HFOTD: 29 May 1798

On this day in history in 1798 nearly 500 United Irishmen are killed in a conflict against the British in County Kildare. This is one of the many battles the United Irishmen fought during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The rebellion lasted from May until September. The United Irishmen who rebelled were influenced by the French and American revolutions, the latter having won against the British only a few short years before.

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! I hope we all can put aside the great shopping deals, the hot dogs, and copious amounts of liquor to remember the true meaning of this day: honoring and remembering those that sacrificed themselves so we could have freedoms that other countries cannot. Thank a serviceman or woman for their sacrifice. History is full of men and women who sacrificed their lives to do the right thing or to protect our freedoms and we only remember a small percentage of them. Today is their day...to remember them. So take a few minutes to memorialize the today...

....then crack open a beer (or several), turn on BAND OF BROTHERS (on SpikeTV), eat a hot dog, and go find some deals(I hear Kohls is having a sale...Hah)!

BBC premier's documentary: Hitler's Children

The BBC premiered their new documentary this week in England entitled "Hitler's Children". Their last names make us shudder: Goering, Hoess, Goeth, Frank. These men committed numerous acts of violence against the people of Europe and the world. The BBC takes a look at the lives of their children. What has their Fathers' legacy left them? Denial for some, not wanting to forget for others. Monika Hertwig, the daughter of the animalistic, sadistic Amon Goeth, commandant of Plaszow Concentration Camp and depicted in Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List did not know what her Father had done until she was nearly a teenager. She has since tried to learn more about the Holocaust and even travelled back to where Plaszow once stood just outside of Krakow, Poland and met with several survivors. Then there is Niklas Frank, the youngest child of Hans Frank, who at one time held the title of Governor-General of Poland. He has written a book and travels around speaking to students on his Father and the evil that came with him and his colleagues. He understands that people are sick of being reminded of the Holocaust and of the atrocities committed by Hitler, his Father, and their friends, but Niklas is determined to educate. Education seems to play a big role for the children of Nazi leaders. They felt lied to since many were not the man they were accused of being when they were at home. Others understand that their Fathers were rotten to the core.

It is a riveting and emotional journey that is sure to leave those that want to hate them for who their Fathers were, sympathizing with the life that many have had to face.


To watch a clip of the documentary click here. Or for articles from the BBC and The Telegraph about the documentary click here or here.

HFOTD: 28 May 1940

On this day in 1940,  the eighteen day war that the Germans fought with the Belgian army came to a close when the Belgians surrendered. The Battle of Belgium marked a milestone in the early stages of the war when both sides would engage in a tank battle. The little ground that the Allies had been able to secure in Europe was quickly broken and they, especially the British retreated. Belgium would play a large role towards the end of the war in December 1944 when the American and German armies would face off in the Ardennes, the outcome of the Battle of the Bulge would determine whether or not the Germans would regain their hypothetical footing. In the end the Americans were victorious and five months later the war in Europe would be over.

To view a German newsreel depicting the Battle of Belgium click here.

Tourist Sieg Heil's at Auschwitz

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that a tourist gave the Nazi salute at Auschwitz...last week? Dumbass. Second thing? Ignorance. It was reported last week that two tourists were seen on security camera walking up to the entrance of the notorious death camp and giving the Nazi salute to the "arbeit macht frei" sign that hangs over the entrance to the camp. The offending tourists were kicked out of the museum and the police have gotten involved. Here's a little known fact for all of you "comedians" and skinheads from other countries: in Poland, such activities and any act of fascism can have you facing up to two years in prison for each offense. Let's all be adults here, people. You don't see us going to visit Hitler's precious Eagle's Nest and peeing on it do you? Gosh, you'd think after seventy years people would have more respect, even if they did not fully appreciate or belief the history that took place in a place like Auschwitz.

Click here for the article from Polska Radio.

Mein Kampf-- is Germany REALLY ready to have it released countrywide?

It was announced this week via German news source, DER SPIEGEL, that the banned work of ex-dictator Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, would be released to the German public. One German historian went so far as to say a way of describing the reasons to the rest of the world were that they were disarming the fuse of Mein Kampf's bomb. The Historian continues that it is a great source of understanding and studying Hitler's future policies that would become notorious when he became chancellor in 1933. Yes, I'm sure we're all quite aware of his policies by this point. I can understand wanting to release the book for scholarly research and students studying Hitler's agenda during his reign, but why fully release it to the public? In a world where anti-Semitism and Neo-Nazi movements are on the rise, not just in Germany, but all over the world, why add flame to the already billowing fire?

