The Great Italy Veterans Thread - Page 2

Paul Reed · 30-05-2008, 08:47 PM

And finally, one vet I would have liked to have had with me again, my old pal John Dray who fought with 5th Northants at Cassino. This is him pictured on Snakeshead back in 2004.

Owen · 30-05-2008, 09:03 PM

I've edited in extra info to your posts , paul.
Here is Otmar in the middle of these chaps.

von Poop · 30-05-2008, 11:19 PM

Every now and then this interweb thing glitters like a tiny jewel...
Brilliant stuff.

How did you get the pictures of the German guys in uniform?

Cheers,
Adam.

Paul Reed · 30-05-2008, 11:34 PM

Adam, they had them with them, so we took copies on the spot. Don't ask, don't get, we found! It was all quite amazing.

Owen · 31-05-2008, 10:47 AM

As Paul said the German Veterans and Mr Dudley were all carrying photos in their wallets.
Here's Burkhard Hogspiel (who is Austrian) getting out his....how's that for a then & now.

marcus69x · 31-05-2008, 10:57 AM

Excellent stuff lads. Really well done.

andalucia · 01-06-2008, 11:39 AM

This is a very interesting thread, great stuff, well done.

CROONAERT · 03-06-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Reed

Burkhard Hogspiel.

We met him outside the German War Cemetery at Caira. He served with Geb. Pioneer Btl 818, according to what he put in the cemetery visitors book. Anyone know any more about this?

No one get tempted to whistle "Eidelweiss" to him?

Gebirgs-Pionier Bataillon 818 was formed on 20th December 1943 and basically spent the war in Italy. As you probably know, they fought around the monastry in Cassino before withdrawing with Rome, Assisi, Perugia and Arezzo all getting a mention. They were also the unit that closed the Calla Pass. In November 1944, they established a boat transport over the Po and , slightly later, built a bridge in it's stead before withdrawing via Padua and Bassano to Etsch where they surrendered to the Americans.

Dave.

Owen · 03-06-2008, 12:05 PM

Dave where did you find that info?
I can find nothing on-line about them.

CROONAERT · 03-06-2008, 12:32 PM

Try searching with it's correct (German) spelling ("Bataillon" instead of "Battalion" , "Pionier" instead of "Pioneer" for example) and (in the case of German units) drop the initials (such as "Geb.", "Aufk." ,"Nachr.", etc), replacing them with the complete words ("Gebirgs", "Aufklarungs", "Nachrichten", etc)...

Lexikon der Wehrmacht - Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 818

Dave

30-05-2008, 08:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: UK/France Posts: 3,142	And finally, one vet I would have liked to have had with me again, my old pal John Dray who fought with 5th Northants at Cassino. This is him pictured on Snakeshead back in 2004. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

30-05-2008, 11:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
von Poop I Like Tanks. Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perfidious Albion. Posts: 8,090	Every now and then this interweb thing glitters like a tiny jewel... Brilliant stuff. How did you get the pictures of the German guys in uniform? Cheers, Adam. __________________ It's only the Internet.

30-05-2008, 11:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: UK/France Posts: 3,142	Adam, they had them with them, so we took copies on the spot. Don't ask, don't get, we found! It was all quite amazing. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

31-05-2008, 10:47 AM	#15 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,065	As Paul said the German Veterans and Mr Dudley were all carrying photos in their wallets. Here's Burkhard Hogspiel (who is Austrian) getting out his....how's that for a then & now. Last edited by Owen; 31-05-2008 at 10:54 AM. Reason: spelling

01-06-2008, 11:39 AM	#17 (permalink)
andalucia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 110	This is a very interesting thread, great stuff, well done. __________________ Click to see my grandfather. http://www.freewebs.com/bernardhoganmaltaitalyww2/ http://photobucket.com/albums/b389/andalucia_/ Pictures of Liverpool.

30-05-2008, 09:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,065	I've edited in extra info to your posts , paul. Here is Otmar in the middle of these chaps.

31-05-2008, 10:57 AM	#16 (permalink)
marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Middlesbrough, UK Posts: 1,453	Excellent stuff lads. Really well done.

03-06-2008, 12:05 PM	#19 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,065	Dave where did you find that info? I can find nothing on-line about them.

03-06-2008, 12:32 PM	#20 (permalink)
CROONAERT Vejovis Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 757	Try searching with it's correct (German) spelling ("Bataillon" instead of "Battalion" , "Pionier" instead of "Pioneer" for example) and (in the case of German units) drop the initials (such as "Geb.", "Aufk." ,"Nachr.", etc), replacing them with the complete words ("Gebirgs", "Aufklarungs", "Nachrichten", etc)... Lexikon der Wehrmacht - Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 818 Dave __________________ In memory of 1440313 Gnr.Michael O'Mara, 155th Bty, 52nd (East Lancs) L.A.A.Regt (TA) R.A. - severely wounded near Arras in May 1940 and who took nearly 21 years to eventually die of his injuries. website: http://pathsofglory.co.uk

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