Exaggerated war exploits.

My father served in the 4th Btn Royal Fusiliers in the First World War, and referred to exaggerated tales of war exploits as 'pulling the long-bow', and the following is one of the best I've come across. It was related by a junior naval officer that was on the LCT that took me to Normandy on D-Day.
'I remember in particular a young army officer whose name was Lieut X who, with his driver, had orders to go to Caen on the eve of D Day and set up an Allied Military Government (AMGOT) office in the Town Hall. I consequently very soon became aware that things were not entirely going according to plan when Caen did not fall that day but took six weeks. I met up with Lieut X subsequently during leave, and he told me he did drive into Caen late in the afternoon, reached the Town Hall, saw the Swastika was still flying, turned about and drove away at speed chased by a hail of bullets!'
Lieutenant X was, in fact, with my unit of SP Bofors guns destined to go to Benouville to protect the Pegasus and Horsa Bridges. He was nothing to do with AMGOT and I saw quite a bit of him on that day. A colourful character who wore a Colt 45 automatice low slung on his right hip. He was much upset when it got pinched, but that's another story.
Can anyone match this one?

Jim

 

Had the misfortune to be on a coach trip from Glasgow to Leeds seated next to a chap who said he was ex-British Army and had fought in the Falklands, Bosnia and Northern Ireland. He was quite believable at first but the stories became more and more bizarre as the journey went on.

The driver noticed it too as we passed through Harrogate which is of course where the British Army Royal Signals are based. Something my good companion was oblivious too as he had said only a few minutes beforehand there were no major military installions around the area.

 

Next time ask him what colour the boat house in Hereford is

 

Met a chap in the RAF who bragged about serving in Belize and had enjoyed many a BBQ with the SAS who trained out there. When asked what they looked like he said "er i dunno they were all wearing balaclavas!"

 

Next time ask him what colour the boat house in Hereford is

There is no boat house...........Apparently

 

I saw one one TV the other day.

They interviewed a vet who said that during the Battle of the Bulge, they piled their rifles on the ground, stood in a circle around them and peed on them to unfreeze them.

As we say politely say in the southern US when someone has left the tracks, "Bless his heart!"

Dave

 

Don't say that it's all lies ! I'm sure that my Dad was telling the truth when he said that he was tricked into climbing a newly painted flag pole in his best battledress !

 

At the same time ...Some of the utterly bizarre exploits that did take place..Are even dafter than the imagination of the fakes.. Who would ever believe that we played an army gramophone deep inside the enemy lines, onthe banks of the river Maas. Pliable plastic type discs of Sappers preparing to bridge.... Who would believe that the enemy fired off a moaning Minnie right over us, as we lay in the stinking mud amongst the rushes..Really! But its true...
I would not speak about it until I learned years after, that it was happening in several places in Holland. Who would believe the Garden Roller mine man?Who would believe that we went on another deep into enemy territory to lift mines of a Viaduct... There are so many oddities that sound utter rubbish. But are true....

When I have departed there will be no one to bear out these stories ...

 

Brian, unlikely stories have been shown to be true, others not so. There are people who can tell the difference.

 

Hi Brian. Thanks for your contribution, and I understand what you're saying. I had to sit in embarrassment as an old comrade related a cock and bull story to his daughter as to how he shot dead a German with a Sten borrowed from an officer. It was blatantly untrue, but I think he thought it really happened. On the other hand another comrade saw a German approaching him across a field so rested his Bren on the gate to cover him, and the barrel fell off!. The Jerry was unarmed, elderly and came to surrender, a story I entirely believe. Just as I would not question anything you you told me Brian, it depends on the teller.

Best regards
Jim

 

Gaols are full of people that have convinced themselves they didn't do it and I have also met a number of people in Australia that claimed to have fought in Vietnam, whilst obviously too young to have been there. Pretty much the same delusions......

 

Hi Jim. Hope you are well mate....
I am only too aware of the fakers.. Though I must be honest, I have never questioned anyone, always believing they are genuine. Here, I must say that some of what took place was so bizarre, that it would not surprise me if the listener disbelieved the tale...

Some of the things that happened to me are in that area of "Hardly possible"
When a genuine vet is faced with that look of disbelief, he will clam up, and never speak about it again...
Let me relate this bit of war time oddity. I have posted this before ...I know not where?
When I arrived at Warwick Hospital

There was a soldier that I had known in Normandy. He was just starting to learn to walk again with the help of two nurses...

This man had been on patrol and as he came round the corner of a farmhouse he was confronted by a German. He fired his sten that jammed. The enemy let fly with a bazooka that hit the corner of the farmhouse. This mate then dived into a fox hole along side a burning haystack. (Norman pile of hay) The German fled...The burning hay fell down on him. He got out badly burned.. covered in shrapnel wounds from the anti tank missile.... Walking back to seek aid, he trod on a schu mine and blew his foot off, I cannot recall if it was one or both feet...
Now that is utterly bizarre but absolutely true. It rather illustrates the almost unbelievable stories that are never the less... True...

