Vietnam War Veterans

Vietnam War Veterans Vietnam war memories

The grave and simple wooden marker of an unknown British soldier at Thiepval, seen in September 1916. The cross reads 'R...
03/05/2026

The grave and simple wooden marker of an unknown British soldier at Thiepval, seen in September 1916. The cross reads 'R.I.P. In Memory of an Unknown British Soldier Found & Buried 25.11.15'

In July 1941, the German Fallschirmjäger stationed in Halberstadt, a garrison town in the Harz region, were honoured wit...
03/05/2026

In July 1941, the German Fallschirmjäger stationed in Halberstadt, a garrison town in the Harz region, were honoured with a celebratory Blumenparade - a “flower parade” held in recognition of their recent airborne victories.

At this time, the Fallschirmjäger were still regarded as elite shock troops and national heroes, having earned a formidable reputation during the early stages of the war.

The parade took place only weeks after the conclusion of the Battle of Crete (May–June 1941), the largest airborne invasion in history and one of the most costly German victories. Despite devastating losses, the paratroopers’ success in capturing the island was heavily publicised by the N*zi regime as proof of their courage and tactical innovation.

Sergeant Joe Lobit, a paratrooper of the 13th Airborne and veteran of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, is pictured...
03/05/2026

Sergeant Joe Lobit, a paratrooper of the 13th Airborne and veteran of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, is pictured with a group of German knives he collected while serving in Germany during the closing months of the war. The photograph was taken in August 1945 at Camp Pittsburg in France, an embarkation camp where soldiers awaited transport home.

Colourised PIECE of JAKE

Two German soldiers read a newspaper before using it for another purpose....
01/28/2026

Two German soldiers read a newspaper before using it for another purpose....

Göring’s Mercedes Benz 540K, fitted with an armoured body and bulletproof glass, photographed at Berchtesgaden, Germany....
01/28/2026

Göring’s Mercedes Benz 540K, fitted with an armoured body and bulletproof glass, photographed at Berchtesgaden, Germany. At the wheel are First Sergeant Owen E. Henderson and First Lieutenant James Cox, both of C Company, 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division.

On 4 May 1945, the 101st Airborne Division, the “Screaming Eagles”, liberated Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps and took possession of this armoured 1937 Mercedes Benz 540K Spezial Roadster, which had been custom built for Göring. The vehicle was one of the most lavish staff cars produced by Mercedes, combining luxury with heavy protection for one of the Third Reich’s most senior figures.

Following its capture, Major General Maxwell Taylor used the Mercedes as his personal command car while serving in Germany. The vehicle was later requisitioned by the United States Treasury Department and shipped to Washington DC, where it became the centrepiece of a nationwide Victory War Bond fundraising tour. The tour proved extremely successful, with the car’s N*zi associations drawing large crowds.

In 1956, the US Army auctioned the Mercedes at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, where it was sold to Jacques Tunick of Greenwich, Connecticut, for a high bid of 2,167 dollars. Two years later, Tunick sold the car to veterinarian Dr George Bitgood Jr, who repainted it black and had the chrome replated. Bitgood kept the car largely private, displaying it publicly only once, at the 1973 county fair in Durham, Connecticut.

After Dr Bitgood’s death, the car, nicknamed “Blue Goose”, was shown by his family at the 101st Airborne Reunion at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in June 2002. It was later sold to Carnlough International Limited of Guernsey, under the condition that it be restored to its original “as found” Berchtesgaden appearance.

In July 1941, the German Fallschirmjäger stationed in Halberstadt, a garrison town in the Harz region, were honoured wit...
01/28/2026

In July 1941, the German Fallschirmjäger stationed in Halberstadt, a garrison town in the Harz region, were honoured with a celebratory Blumenparade - a “flower parade” held in recognition of their recent airborne victories.

At this time, the Fallschirmjäger were still regarded as elite shock troops and national heroes, having earned a formidable reputation during the early stages of the war.

The parade took place only weeks after the conclusion of the Battle of Crete (May–June 1941), the largest airborne invasion in history and one of the most costly German victories. Despite devastating losses, the paratroopers’ success in capturing the island was heavily publicised by the N*zi regime as proof of their courage and tactical innovation.

The flower parade in Halberstadt was part of this propaganda celebration - an event designed to boost morale, reward survivors, and present a triumphant image to the German civilian population.

