jazzeum
Four Star General
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 38,444
Over on Toy Soldier Chat, a British Tommy (Walter) shared some of his experiences from the Second World War. I thought I'd share some of his posts from over there, as it were.
***
Posted on January 14:
In reading through this thread, if that is what they are called, I noticed a level of excitement regarding the nature of war. The good, bad and the ugly. I have a story to tell, do we do that here on a toy soldier line? Most of my stories do not have happy endings but war doesn't make for many of those. Let me know. A friendly Tommy.
***
Posted on January 15:
Thank you Administrator for the note. I noticed the picture posted here of Hitler being executed by the American Military. A Just end to a war with Justice being served would make us all feel good. Now ponder the reality of the war through my eyes. In France, at the end of the war, a small village was being liberated from German occupation. A lorrie pulled up to inform us that several Germans were armed and waiting for our arrival in a basement at one end of town. After exchanging several rounds of gunfire, the Germans indicated their willingness to surrender. Under the Geneva Conventions, and as a British Officer, under a white flag, we had an agreement. Three Germans exited the building with their hands up and weapons down. A Frenchman came from behind them and stabbed the German officer and he collapsed to the ground. An American GI joe immediately shot and killed the Frenchman on the spot. I had no authority over the Americans and the war continued as a mortar exploded nearby. The Americans departed, the German officer survived with our medical attention and a French wife and children were fatherless. I personally enjoyed the Hitler picture because you can not underestimate the evil of conflict and there needs to be justice to be sure. I too have a tidy little group of British tommies made of lead, but not to play with but to remind me of war's character of the good, bad and the evil of it all. When my grandchildren ask me about the war I simply tell then about the bad food. A friendly Tommies story.
***
Posted on January 20:
There was a little more to the story. You may have read about this incident in one of the war rags published in the 70s. The American Joe that killed the Frenchman was under investigation for his role in the incident. The local Frenchies were not happy over this affair. I understand that the American was wounded some time later and shipped back to the US. That was probably the end to the affair. I had been interviewed by some news writters long after the incident. This particular story is hardly newsworthy. We held a captured German medical officer for almost two years for treating wounded Germans. Twice we exchanged prisoners, this was a privilege for both sides. A friendly Tommy here.
***
Posted on January 23:
Towards the end of the war we made of gift of himself to the Soviets. They were more than delighted to recieve him. He made wounderfull trade material. As the war wore down, we no longer had a need for him. He smoked all our cigarettes and never forgave us for his capture. Your friend Killroy there, should be listened to, there has been to much war. My bed awaits. A friendly Tommy here.
***
Posted on January 27:
This execution topic at the beginning of this story had to do with justice, war and lead soldiers. I only have 3 left from my childhood and they stand at attention next to my bible. What does one have to do with the other is my embarrassement. Both of you talk about the millions that paticipated in the war. I talk about the personal side of war of only one, me. One of my soldiers is an officer, standing straight and looking proud. Good for him I say. Yet he has no stories to tell or places to go. A frenchy girl came up to me and asked that I release a young german prisoner for her. They were young and in love was my thought. With no authority I agreeded and stripped him of his uniform and sent them on their way. The following day we found her dead, her hair removed and stripped naked in a hedgerow. You see, my storries have no happy endings and justice was served. My lead soldiers had no part in this story or any other so they remain guiltless and ready to play. Just another story from A friendly Tommy who needs some sleep.
***
Posted on January 30:
Remember that war is only authorized by the governments, but the nature of the war or the execution of it, is of a personal nature. As a British Officer I represented the Prime Minister or the authorized government conducting the war. As long as I was to be held accountable for my actions, I understood a moral obligation to conduct myself accordingly. The toy soldiers represent the pride and spirit of a moral restraint placed on the individual soldier called for in the conduct of a JUST war. We also see the spirit of sacrifice that may be called upon in the call to duty, honor and country. Also remember that the soldiers only duty is to protect the country and its citizens and if necessary by force. This use of force must be exercised by restraint. If not, dishoner will temper any actions achieved. My little toy soldiers are not troubled with any such problems. They stand with pride at attention and await the call to duty. A friendly Tommy here.
***
Posted on February 10:
I would like to take this occasion to inform all of you chaps that my father Walter has passed on 4 days ago. His time comunicating with you was most productive. You enabled him to render some of his emotions in a positive way about his war experiences. He had just begun to write down some of his experiences when he passed on. Once again thank you for being of service to him. Ralph Tommison.
