Tagged With "WWII"

Reiner is far from forgotten, thanks to all your research. Poland too holds special memories for me and from what you show of Świeradów Zdrój,it is spectacular. Thanks again Whitney for your incredible moving series.Reiner would be proud!

I have enjoyed sharing my search for Reiner with your readers. Joy!

Check out more of Pawel Wyszomirski's documentary photography here at http://www.testigo.pl/members/pawel-wyszomirski/

It would have been so very nice for you to have found Reiner as an elderly man slowly walking home with the aid of his cane from his daily dip in the mineral spring, and joined him for a revitalizing sip of schnaps and shared with him your journey. How cool would it have been for you to say, "Hi, Reiner. I'm your nephew's wife, Whitney". I think he'd be tickled to no end to know how much you've cared and how hard you've tried to find him.... Sadly, the absence of an ending like this should...

Dr. Fumblefinger—your response moves me. And I agree with you about looking for wiser solutions to conflict. Travel leads me to see what connects us to each other, not what separates us.

I've travelled to Brisbane Australia looking for clues to my fathers war record. It was a hot summers day when I found Roe Street Barracks - still in use ! I was convinced it would have gone years ago to a development. I stood in the entrance and I felt a shiver run down my back. A feeling I've heard described as "someone walking on your grave"

I know that feeling, GarryRF. Though, in this case, I would call it walking on HIS grave.

I can't help thinking, as I read your descriptions, and the memories of the people you met, at the people, old and young, caught up in Palestine and in Iraq in circumstances not very different. It is sad that we continue to live in a world where their wishes and hopes are of so little consequence to those who call the shots. Literally.

I can't help thinking the same thing. If only we could see through the eyes of others.

Beautiful image - grabbing on to the spider web and flying into a peaceful land/world. Reiner wrote beautifully!!!

Originally Posted by Carlin Scherer: Beautiful image - grabbing on to the spider web and flying into a peaceful land/world. Reiner wrote beautifully!!! Reiner was a great writer, and I'm sure in the original German it's even more elegantly phrased than in this fine translation! PHeymont -- agree with the sentiment. Believe we'll always have evil, power grabbing tyrants in our midst and our challenge is not to keep them from seizing power. Not an easy task. I've been reading Eric Metaxas...

DrFumblefinger—I've been meaning to read that book about Bonhoeffer. In fact, I'll do so, as soon as I finish Forgotten Holocaust: The Poles Under German Occupation, 1939-1944 by Richard C. Lukas and Norman Davies . My affection for the Polish people I've met has spurred me to deepen my understanding of the German occupation and devastation of Poland.

Reiner was such a dutiful letter writer that we have this info allowing us to retrace these steps. Amazing resources - Reiner's letters and Whit's dogged research. Loving this story more each day.

This makes a fascinating read, well done! My father-in-law Hans Esser was from Cologne (had sung as part of the choir in Cologne cathedral) and served on submarines (unwillingly) during the 2nd W.W. war. Their sub was attacked several times and finally they were forced to surrender. He was taken prisoner and interned in England. The prisoners then helped on the local farms which was where he met his future wife Vera. They married just after the end of the war and had the difficult privilege...

Mac-TG Guru--Fascinating story, yours. Your parents' romance reminds me of such fictional stories in the British series Foyle's War . Have you seen that? The show highlights romance between German POWs and English farm girls. I would love to know more of your father's history. I also wish I could interview your father or find other elderly residents who remember life here during the war. So much better when it comes from a resident than from a historian who was not here then. How long were...

Thank you for the continuing story, and especially to the link for the Stolpersteine. It is so important (I keep saying this!) for us to remember the people more than the "leaders," and not allow them to become mere numbers.

Whitney your story about Reiner and retracing his steps gets people thinking about their own life and family too, so beyond being fascinating history, it's very relevant to us all.25 years ago this summer I went through an incredible ordeal in Europe. Your journey for Reiner has me thinking back to that time and has me thinking of retracing some steps too.Keep it up and thank you!

Travel Rob, I hope we will hear more about your ordeal. You've got me hooked with that teaser line.

  Gumbo was visiting the Palm Springs Air Museum in the California desert, and specifically had the privilege of sitting in the cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber (like the one in the above photo).  Congratulations to the many who...

    Paweł and I are back in his little red car on one-lane Polish roads behind tractors. Google Maps underestimates our driving time, and we’re going nowhere fast. Nothing fazes Paweł though, and he's ready with cameras for any kind of...

  I’m reluctant to say goodbye to Łukasz and his family because now I want to buy my own metal detector and continue digging in Poland. But, Paweł and I have a long drive ahead to Świeradów Zdrój , a Polish spa town in the...

My “Finding Reiner” blog continues to be a challenge in crossing historical time zones. Reiner’s old letters describe his school and neighborhood, and I search 1940s maps and the Internet to find my route to his past. If I had...

A series of seven forts built at sea to fend off a Nazi invasion have been proposed as a setting for a luxury hotel by a design firm trying to lure investment and a developer. The forts are off the coast near Whitstable, and can only be reached by sea or helicopter. The forts, called the Maunsell forts after their designer. have been out of service since 1956, and an eighth one in the group was removed as a shipping hazard. It appears that technically the forts are ownerless, but they are...

WWII concentration camp to become a luxury resort.

And I thought that GarryF had snagged the first date with Miss Angela.... I am distraught!! I just love the nose-art on these planes. To have so many fly-able planes too what a collection!! Thanks Dr.F a great piece.

Another simple photo that inspires lots of chat. I too was wondering who first caught Miss Angela's eye. But then ... gentlemen never kiss and tell ! Love the artwork, something the stuffy Brits would never allow ! The USAF had a base at Burtonwood UK. Close to Liverpool where I now live. The aircraft would fly almost non-stop. New crew and re-load. Not even stopping the engines. (Tales from my Dad) The hundreds of American personnel would hit the bars in Liverpool on R+R. The local men...

It is an interesting idea, and would be one of the most unique hotel properties in the world if the idea is well executed.

If it could be truly secure, it would be an amazing place to experience a storm! Although, I think there are many of us who would be uncomfortable no matter how secure…

Tofino on Vancouver Island is a great place to storm watch. You do so from the comfort of your lodge.