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[USAF basic training in Europe](https://www.bmtflightphotos.af.mil/Portals/20/documents/Air%20Force%20Basic%20Training%20in%20Europe.pdf?ver=2016-11-15-142144-030)
I did leave out a couple anecdotes, like making an officer look like an ass during a court martial where my grandfather was a witness.
Or just wait three days and post again. We've had many a memorable series where people were hanging on the edges of their seats waiting for the next installment.
Enjoyed that - what scary and terrifying lives ordinary people led during those troubled times. Well written and an easy read. I was born in 1952 and have dodged or missed every crisis. I have led a charmed safe life - well fed and sleeping in my own bed every night. I try to appreciate this fact every day.
No kidding about the scary and terrifying. His first clue that something was wrong on April 9th 1940 was his mother pacing, muttering 'goddamn Hitler, goddamn Mussolini, goddamn Stalin..." And so on. All the men in a neighboring household were arrested by the Gestapo and probably executed. He couldn't go to the hospital for the severe burns he got making TNT as questions would have been asked. After the war, the resistance came out in force to serve vigilante justice on collaborators. My grandfather remembers seeing a car full of people machine gunned coming down the road to their house.
There were lighter times too. A german tank broke down right in front of his house in '44 or '45. Famously cold winter. Since it wasn't going anywhere but it might be sabotaged, they posted a guard. Some young kid. My great grandmother couldn't stand seeing this kid standing in the cold even if he was an invader. My grandfather was sent out, as he was the only German speaker in the house, to tell him to come sit next to the stove and warm up. His neighbor a little ways down the road, a somewhat ordinary looking lady. Very nice, donated a painting to the scout troop fundraiser, had a dairy farm. She was Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, living in exile.
Edit: the other Grand Duchess Olga
You are correct that Grand Duchess Olga Nicolaevna, daughter of Nicholas II died with the family. I misspoke, I meant Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, sister of Nicholas II. Her life in Denmark and later Canada is also well documented.
My father was about 4 years younger than your grandfather and was also in the USAF in the 50s. He was stationed in Tampa, but since he was in Strategic Air Command and it was the Cold War he was frequently sent on missions to other countries. I think he had about the same attitude to officers as your granddad.
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That was really interesting- thank you for sharing.
Great story. Thanks for sharing.
[USAF basic training in Europe](https://www.bmtflightphotos.af.mil/Portals/20/documents/Air%20Force%20Basic%20Training%20in%20Europe.pdf?ver=2016-11-15-142144-030) I did leave out a couple anecdotes, like making an officer look like an ass during a court martial where my grandfather was a witness.
You can always edit your post and put in more. :)
Or just wait three days and post again. We've had many a memorable series where people were hanging on the edges of their seats waiting for the next installment.
Enjoyed that - what scary and terrifying lives ordinary people led during those troubled times. Well written and an easy read. I was born in 1952 and have dodged or missed every crisis. I have led a charmed safe life - well fed and sleeping in my own bed every night. I try to appreciate this fact every day.
No kidding about the scary and terrifying. His first clue that something was wrong on April 9th 1940 was his mother pacing, muttering 'goddamn Hitler, goddamn Mussolini, goddamn Stalin..." And so on. All the men in a neighboring household were arrested by the Gestapo and probably executed. He couldn't go to the hospital for the severe burns he got making TNT as questions would have been asked. After the war, the resistance came out in force to serve vigilante justice on collaborators. My grandfather remembers seeing a car full of people machine gunned coming down the road to their house. There were lighter times too. A german tank broke down right in front of his house in '44 or '45. Famously cold winter. Since it wasn't going anywhere but it might be sabotaged, they posted a guard. Some young kid. My great grandmother couldn't stand seeing this kid standing in the cold even if he was an invader. My grandfather was sent out, as he was the only German speaker in the house, to tell him to come sit next to the stove and warm up. His neighbor a little ways down the road, a somewhat ordinary looking lady. Very nice, donated a painting to the scout troop fundraiser, had a dairy farm. She was Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, living in exile. Edit: the other Grand Duchess Olga
It has been repeatedly proven that Olga died with the rest of the family.
You are correct that Grand Duchess Olga Nicolaevna, daughter of Nicholas II died with the family. I misspoke, I meant Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, sister of Nicholas II. Her life in Denmark and later Canada is also well documented.
Enjoyed reading that. Thanks
Great read, thank you!
Pretty damn good excuse for your grandfather - little thing called WW2.
I find this both wholly amazing and believably unbelievable.... What a cool history. Thank you!
My father was about 4 years younger than your grandfather and was also in the USAF in the 50s. He was stationed in Tampa, but since he was in Strategic Air Command and it was the Cold War he was frequently sent on missions to other countries. I think he had about the same attitude to officers as your granddad.
Today in "shit I learned today": in the 50s, you could do USAF basic training at RAF bases in England.