YOUR TOTM competition, I'm doing my part, are YOU?