Falaise Gap: Hill 140 drama

[Col Tigwell]

Having had the joy, of a business trip to southern Germany, I found the German people to be the finest in hosts.

I recall walking through the graveyard of the local church early one morning, just outside Nekarsulm. It was a small town with less than 3000 people living there.

There was a black marble wall, about 50 meters long which contained over 300 hundred names. My German was not good enough to tranlate fully.

When my friend and host arrived, they explained that was a memoral only, for those who lost there lifes on the Russian front.

This equated to 10% of the population, who never returned from Hitlers madness, and I expect would never be found.

I understand the German thinking reasonably well, but a country so wealthy, should be able to put proper grave markers onto all its dead, I think they in the main deserve that dignity.

Maybe the real problem is, that at the time most were interned, feelings on both side were perhaps indicating to keep it simple.

However those who served in the peacetime post war armed forces seemed to do well. If Wittmann had survived the war, I am sure he would have been elevated in rank, as so many other decent Germans did.

Should there be a better memorial, I really cannot say, as my background is too light on. The problem as I see it today, is that Wittmann is still remembered, but say in 50 years time, without some of his story being told, this will just become another grave.

Even lifting it slightly, could start the viewer to investigate more.

Say

"One of Germanies great tank Comanders."

Truth is often stranger than fiction.

The Royal Navy at the end of the war, put into service at least two German E boats. Their speed was great than neither the allied or Russian boats could catch them. They were used to monitor the Russian navy exercises, as used to sail straight through the Russian ships.

However these boats were crewed by German navy crews, and were captained by WW2 E boat commanders. They served I believe in German navy uniforms, but were on the payroll of the RN.

A last chance of Glory perhaps, I believe the RN screened the ones they hired, and all the rubbish went into POW camps.

Regards

Col Tigwell
Downunder