Guys,
In response to a thread in the Third Reich awards forum I just want to say a few words regarding those veteran stories where they claim to have killed an enemy and taken the awards from that person.
We know by now that very often these stories may have a grain of truth about them but also there is a healthy dose of fabrication in most cases.
Hearing these tales is all well and good but we need to remember that in re-telling them - if it's really necessary - we should consider the way in which we tell them. A touch of sensitivity goes along way.
Our members are from all over the world and from all sides of conflict in history. Hearing a story about how a soldier killed someone and then robbed his body may be great when you're a schoolboy (or girl) but as adults we should remember that the dead soldier in the story will have had family, friends, they were a person.
Anyone of our members here may have had a relative in the war who hasn't got any trace of their service, none of their awards because that person's body was stripped by opposing forces. Therefore it is particularly galling when such stories are told with such relish. Please consider the impact your words might have on someone else and if the story doesn't need to be told, then please don't.
It was a different time and people felt differently then. What was once viewed as acceptable may not be today and I am far from being politically correct but this is about compassion and being aware of the sensitivities of others. Our German friends don't want to hear how their countrymen, Fathers, Grandfathers, Uncles had their bodies stripped of decorations by the people who killed them just as I wouldn't want to hear how the bodies of my countrymen were robbed by any German or Japanese soldier.
These stories will always be associated with collecting militaria but it would be greatly appreciated that in telling them you consider the feelings of others who's relatives may have been affected.
Thank you.
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