After a real war? some memories.











Sixty-seven years ago, in February 1946, Tina's Dad was stationed in Nordhorn, Germany, at brigade headquarters. [He's stood at the back on the left back with "x" above his head.] The man in the centre is Brigadier Routledge C.B.E,M.C,M.M, his boss and his hero. Germany had been defeated in May 1945, the previous year, and by November they had moved into Nordhorn.
  The following is an extract from a War Crimes Trial in that region where the Brigadier was the Judge Advocate. These Germans had killed a British Airman and a Dutchman giving him shelter. It will give you an idea of what was going on.

"VERDICT AND SENTENCE
Sandrock and Schweinberger were found guilty on both charges, Hegemannon on the first charge and Wiegner on the second charge.
Sandrock and Schweinberger were sentenced to suffer death by being hanged, Hegemann and Wiegner were sentenced to imprisonment for 15 years. The sentences were confirmed by the Commander-in-Chief, British Army of the Rhine, on 12th December, 1945, and the sentences of death imposed on Sandrock and Schweinberger were put into execution at Zuchthaus Hameln on 13th December, 1945."
   Tina's Father had survived the War, just. Two days after the War had ceased he came under fire. He was unscathed but a little Dutch boy and man had died near where he stood. He had fought alongside the Canadians through France, Holland and into Germany from the Normandy landings in June 1944. They had seen death and destruction. They also participated in the relief of one of the Nazi death camps. He never spoke of this: it was too awful.
  By this time all he wanted to do was come home to his lovely wife, Grace, [Nan] and his little girl Tina, in Weston-super-Mare. Not much to ask really. We must not forget that generation that gave us today. So I have written this to remind you.
  Today's soldier is no less brave or dedicated but he has a much more difficult task. Just who is the enemy? In World War II the enemy had a name and a uniform, when we finally got to the enemy's country we assumed, correctly, that the populace were against us. Now? who is the enemy? or is this another holy war?
Anyway Tina's Dad did get home and he was loved.

 










 

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