This book, which was once given out to every newly wed German couple, acted as a great propaganda tool for anyone who could stay awake to read it. Hitler, who may have thought he sounded like a great and powerful potential leader was probably one of the driest writers of the 20th century. Perhaps that is why the world was taken by surprise when Hitler slowly snuck that whole killing people who didn't agree with him or were different then his idea of the perfect 'Aryan', because no one could last more than a couple of pages without needing several pots of strong coffee or a good stimulant, like meth (der fuehrer's stimulant of choice). It is confusing to understand why now is the perfect time to release Mein Kampf now and five months ago when a publishing house wanted to publish it the German court system banned the distribution for at least thirty-six months. What has changed in that short amount of time?

To read the the Der Spiel article click here, to read the CNN article about continuing the ban click here, or to read an excerpt from Mein Kampf click here.

HFOTD: 27 May 1942

On this day in 1942, notorious Nazi, Reinhard Heydrich is assassinated in Prague. Seeing as he was one of those that helped plan and execute the Holocaust and was the leader of the Gestapo, the exiled Czechoslovakian government wanted him dead. The two would-be assassins were trained by British forces and were waiting for Heydrich in Prague when his open-top car passed by. Though he was mortally wounded, he would not die until June 2nd, and not from the wounds he sustained in the assassin, but from infection from conflicting ideas of his medical team.

For information on Heydrich click here, for the CIA report click here, or for a book on the assassination click here.

Why you should always do research before becoming a skinhead...

Olga and Pawel. Love at first sight...or so they claimed. Perhaps it was more of a love at first beat down kind of thing instead?

Even in today's Poland, people are anxious to A: forget about the horrors that took place during the Holocaust. (I once had a person in Krakow ask me why I studied the Holocaust because it was in the past and there was no reason to keep dwelling on it.) and, B: minorities are still not as greatly accepted as they may have been before the war.

Olga and Pawel....neo-Nazi lovers. Or so they thought. Something that Olga's mother said about Jewish ancestry finally made her do some research, only to discover that both her and Pawel had Jewish roots. Today, they look as normal as any other young Polish couple walking down the streets of Warsaw. Pawel even spends time in the synagogue learning the Torah.

What does this story teach us? Hmmm...besides the obvious that even in today's world, the Nazi hatred is still running wild with Neo-Nazi and Ku Klux Klan movements. It also shows that many European Jews may not know they are actually Jewish. This story is enlightening. It makes you feel good to know that two Neo-Nazis were able to take a step back and re-do their lifestyle choices that didn't play into the hate of their fellow skinheads.

For the article click here, or for the CNN video click here.

HFOTD: 26 May 1868

On this day in 1868, American President Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial ends. The result is he is found not guilty by ONE vote. The Radical politicians that emerged after the end of the Civil War and the beginning of reconstruction thought that Johnson would be in line with their beliefs and ideals of the treatment of the South. However, Johnson was not in favor of some of the strict and harsh laws that they wanted to set forth which was one of the reasons they called for his impeachment.


For more information on Andrew Johnson click here, or for more on his impeachment click here.

German Physicians off the hook for Holocaust contributions?

It was announced yesterday that the German Medical Association finally apologized for the acts committed by doctors and scientists during the war. In the article it states that "the German doctors said they remember the living and deceased victims and their descendants and ask them for forgiveness". Call me crazy, but the doctors of the present are not the ones that actually committed any act of violence against a person during the Holocaust. Should the apology by accepted?

It is hard to look at this supposed apology and be eager to forgive them. After all, it was not just people like Josef Mengele who were experimenting on inmates at Auschwitz and Dachau. There was the Eugenics movement that got the ball rolling for the "Jewish question", which ultimately turned into the Final Solution.  Though the SS carried out a good majority of the murders that took place during the Holocaust, scientists were eager to further their scientific endeavors by experimenting on inmates without much research. Would those scientists really be sorry today, or are today's scientists just eager to try to push aside the world's negative view on German scientists.

Click here for the full article.

Band of Brothers revisited: the Men of Easy Company

Every Memorial Day weekend, I seem to reflect on those that are no longer with us. Like I've mentioned before I watch Band of Brothers, but I've gotten questions of who the men depicted in the 10-part miniseries are. I've gathered some information and helpful hints to help you all out with that question.