***
Rest in peace Walter.
***
Posted on January 14:
In reading through this thread, if that is what they are called, I noticed a level of excitement regarding the nature of war. The good, bad and the ugly. I have a story to tell, do we do that here on a toy soldier line? Most of my stories do not have happy endings but war doesn't make for many of those. Let me know. A friendly Tommy.
***
Posted on January 15:
Thank you Administrator for the note. I noticed the picture posted here of Hitler being executed by the American Military. A Just end to a war with Justice being served would make us all feel good. Now ponder the reality of the war through my eyes. In France, at the end of the war, a small village was being liberated from German occupation. A lorrie pulled up to inform us that several Germans were armed and waiting for our arrival in a basement at one end of town. After exchanging several rounds of gunfire, the Germans indicated their willingness to surrender. Under the Geneva Conventions, and as a British Officer, under a white flag, we had an agreement. Three Germans exited the building with their hands up and weapons down. A Frenchman came from behind them and stabbed the German officer and he collapsed to the ground. An American GI joe immediately shot and killed the Frenchman on the spot. I had no authority over the Americans and the war continued as a mortar exploded nearby. The Americans departed, the German officer survived with our medical attention and a French wife and children were fatherless. I personally enjoyed the Hitler picture because you can not underestimate the evil of conflict and there needs to be justice to be sure. I too have a tidy little group of British tommies made of lead, but not to play with but to remind me of war's character of the good, bad and the evil of it all. When my grandchildren ask me about the war I simply tell then about the bad food. A friendly Tommies story.
***
Posted on January 20:
There was a little more to the story. You may have read about this incident in one of the war rags published in the 70s. The American Joe that killed the Frenchman was under investigation for his role in the incident. The local Frenchies were not happy over this affair. I understand that the American was wounded some time later and shipped back to the US. That was probably the end to the affair. I had been interviewed by some news writters long after the incident. This particular story is hardly newsworthy. We held a captured German medical officer for almost two years for treating wounded Germans. Twice we exchanged prisoners, this was a privilege for both sides. A friendly Tommy here.
***
Posted on January 23:
Towards the end of the war we made of gift of himself to the Soviets. They were more than delighted to recieve him. He made wounderfull trade material. As the war wore down, we no longer had a need for him. He smoked all our cigarettes and never forgave us for his capture. Your friend Killroy there, should be listened to, there has been to much war. My bed awaits. A friendly Tommy here.
***
Posted on January 27:
This execution topic at the beginning of this story had to do with justice, war and lead soldiers. I only have 3 left from my childhood and they stand at attention next to my bible. What does one have to do with the other is my embarrassement. Both of you talk about the millions that paticipated in the war. I talk about the personal side of war of only one, me. One of my soldiers is an officer, standing straight and looking proud. Good for him I say. Yet he has no stories to tell or places to go. A frenchy girl came up to me and asked that I release a young german prisoner for her. They were young and in love was my thought. With no authority I agreeded and stripped him of his uniform and sent them on their way. The following day we found her dead, her hair removed and stripped naked in a hedgerow. You see, my storries have no happy endings and justice was served. My lead soldiers had no part in this story or any other so they remain guiltless and ready to play. Just another story from A friendly Tommy who needs some sleep.
***
Posted on January 30:
Remember that war is only authorized by the governments, but the nature of the war or the execution of it, is of a personal nature. As a British Officer I represented the Prime Minister or the authorized government conducting the war. As long as I was to be held accountable for my actions, I understood a moral obligation to conduct myself accordingly. The toy soldiers represent the pride and spirit of a moral restraint placed on the individual soldier called for in the conduct of a JUST war. We also see the spirit of sacrifice that may be called upon in the call to duty, honor and country. Also remember that the soldiers only duty is to protect the country and its citizens and if necessary by force. This use of force must be exercised by restraint. If not, dishoner will temper any actions achieved. My little toy soldiers are not troubled with any such problems. They stand with pride at attention and await the call to duty. A friendly Tommy here.
***
Posted on February 10:
I would like to take this occasion to inform all of you chaps that my father Walter has passed on 4 days ago. His time comunicating with you was most productive. You enabled him to render some of his emotions in a positive way about his war experiences. He had just begun to write down some of his experiences when he passed on. Once again thank you for being of service to him. Ralph Tommison.
***
Rest in peace Walter.
