The Tallest German Surrenders

[Silberkreuz]

Hi, thought I would share this pic with you.....
Attachment 843934
Corporal Bob Roberts was overseeing the surrender of dozens of enemy soldiers during the Battle of Normandy when the 7ft 6ins German loomed into his view.
[img][/img]
Cpl Bob Roberts was sent the picture by a historian and instantly recognised himself
Cpl Roberts, who stood two feet below him at 5ft 6ins, had the daunting job of frisking the German lance corporal for weapons before taking him prisoner.
Out of shot of the photo, Cpl Robert's comrades and even the captured German soldiers sniggered together at the sight of the little and large encounter.
It was a moment of lightness during the grim duty of war.
For just a few minutes before the picture was taken, Cpl Roberts faced a life-or-death duel with another German soldier who pulled out a pistol as he pretended to surrender.
Luckily, he raised his gun in the nick of time and shot the enemy soldier dead.
Read more: Telegraph | Error 404 | Sorry, the page you have requested is not available ... cture.html




Read more: Histomil.com

[harryamb2]

[Gunny Hartmann]

I've seen this photo before but it is worth seeing again!...

[big ned]

He's not that tall really, you can clearly see he's standing uphill of plucky 5' 2" Cpl. Roberts.......

[HistoryMan]

Its an interesting story indeed, I spent some time with Bob last weekend

Here I am with Eldon Freeman Roberts, or " Bob " as he likes to be called last Saturday in Dunkirk ! In one of the photo's he is frisking me as in the photo with Jacob Nacken

Cheers

[SteveR]

Neat thread friend.

[HistoryMan]

Eldon, or " Bob " , North Shore NB Regiment, actually captured the soldier among 250 others, he went forward to accept their surrender. It was not in Normandy but in Calais, they captured the siege guns that were bombarding Dover

Interesting Pathe News film here

Hellfire Corner Aka Hell Fire Corner - British Pathé

Cheers

[Silberkreuz]

Hi HM, welcome to the forum. Glad the old boys still with us. That must have been a warming experience listening to his war stories, happy Bob's still getting attention for his service. Thanks for posting.

[HistoryMan]

Thanks SK, Yes Bob is alive and well and was 92 in March this year, he has lived in Bournemouth on the south coast since 1948 after marrying his English rose who unfortunately passed away a few years ago.

Yes it was a warming experience in more ways than one, hence my glow ! haha

I met Bob completely by accident, we were staying in the same hotel last weekend at Dunkirk. I returned to my room to collect my sunglasses, the sun was finally starting to appear after a windy cold day and noticed Bob and his elderly female friend Betty fast asleep on their own in the foyer of the hotel ! After collecting my sunglasses, I noticed Bob had woken up, Betty was still fast asleep and snoring actually, so I decided to approach Bob and say hello and ask if everything was ok. We seemed to click right away and two and half hours later after a couple of drinks and a superb chat about his experiences we decided to take a few pictures before himself and Betty retired to their rooms for a nice cup of tea !
Hes a great bloke and was an honour to be in his company
Here he is writing a passage in my book
Bye for now

[Paul D]

Many thanks for posting mate and welcome to the forum !!