Maj. Dick Winters

(1918-2011)

After the war, Winters went on to work at Lewis Nixon's family business and was called up for duty during the Korean War. He went on to work as a supervisor in New Jersey.

Further reading:

Wikipedia

Major Winter's Website

Books on his war experiences:

Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters

Biggest Brother: The Life of Major Dick Winters, the man who led the Band of Brothers

TSgt. Don Malarkey

(1921-  )

After the war, Malarkey returned to school at the University of Oregon. After graduation, he became a sales manager at a car company. Though he is now retired, he continues to travel around speaking to groups on his experiences during the war.

Further reading:

Wikipedia

Facebook

Books on War Experiences:

Easy Company Soldier: The Legendary Battles of a Sergeant from World War II's "Band of Brothers"

Capt. Lewis Nixon

(1918-1995)

After the war, Nixon worked at his family's company in New Jersey with Dick Winters. After he married for the third time he finally got his life together and quit drinking.

Further Reading:

Wikipedia

2nd Lt. Carwood Lipton

(1920-2001)

After the war, Lipton enrolled at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia and graduated with a degree in Engineering. He moved around throughout the United States, London, and Scotland for his work. Retiring in California.

Further Reading:

Wikipedia

Obituary

Medic Eugene Roe

(1921-1998)

Not much is known about Roe after the war other than he become a construction contractor.

Further Reading:

Wikipedia

SSergeant Darrell "Shifty" Powers

(1932-2009)

In BoB we see the men of Easy rigging a lottery for men who didn't have enough points to go home so Shifty could go. After he won, he was headed to the airfield to fly home when the car he was riding in was involved in a bad collision. After the war he went to work for Clinchfield Coal Corporation and worked as a machinist.

Further Reading:

Wikipedia

Obituary

Books on War Experience:

Shifty's War: The Authorized Biography of Sergeant Darrell "Shifty" Powers, the Legendary Sharpshooter from the Band of Brothers

SSergeant Denver "Bull" Randleman

(1920-2003)

After the war, Randleman worked as a service manager. He would later become a successful construction contractor.

Further Reading:

Wikipedia

News Article

Sergeant George Luz

(1921-1998)

After the war, Luz returned to to Rhode Island and married wife, Del. He worked as a maintenance consultant.

Further Reading:

Wikipedia

Sergeant Frank Perconte

(1917-  )

After the war, Perconte returned to Joiliet, Illinois and worked as a postman. He has been active in telling his story of his time during the war.

Further Reading:

Wikipedia

Bio

1st Lt. Lynn "Buck" Compton

(1921-2012)

After the war, Buck went to law school and became lawyer in 1946. He later went on to join the Los Angeles District Attorney's office and was the lead prosecutor of Sirhan Sirhan, who was accused of murdering Robert F. Kennedy.

Further Reading:

Wikipedia

Obituary

Book on War Experience:

Call of Duty: My Life Before, During, and After the Band of Brothers

SSergeant William "Wild Bill" Guarnere

(1923 -  )

After the war, Guarnere was given full disability, working odds 'n' end type jobs. He became active in various veteran associations and now helps put together the Easy Company reunion.

Further Reading:

Wikipedia

Personal Website

Lt. Col. Ronald Speirs

(1920-2007)

After the war, Speirs decided to continue to serve in the military. He went on to serve in the Korean War. In the late 1950's he was appointed as the governor of Spandau Prison in Berlin, where prominent Nazi officials like Hermann Goerring resided during the Nuremberg Trials.

Further Reading:

Wikipedia

Obituary

Pfc. David Kenyon Webster

(1922-1961)

After the war Webster worked as a reporter. He published his memoirs of his wartime experience a few years after the war ended.

Further Reading:

Wikipedia

Personal Website

Books on War Experience:

Parachute Infantry: An American Paratrooper's Memoir of D-Day and the Fall of the Third Reich

*Most pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Memorial Day's approaching: Top 10 war movies

Like many others, I like to bring out the war movies during the Memorial Day weekend. While other's are spending their weekends enjoying a six pack...or twelve on the beach. I am enjoying my thousandth viewing of HBO's Band of Brothers....with a beer or two. Without further ado...here's my top 10 list.