During the festivities, Fallschirmjäger units marched through the decorated streets while crowds greeted them with flowers, garlands, and cheers. Soldiers were photographed riding in open vehicles or marching with bouquets pinned to their uniforms, symbolising public admiration and gratitude.

Many of the men taking part were veterans of Norway, the Low Countries, and Crete, though the losses in Crete meant that some units had been reorganized with fresh recruits.

Halberstadt itself was a significant Luftwaffe and paratrooper training hub, home to airfields, supply depots, and reserve units. Events like this parade were also intended to maintain local support for the military presence and reinforce the image of the Fallschirmjäger as an elite, almost mythologised force.

Ironically, the flower parade occurred at the peak of their public glory: after the costly lessons of Crete, Hi**er forbade large-scale airborne operations.

From 1942 onward, the paratroopers increasingly served as elite infantry rather than true airborne assault troops.

On 31 December 1942, in a moment of mutual respect and camaraderie, Korvettenkapitän Hans Cohausz, the commander of the ...
01/28/2026

On 31 December 1942, in a moment of mutual respect and camaraderie, Korvettenkapitän Hans Cohausz, the commander of the 11th U-Boat Flotilla, welcomed Kapitänleutnant Heinz Bielfeld, the commander of U-703, aboard at the naval port of Bergen, Norway.

U-703 continued its operations through early 1943 but was eventually sunk on 7 May 1943 during a confrontation with Allied forces in the Atlantic, ending its brief but significant service in the German U-boat campaign.

Captured German soldiers of the 9th $$ Division Hohenstaufen, captured by paratroopers of the 1st British Airborne Divis...
01/28/2026

Captured German soldiers of the 9th $$ Division Hohenstaufen, captured by paratroopers of the 1st British Airborne Division in Arnhem, Netherlands. In the background are gliderborne troops,, from left to right: Sergeant Joe Kitchener, "Duffy" Edwards, and George Milburn.

Down the road I saw a German chap with a camera and a huge grin on his face and I thought what a b*****d and gave him th...
01/28/2026

Down the road I saw a German chap with a camera and a huge grin on his face and I thought what a b*****d and gave him the opposite ‘V’ sign’. Lt. Jack Reynolds: He was famously photographed after being taken prisoner during the Battle of Arnhem.

In the photo, he is seen giving the “two-fingered” salute to the German photographer. The British hand gesture is an offensive gesture similar to the middle finger in other countries.

He said: “I was so angry at the loss of fine young men and the carnage. Down the road I saw a German chap with a camera and a huge grin on his face and I thought what a b*****d and gave him the opposite ‘V’ sign’.

The Chrysler A57 Multibank is a 30-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1,253 cubic inches (20.5 litres ), developed i...
11/23/2025

The Chrysler A57 Multibank is a 30-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1,253 cubic inches (20.5 litres ), developed in 1941 as the United States entered World War II.

This powerplant is composed of five groups of inline-six engines, typically found in civilian automobiles, to achieve the 370 horsepower required to propel the M3 and M4 tanks.

Private John Steele likely never envisioned himself dangling from a church steeple as part of the effort to free France,...
11/21/2025

Private John Steele likely never envisioned himself dangling from a church steeple as part of the effort to free France, yet that's exactly where he found himself.

A mannequin of Pvt. Steele adorns the church at Sainte-Mère-Église. It is a must photograph for anyone who visits the town square.

He actually landed the other side of the church but the mannequin was placed this side as a tourist attraction. John had already jumped into Sicily, and in Italy. He jumped again during Operation Market Garden.

November 1942, a battle-hardened German soldier in Stalingrad is seen wearing the German Infantry Assault Badge. This im...
11/21/2025

November 1942, a battle-hardened German soldier in Stalingrad is seen wearing the German Infantry Assault Badge.

This image captures a moment from one of the most brutal and pivotal battles of WW2.

The Battle of Stalingrad, which lasted from August 1942 to February 1943, was a key turning point in the war on the Eastern Front, with intense urban combat and heavy losses on both sides.

The German Infantry Assault Badge was awarded to soldiers who participated in at least three assault actions, usually involving close-quarters combat or storming enemy positions.

Address

New York, NY

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Vietnam War Veterans posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category