I’m Alive Thanks To A Nazi
- April 18, 2004
- 14 comments
I learned something the other night that really made me stop and think. I am alive and breathing right now because of a Nazi sniper. I only just learned some of this in the last few days. Why my dad never mentioned it before, I’m not sure, but I’m glad he did. We were watching Band of Brothers (which is amazing and a must-see), and I asked my dad if his dad was in WWII. And he was.
I hardly know anything about my paternal grandfather. My dad didn’t get to know him well either because he died when my dad was young on June 8, 1953 in Havana, Cuba. He died of asphyxiation while working in a big storage tank.
Before that, my grandfather fought in WWII in the 5th Armored Division “Victory”, 46th Armored Infantry Battalion. At least I believe he was in the 46th. I’m doing more research into it, but I’m almost 100% sure that’s correct. He was an expert with the M1 Garand, the M1 Carbine and the BAR. He was also good with the Thompson sub-machine gun.
He fought in several battles, but his tour ended when he was shot in the back by a Nazi sniper during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. His injuries were bad enough that it bought him a ticket home on the hospital ship Wisteria. Shortly after he was shot, the rest of his company went on patrol and all of them were killed.
Knowing something like that really makes you stop and think. If that Nazi sniper would’ve never shot him, my dad, me and my sisters wouldn’t be around. Even if the sniper would’ve only slightly injured him, he would’ve rejoined his company in time to be killed. That one bullet from that sniper hitting him where it did meant the difference of me being here or not. It really gets you thinking.
When I learn more about my grandfather, I’ll post more. He’s certainly an interesting character.
Russ
April 18, 2004
Ed Esteban
September 22, 2004
Paul
January 29, 2005
You can’t compare the Nazi movement with the Greenies or Democrats. There are no Ted Kennedy’s Youth. The Greenies haven’t risen to almost total control of the government within a few short years, like the Nazis did. The Greenies don’t have the popular support that the Nazis did. Neither do the Dems or Republicans.
While I agree that not all German soldiers were Nazis, its ideals were hammered into its people and especially its soldiers early on. The working class and the unemployed were especially enthralled with the ideals, and they formed a large percentage of the Nazi war machine. It’s pretty safe to say that the soldier who shot my grandfather was most likely a Nazi.
Jake Schiffner
April 5, 2005
You got to think though that even if that German was a Nazi he was no worse shooting your grandfather than your grand father shooting a German Soldier.
For example I had a family member who fought in the 6th Army at At stalingrad against the russians and he did not have any grudges against them they were jusy professionls doing their jobs.
Kyle loudoun
April 11, 2005
paul
April 11, 2005
Roger
August 31, 2006
Erich Junker
November 28, 2007
Damn.. what was your dad doing holding onto all that information? All I knew was what day he was born, what day he died (and where he died), and that he was in WWII. This is all very amazing information.
Grandmother told me several different times an interesting and spine tingling story about the day he was shot. I suppose I’ll have to share it someday.
Thanks for posting that Chris!