1. Band of Brothers  and  The Pacific --> It's a tie!

BoB set the precedent for war movies for my generation. It focused not just on the cool special effects, but the actual lives of men who lived and fought in Europe. The Pacific, on the other hand dug even deeper into the lives of marines in the Pacific Theatre. Some said they were unimpressed because there weren't that many action scenes. That is because you got to experience what the soldiers got to experience. Some days were full of action and others were full of sitting around lost in their own emotional struggles.

2. Saving Private Ryan

Spielberg's 1997 Award winner is most remembered for the opening sequence as the Allied force invaded Normandy. I have walked the beaches in Normandy and have spoken with men who survived the invasion, and Spielberg used what he learned to apply it to making a credible movie that could authentically depict June 1944. Plus, you get to see a young Matt Damon.

3. Letters from Iwo Jima (Japanese)

Clint Eastwood made this film and Flags of our Fathers back to back. Though I loved Flags of our Fathers, you get to experience a side that many films do not depict: the Japanese. Though the movie is filmed in Japanese with English subtitles, the experience is one you will never forget.

4. Der Untergang (German)

Another foreign film. This one tells the story of Hitler's bunker in the final days of the war told mostly through the eyes of Hitler's young secretary, Traudl Jung. 

5. Joyeux Noel (French)

Though this is not a WWII film, it is another foreign film. It is Christmas in the trenches during World War I and the three sides: German, French, and Scottish decide to lay down their weapons for 24 hours and celebrate with one another.

6. Stalag 17

Life in a POW camp in Germany. Men barter with the German guards for things they need or leniency for the guards to look the other way as many are involved with racketeering. A murder occurs and tensions rise between the POWs and the Germans.

7. The Great Escape

Steve McQueen at his finest. A group of POWs plan to escape from the camp that they are being held prisoner in an inescapable prison. Hijinx ensue as the men put up a facade for the Germans as they secretly dig a tunnel underneath their barracks that would lead out of the camp.

8. Inglorious Basterds

Though not exactly factual, definitely entertaining. Who doesn't like to see Nazis getting scalped or prized extremities shot off? Or better yet, see the psychotic Jew-hating Colonel Landa be outsmarted? Plus, Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz both give excellent and entertaining performances.

9. All Quiet on the Western Front

The 1930 version, not the 1979 version. Though there are little special effects, the movie is just how author Erich Maria Remarque would have wanted it.

10. Battleship Potemkin

Though this a war movie, I picked it because of the epic cinematography. Every film teacher I ever had raved about it. In fact, THE UNTOUCHABLES parodied one of the most famous scenes from the movie in the Union Station scene with Andy Garcia and Kevin Costner.

Honorable Mention:

*Flags of our Fathers

The American side of battle of Iwo Jima.

*The Fighting Sullivans

The story of the 5 Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa. Seeing as I spent part of my childhood in Waterloo this movie is near and dear to my heart. I've interned at the museum that focuses on the Sullivan brother's plight. An uplifting heroic tale of the lives of the boys that would all go down with the USS Juneau in November 1942.

*Captain America: The First Avenger

Super heroes AND World War II? Is there any more reason needed?!

HFOTD: 25 May 1944

On 25 May 1944, Operation Knight was launched.

What was Operation Knight? It was a German operation that intended to remove Josep Broz (Tito), the anti-Nazi partisan leader, from the village where he was believed to be camped out in in Yugoslavia. The village where Broz and his comrades were staying was completely annihilated by the German troops searching for Broz, who had escaped prior to the attack on the village.

For more information try the following:

The History Channel

Biography

Have you seen this man? Hitler's potential disguises

It's interesting to think that Adolf Hitler would ever have been able to successfully escape Nazi-occupied Europe. Alas, the Allies were dead set on the idea that the Nazis would sneak him out if the Allies got close to Berlin. In fact, the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) commissioned several artists to compose potential disguises that were released to Allied officials and troops on D-Day, 6 June 1944.

The scary thing? Most of them do not even come close to looking like the hard-eyed, psychotic dictator that the world has come to fear and remember as the man responsible for the destruction of 11 million lives.

Read the article in it's entirety at the London Mirror

Hello! Tag! Hola!

Another year and another blog. I'm sure everyone is excited. As a historian/historian-in-training I figured this would be the best place to share my opinion on certain historical topics that are in mainstream media and just my wealth of knowledge (that is mostly WWII related)!