I met a German man who shook Hitlers hand.?

Question

He is an 84 year old whom I met the other day.
He introduced himself, told me about his life in Hitlers Youth army, showed me his scrap book, photo's from the war.
He was captured in France.
How would you have reacted?
I am 0zzy, my family is British, i't's hard not to have a bit of resentment. My Grandad was Bayonetted by a German Soldier. He shook Hitlers hand and was very proud of it.

russkimuzhik
I doubt if you actually met molitov
If so, what year and where?
Pre 1986?

Answer 1

bet you he was still proud of that fact.

Answer 2

I would have probably asked about his experiences ; but as repulsive as the thought of Hitler is ..I wouldn't hold resentment against the old guy . I seriously doubt the kids who were forced into Hitlers Youth Army had any knowledge ( at the time ) of Hitler's atrocities . There was a time when many Germans fell for Hitler's "glory" promises ..Though many Germans later knew what he was up to..and tried to get rid of him and languished in prisons or were put to death . Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a would be hero who was executed for his part in a plot to get rid of Hitler .

Answer 3

Why didn't you simply tell him : My Grandfather was bayoneted by a Nazi?? That would have shut him up fast.
Now, I have to say- many Germans who survived the war still make excuses for their behavior in WWII. It was forced on us! Oh we were brainwashed! Oh we didn't know! HOGWASH!
The German people elected Hitler. Elected. Thousands of German citizens freely participated in atrocities. They moved into Jew's homes who had been sent to the camps. They freely volunteered to plan the division of the Russian breadbasket up before Operation Barbarossa with the specific intent of starving the Russians to death. It goes on and on.
At least this guy ADMITS that he was a Nazi, I'll give him that.
But please feel free to tell him to go to hell if you see him again.

Answer 4

Well theres many old generation people who are still the same. Its the culture they were brought up in, and they are very prideful about it. It may not be right, but thats just how the old generation of every culture are. At least the new generation of races are starting to learn from the older generations mistakes. I won't blame you for your resentment, I have some resentment myself, but its just the way he was brought up.

Answer 5

i agree, that man is a part of history that we can learn alot from. Sure he was part of an organization that killed millions, but learning from him can prevent anything like that from happening again in the future. We must also remember that he was raised from youth to believe that Hitler was God, we cant judge him about a belief that he was force fed since before he could talk

Answer 6

Just go with it. The man is over 80. Let him enjoy his life. He thought he was doin the right thing. If you went to Iraq and said you voted for and support Bush you prolly would get kidnapped. Put it in perspective. Dont support his views but let him live the rest of his life proud.

Answer 7

Mental attitude: I was a Dutch warbaby.Dad was deported to a slave labour camp. Mom was responsible for us three kids. She hated Germans with a passion, UNTIL my sister married a wonderful, sweet German boy who is quietly pro-nazi and she turned like leaf. Go figure....

Answer 8

Ya, and me and m cousin spent 2 weeks with a guy who fought in WW2 for the Germans.

Answer 9

So what?
I once (accidentally) met a guy who shook Hitler's hands and signed a treaty with him.
His name is Molotov.

Answer 10

Hi Ozzie,

Well, I think that's very interesting. I have had all kinds of computer issues here for the last few days, so I'm just getting back up to speed. I'm still waiting for your e-mail ;-)

Buzzy

Answer 11

I take the scrap book and run. Sell it on ebay. Did he have photo of Hitler?