Picture of the day

37patt said:
The white armband would be used to indicate the soldier was part of the truce that would have been in effect so the Germans could safely come over to discuss terms. The soldiers on both sides would respect the white armband or a white flag.
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The Germans in both wars had a habit of using white flags as a cover for sudden attacks, particularly grenade attacks since soldiers carrying those could leave their long arms behind and thus appear more like soldiers actually surrendering.

Brno8x57 said:
From the book mentioned in my earlier post, it was quite apparent that every Canadian general had strengths and weaknesses. Not all of their men reverred their leaders. There were lots of egos and lots of hurt feelings as generals got canned or shuffled aside.
That being said, the 2 names that were held in highest esteem in Granatstien's book were Guy Simonds and Bert Hoffmeister.
If I recall correctly, Hoffmeister was well respected by those under his command because he often showed up at or close to the sharp end to see for himself what was happening. Certainly a risk that many commanders would not take but one that made him a very effective leader and tactician.
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Worthington should have been one of them and would have been one of them. Guy Simonds later admitted he should not have pushed him out.
 
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I got to meet MGen Worthington who was the Father of the Armoured Corps during "Corps Weekend" at the RCAC School in Camp Borden in 1965. He was the reviewing officer for our parade and took the salute in a restored WW1 vintage MG carrier which was driven by one of his original soldiers from WW1. Its hard to believe that this was almost 52 years ago, but I remember this quite clearly. Col S.V. Radley-Walters was the School Commandant at the time and I got a memorable blast of $#### from him for an omission during another parade out in the field.
 
RRCo. said:
The Germans in both wars had a habit of using white flags as a cover for sudden attacks, particularly grenade attacks since soldiers carrying those could leave their long arms behind and thus appear more like soldiers actually surrendering.
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Interesting. Is there a source for this so I can read more about it or is it anecdotal from veterans? I know there is quite a bit of evidence of allies killing surrendering Germans but I have not come across the false surrender/grenade attack. It would be an interesting research topic.
 
God bless the French aircraft designers of the 1930s. Entirely fearless, they were. Here's the SNCASE SE.100.

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Check out the landing gear.

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That's a big-arsed main gear under the nose, with two wee outrigger/rear gear in the bottoms of the vertical stabilizers. Goofy!

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Lovely swoopy lookin' thing, ain't it?

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Two prototypes built. Damn shame they didn't make more. I think they're neat. :)
 
Old Albertan said:
Interesting. Is there a source for this so I can read more about it or is it anecdotal from veterans? I know there is quite a bit of evidence of allies killing surrendering Germans but I have not come across the false surrender/grenade attack. It would be an interesting research topic.
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He may be referring to 'The Guns of Navarrone", but then that's a movie.

Other than that, I'd be very interested in the sources of this information.
 
Old Albertan said:
Interesting. Is there a source for this so I can read more about it or is it anecdotal from veterans? I know there is quite a bit of evidence of allies killing surrendering Germans but I have not come across the false surrender/grenade attack. It would be an interesting research topic.
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An interesting question that was discussed in another forum - It was a common (and documented) Japanese tactic in the Pacific theater, not so of the Axis in the European theater.

https://www.quora.com/Are-there-any-examples-of-perfidy-in-WW2

Brookwood
 
I once saw a picture of a formation of surrendering Germans marching in to about four/five ranks deep, no small arms present but each soldier had a pair of stick grenades tied with string hung off the back of the neck. My understanding it was to deter any acts of aggression from locals/resistance on their passage to captivity .
 
German female prisoners of war outside their tented accommodation in a camp for SS, Luftwaffe and civilian women prisoners at Vilvoorde on the outskirts of Brussels.
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The matron does not appear pleased. One might think the next sentence out of her mouth would begin with the phrase "Right, you lot!" delivered at ear splitting volume and with many kicks in the arse.
 
Dark Alley Dan said:
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The matron does not appear pleased. One might think the next sentence out of her mouth would begin with the phrase "Right, you lot!" delivered at ear splitting volume and with many kicks in the arse.
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I don't see that at all.

I am reminded of a lady I knew who served in the BAOR in the 40s and 50s and remarked on the "tough little b-----s" who she worked with who had served on Herman Goering's train during the war.

We needn't go into the female concentration camp guards who the inmates often said were even more sadistic than the male guards.
 
Old Albertan said:
Interesting. Is there a source for this so I can read more about it or is it anecdotal from veterans? I know there is quite a bit of evidence of allies killing surrendering Germans but I have not come across the false surrender/grenade attack. It would be an interesting research topic.
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It's something you come across in veteran accounts from both wars. The Germans also repeatedly made use of Belgian and French civilians as human shields in WWI, and lot's of people still haven't forgotten what they got up to in WWII.
 
A friend of my mother's (also British) married a Brit REME officer and was in BAOR during the early '50's - she spoke of German women spitting at her while she was shopping. On the other hand my family was in Soest in the mid '50's (father was Cdn Army) and there was absolutely no apparent animousity. It was a wonderful place - in fact much better treatment of Canadian's in W Germany than in France fwiw. I have never heard of a Canadian soldier or their families stationed there that didnt enjoy the people and the country - most would give anything to return.
 
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