 

Come to that, My mate Spud Murphy and myself captured an American in the German army. Sat down and had a cigarette with him... He stayed behind to surrender to the Yanks.

He told us his mum was an American and his father German While on holiday in Germany, he was called up. His mum told him when you get to the front stay behind for the Americans...
Now would you believe that story? I did, and have been wondering ever since was I having the wool pulled over my eyes? I honestly do not know....

 

Trust you are keeping as well as us old'ens can Brian. Both of your tales are very plausible, and I wouldn't doubt them for a second. Please keep your memories coming-- they make great reading.
All the best

Jim

 

Hi Jim. Hope you are well mate....
I am only too aware of the fakers.. Though I must be honest, I have never questioned anyone, always believing they are genuine. Here, I must say that some of what took place was so bizarre, that it would not surprise me if the listener disbelieved the tale...

Some of the things that happened to me are in that area of "Hardly possible"
When a genuine vet is faced with that look of disbelief, he will clam up, and never speak about it again...
Let me relate this bit of war time oddity. I have posted this before ...I know not where?
When I arrived at Warwick Hospital

There was a soldier that I had known in Normandy. He was just starting to learn to walk again with the help of two nurses...

This man had been on patrol and as he came round the corner of a farmhouse he was confronted by a German. He fired his sten that jammed. The enemy let fly with a bazooka that hit the corner of the farmhouse. This mate then dived into a fox hole along side a burning haystack. (Norman pile of hay) The German fled...The burning hay fell down on him. He got out badly burned.. covered in shrapnel wounds from the anti tank missile.... Walking back to seek aid, he trod on a schu mine and blew his foot off, I cannot recall if it was one or both feet...
Now that is utterly bizarre but absolutely true. It rather illustrates the almost unbelievable stories that are never the less... True...

Brian

My experience is that most vets are far too humble. Rather than tell tall tales, they typically downplay or avoid talking about their experiences all together.
Would you not agree that the battlefield, with highly stressed young men in life and death circumstances, is almost the perfect setting for bizarre events?

 

Yes ..You are right. Some of the tales are completely over the top and absolutely true. There are things that I would not talk about.Simply because I instinctively knew that they would not be believed.
But I have said this before. An old Gentleman told me this.."You should tell of what happened, for when you are gone...It all goes with you"

I have tried to do that in the best manner that I can.....

 

I have tried to do that in the best manner that I can.....

And please keep on doing it, Brian.

Keith

 

Regimental Diary 4th Queen's Own Hussars
23/6/1945 11 SS men arrested and sent to PoW cage SPITTAL

I was just about to post the above diary entry on to the "It happened on this day" thread when I thought it might be more appropriate to post it here.

During our stay in Austria, immediately after the war ceased in Italy, events such as described above were happening almost every day and as a lowly trooper with a working knowledge of the German language I often found myself involved.

Looking back on those times it all seems like a dream and were it not for my own personal diaries and the Regimental ones I could be forgiven for thinking that it was all a figment of my imagination.

Exaggerated war exploits ?....... some, perhaps, but not always.

Ron

 

Hi Ron. Hope you keep well mate?
The truth is that there were so many actions that we all took part in....And I have to say..."Not willingly"

In my company, we had a Corporal that every one trusted. Officers, men, they all trusted this man. So he got saddled with the most dangerous actions. Here I must be honest.... I tried to keep out the way when there was something special on....

I was no fanatical hero. But each time this Corporal found me. Now I know that there can be no distinction in action. But I am sure the Single men were assigned to the highly dangerous actions. Perhaps not intentionally .But I am sure it took place.

So in those days we did not have any special forces. So it fell to the Sappers to take on what was required. Now it was with great sadness I learned that the Corporal died on the last day of the war. I learned that over the RE grapevine while in hospital.

I recall him as a completly unflappable man, always knew what he was doing...And sadly was never recognised as far as I know...

But of all my memories of times long past..That man was one that I am truly proud to have known. Believe it or not after 68 years I cannot recall his name...

IT does seem to me that some of what took place was even more bizarre than some of the stories you hear. I have no doubt Ron that you have experienced some of it...
Cheers Sapper

 

Yes ..You are right. Some of the tales are completely over the top and absolutely true. There are things that I would not talk about.Simply because I instinctively knew that they would not be believed.
But I have said this before. An old Gentleman told me this.."You should tell of what happened, for when you are gone...It all goes with you"

I have tried to do that in the best manner that I can.....

And we thank you for that Brian. No one else has those memories and they are a gift to us all.
I hope historians read your accounts and remember that events often unfold in defiance of all logic and influenced by random acts and strange happenings.