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The pro-German veteran
10 years ago
Am I the Soviet assassin bat! Hear my mighty squeak!
Was at work early today (11 July), setting up my department for a sale that would start up at 2pm. Around 10am, a man in his 80s came in and asked me questions regarding him moving his granddaughter and her items to Louisville, mainly how to handle and cover up her furniture with the recent storms Kentucky has been receiving.
After answering his questions, he made it known he was a US Air Force veteran from many years ago. I mentioned that I was current US Army, and we began to talk about military stuff.
He had an accent that I never pinpointed at first, but he said he was raised in Hungary as a child in the 1930s and 40s. He talked about how he witnessed World War II begin and eventually come to his front door as the Red Army moved through Eastern and Central Europe.
To my surprise, he said his family actively fought and supported German forces against the Soviets. He said that they were anti-Hitler though, realizing Hitler was a racist imperialist tyrant. But why would they fight for Germany? He said they were afraid of the Soviet Union and what would happen if they ever attacked. Germany, despite its evils at the time, was the lesser of two evils and seen as their only protection against Stalin. Even before the German invasion of the USSR in 1941, they feared the Soviets would attack them.
I took this as a lesson that, while politicians and elite have their own desires and goals in war, the common people have completely other reasons to fight. As a soldier myself, I admit this is true too. I didn't enlist because I agree with the greedy desires of Washington DC, but because I want to protect my people. Sadly, people a century from now will say I fought for greedy desires, but I don't care.
After answering his questions, he made it known he was a US Air Force veteran from many years ago. I mentioned that I was current US Army, and we began to talk about military stuff.
He had an accent that I never pinpointed at first, but he said he was raised in Hungary as a child in the 1930s and 40s. He talked about how he witnessed World War II begin and eventually come to his front door as the Red Army moved through Eastern and Central Europe.
To my surprise, he said his family actively fought and supported German forces against the Soviets. He said that they were anti-Hitler though, realizing Hitler was a racist imperialist tyrant. But why would they fight for Germany? He said they were afraid of the Soviet Union and what would happen if they ever attacked. Germany, despite its evils at the time, was the lesser of two evils and seen as their only protection against Stalin. Even before the German invasion of the USSR in 1941, they feared the Soviets would attack them.
I took this as a lesson that, while politicians and elite have their own desires and goals in war, the common people have completely other reasons to fight. As a soldier myself, I admit this is true too. I didn't enlist because I agree with the greedy desires of Washington DC, but because I want to protect my people. Sadly, people a century from now will say I fought for greedy desires, but I don't care.
I can't say I'd have sided with the soviets, either.
The Cold War in America was scary enough at times, but I can imagine it was far worse for those living in Central and Eastern Europe before and during the war.
Got to play more games again too. I got a new computer, done with training, and active on Steam again finally.
Also, yeah man, WWII was quite a brutal affair the more you read into it. Though it is fascinating that essentially every conflict in the history of mankind was usually accompanied by mass rape. I'd imagine that essentially most people who have ever lived found it to be a deplorable act, but there's just something dehumanizing about the Hellish reality of war that brings out the worst we have to offer.
I agree with you and it's a very scary idea too. I can assume it's the thought that the enemy is lesser and not as human, so the act of mass slaughter and rape doesn't make them feel as bad compared to someone doing it in peacetime. Plus, as I've heard in documentaries about Hitler in WW1, war allows people to bring out that worst and get away with it most of the time.
And yes, the Red Army was terrifying and just as brutal. It was war after all.