Hauptmann Kauffman
March 14th, 2008, 11:43 PM
What are your thoughts on them? I will share mine right now :P
The normal axis soldier in the German army was a young man, perhaps a veteran of the first war, who had stayed in the army after WW1. They were no different than allied soldiers, and held a very powerful sense of Patriotism. All were willing to die to protect the Fatherland. They fought under an evil regime. The youth were brainwashed, and the elders in teh army were bound by their oath to their country. They fought bravely under enemy fire to protect their families, and to do the will of the government. That was the average soldier, no different than an American or British soldier. The leaders of the Wehrmacht were mostly brilliant generals, respected by all sides for their sense of chivalry. Towards the end many opposed Hitlers suicidal orders, but were overruled. Several examples are: Erwin Rommel, Ludwig Beck, Fedor von Bock, Wilhelm Canaris, Heinz Guderian, Franz Halder, Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord, Albert Kesselring, Günther von Kluge, Friedrich Paulus, Erwin von Witzleben
The Japanese were basically the same, only they were filled with more fanatacism, and were taught that surrender is not an option. Either win or die. They fought to preserve theuir country, and themselves. A drafting into the army meant death. Very few soldiers ever surrendered or escaped due to this mentality. I dont know much about the average soldier in the Chinese theater, so info would be appreciated. All I know of is attrocities committed by japanese soldiers...
(I am ignoring the Italians and smaller countries for the sake of cutting down reading material:D)
So, opinions?
The normal axis soldier in the German army was a young man, perhaps a veteran of the first war, who had stayed in the army after WW1. They were no different than allied soldiers, and held a very powerful sense of Patriotism. All were willing to die to protect the Fatherland. They fought under an evil regime. The youth were brainwashed, and the elders in teh army were bound by their oath to their country. They fought bravely under enemy fire to protect their families, and to do the will of the government. That was the average soldier, no different than an American or British soldier. The leaders of the Wehrmacht were mostly brilliant generals, respected by all sides for their sense of chivalry. Towards the end many opposed Hitlers suicidal orders, but were overruled. Several examples are: Erwin Rommel, Ludwig Beck, Fedor von Bock, Wilhelm Canaris, Heinz Guderian, Franz Halder, Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord, Albert Kesselring, Günther von Kluge, Friedrich Paulus, Erwin von Witzleben
The Japanese were basically the same, only they were filled with more fanatacism, and were taught that surrender is not an option. Either win or die. They fought to preserve theuir country, and themselves. A drafting into the army meant death. Very few soldiers ever surrendered or escaped due to this mentality. I dont know much about the average soldier in the Chinese theater, so info would be appreciated. All I know of is attrocities committed by japanese soldiers...
(I am ignoring the Italians and smaller countries for the sake of cutting down reading material:D)
So, opinions?