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Posted by earthwalker (Member # 4177) on December 12, 2018, 04:41 AM:
Watched a good story on PBS last night called the Ghost Army.
Started in WWII using dummy tanks, cannons even recorded
sounds of moving tanks like a whole battalion. Even had voices hollering telling people to move or put a cig out.
Some of the guys that were in this secret unit were still alive and were interviewed. Most of them were artist that could draw and they drew soldiers and civilians and so forth.
Amazing story how they deceived the German army at time to plug up holes before the real battalions could arrive like Patton and so forth.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 12, 2018, 06:19 AM:
The British have always been good at that stuff. Like the body that washed ashore with plans for the invasion, totally bogus. Even in the Falklands war, there was a story about British submarines in the area that prevented an Argentine invasion for fear of the ships being sunk, and there weren't any subs. Apparently, they had a whole army of balloon tanks and planes for Patton's invasion, which was many miles from the actual location. The deception was so good that Hitler held his Panzers in reserve at the location for weeks, when they could have been employed at Normandy. A bunch of sneaky bastards, no doubt!
Good hunting. El Bee,
Posted by earthwalker (Member # 4177) on December 12, 2018, 06:49 AM:
There was a 70 mile gap between Patton and they sent in these guys with the blow up tanks. They said they used dozers to make tracks in the ground so when the nazi's flew over it looked real.
It was a good story if you can find it watch you'll like it.
They did get hit one time and had 2 killed and something like 15 guys wounded. Most of the time they sat around waiting. They also said they were everywhere and traveled more than any division did.
Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on December 12, 2018, 02:25 PM:
Here another incredible true story of heroism, from WW2:
When you've got 4hrs, or so, to spare... WATCH THIS
It's part 1of 3: The Heroes Of Telemark
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on December 12, 2018, 07:05 PM:
Thanks for the tips EW and Leonard.
I just started reading a WWII book called the; "Coffin Corner" Story is about a B-17 crew that got shot down and had to evade the Germans.
Barely into it, and I'm not going to spoil anything here, but the lead pilot was 21 and on his first mission. The book mentions the astounding price of that time being $260,000 for the B-17. Early on in the war, only 1 out of 10 guys made the 25 mission mark where they could be released from further bombing runs.
Amazing to be that young, flying something like that, and knowing the odds were that steep against you.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 13, 2018, 06:43 PM:
My great uncle was in England in the run up to D-Day and told of how the allies were shuttling troops through at night but made certain that there was the same number around in the light of day to keep up the ruse for German spies that they knew were around. He was there for the balloon tanks and trucks and went ashore at Normandy on D-Day+1. Spent the next four months behind enemy lines as a forward observer for the field artillery unit he was assigned to. Only him and his radio man, counting German troops and radioing back that intel plus troop locations and locations of minefields. My brother has pics he took of bombed out houses and one of a German halftrack on its side with burned corpses hanging out of it. He spent most of the war in enemy territory, was in Bastogne as a forward observer, in Berlin during the bombing running up to the troops invading there. Had a list of all the different European cities and countries he snuck through on foot - is like a where's where of where not to be in Europe in the early '40's. How he didn't have a purple heart, I don't know. He was 6'4" tall and had to stand out a bit. Never got a scratch.
I know I've mentioned this book before, but a great read is "D-Day Through German Eyes". Both books 1 and 2 come in the same printed volume. Interviews with German veterans of D-Day. Being 3/4 German, I'd always wondered how "my people" could go along with such atrocities. This book explained it to me - the German civilians were being told that we were trying to invade Europe to rob it of its resources and they honestly believed that they were defending France and Europe from total destruction by American Imperialists.
Interestingly, one guy interviewed said the most frightening thing he recalled from D-Day was the Americans coming ashore and the realization that there were no horses - that America had mechanized their entire military. At that point, he knew Deutschland was beat. He said that they feared American soldiers because our men were bigger, stronger, and more intimidating than any other country's military personnel.
We have the Eisenhower Presidential Library here in Abilene. I deliver their mail every day. Neat stuff from all manner of spooky alphabet agencies. Anyway, I suggested they get that book and the director of the visitor's center and gift shop came out from the back and said they'd just gotten it, he was halfway through it and it was the most interesting book he'd read in years.
I have my great uncle's Bronze Star and flag sitting on my desk in front of me right now. He was awarded the BS for "bravery", "courage in the face of enemy fire" and for "bringing accurate fire upon enemy forces". His dog tags are hanging there, too.
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on December 14, 2018, 05:51 AM:
Lance I am a German too I could not understand it either now with the complicit media I am beginning to get it !
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 14, 2018, 08:38 AM:
Holds hand up, Hey fellas, don't forget, except for the name I'm half German myself. Quarter French and quarter polish. European, basically although they tell me I cold easily pass for Arian.
I have read dozens of history books about the Second World War. Interesting subject.
Good hunting. El Bee
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