Germans in the Woods

[Danny Tanner]

I've posted this before, but after sharing this video with somebody yesterday that has never seen it, let alone heard of Story Corps, it made me want to share it again.

Joseph Robertson was an infantryman in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. The stark black and white images in this short haunt the viewer, just as Robertson is haunted by his memories from that battle.

Story Corps is an awesome project with many interesting stories. You can check out the rest of their videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/storycorps

"Germans in the Woods" is my absolutely favorite. The pain and guilt in this man's voice speaks for itself. Very humbling.

[indi]

Thanks for sharing.

[ronny]

Yeah!

[Popjim]

Great story and video, thanks!

[cfw2000]

I have a client who could tell a fascinating story. He’s a farmer in Cashion. A tall, lanky unassuming man born and raised in Oklahoma. He’s in his nineties now. Come to find out, he was a B-17 pilot and flew 35 missions over Germany in 1944/45. I didn’t know it until I was visiting with him in his house a while back and I commented on some WWII memorabilia I spotted on the wall. When he completed his 35th mission, he was given the choice of signing up for 35 more, training new pilots in England or flying supplies and fuel to Patton’s troops. He knew back then what his survival rate was and he didn’t want to train new pilots because he knew many of them would never make it back. So he flew cargo in and flew injured soldiers back to England for the rest of the war. When I left his house, he told me to drive by the VFW (or American Legion) hall, I can’t remember which, and see the huge mural on the side of the building. The painting of the B-17 bomber was the one he flew over Germany. And, he said the painting of the WWI soldier in the mural was his older brother who is MIA somewhere in Belgium. What a story.

[3inSlugger]

Dang Danny, that was haunting.

[ronny]

Several years ago, when one of my Uncles died, another of my Uncles (his Brother) and I were going through his stuff. We came across a small box containing his military papers and medals. They had been attacked by mildew and were in terrible condition. However, there was one small piece of paper, about 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches which had been torn out of a little note pad. There were words on it in his own handwriting which said all that needed to be said about his experience in WWll.



He never talked to me about his experiences and his Brother said he never really talked to him.

[mightymouse]

"It is a good thing that war is hell, for otherwise, men would enjoy it too much."