memories of old men.

[Paul Reed]

Or better still, interview and record and post the transcript here. No-one is trying to catch you or him out, but it is big leap between 'a mate told me this...' and actually posting what they said. If you want people to take what you post seriously, which I suspect you do, it would be better to follow the latter route. Up to you, of course.

[Slipdigit]

4th Wilts,

I do not wish to sustain an argument with you over this subject.

You presented what was revealed later to be anecdotal, third party evidence concerning Market Garden that you stated was your opinion. Post 21 in this thread http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/battle-specifics/6016-market-garden-worth.html
I challenged you on it, as did some of the Brits in the forum, including a well regarded combat veteran of the era. You’re only reply to me was to point out that I had misidentified the 1st Airborne and to restate your claim, without providing any supporting statements, other than to reference chain of command responsibility and disparage me personally.

You brought the same accusations in a thread concerning another battle, also without supporting statements. It is here that you provided context for your postings by saying that they were the accounts of friend who was involved in the fighting.

In response to this thread, I stated that I would not mind reading the accounts of a soldier’s actions during the war, as did most of the others. I can accept what his views are, they are his. There are what he saw in his place in the war. When you present them as your opinion, which you did, you should be prepared to accept rebuttals. Mr. Guy (Sapper) and Mr. Goldstein, both, can probably attest to the fact, that at the time, they knew less about what as going on in the rest of the war than they do now. However, I still respect them for what they saw and did, as I would for your friend.

I have tried to be polite to you as a result of my perception that you are an older gentleman, and worthy of congeniality from me on that basis, alone. If I am wrong about your age, I apologize, it is not my intention to revile you because of a misplaced perception on my part.

Please accept my willingness to move on from this but please understand that when you present an idea or belief as your own opinion, it can be called into question by others and when you disparage someone’s reputation, it does cause anger.

[4th wilts]

on the first point,my mate is more interested in allotments and a pint down the rosie,than a compter.on the second point,am i not allowed to post views on any subject about which i feel strongly,or do i just post wondering whether or not i may upset different people.i think i shall just post mundane opinions along with others.yours very sincerely.lee

[Owen]

Lee,
Just wondering if was your mate a pre-war Territorial ?
How long was he with 4th Wilts?
Was he at Vernon crossing the Seine , where I was in August?
I've been to Hill 112 and Mount Pincon, was he there too?

[Slipdigit]

Originally Posted by 4th wilts

on the first point,my mate is more interested in allotments and a pint down the rosie,than a compter.on the second point,am i not allowed to post views on any subject about which i feel strongly,or do i just post wondering whether or not i may upset different people.i think i shall just post mundane opinions along with others.yours very sincerely.lee

By all means post them....just be prepared to defend them, as I expect when I post things.

You can upset me all you want to, I am soley responsible for my feelings. I may be angry, but I will not act a fool, nor would I expect you to. We can disagree but still be congenial.

Just be prepared to adequately defend potentially volatile statements.