Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Interesting Battle Of Berlin Footage

War is hell- Gen. Sherman.
I can imagine what is currently taking place in Mosel is similar.

One of the most furious battles in world history.

Yes, it probably is.

Interesting footage. The Russian and US footage is fairly common, the German footage somewhat less.

The Russian artillery had a simultaneous barrage opening round.

42,000 heavy artillery pieces opening fire at the same time.

Look up Russian casualties in the Battle for Berlin....

more Russian troops were killed by other Russian Troops, than killed by Nazi troops....

Stalin had Russian Armies competing against each other...

Compare Russian losses in Berlin, to ALL American Losses for WW 2...

You have no idea

This film presents some of the suffering civilians went through; you can just imaging the PTSD they had!

As a kid, I grew up watching these kind of films and documentaries, when Discovery and other channels made good programs.

I find it amusing every time Americans belittle Europeans about being pxxxxxs, not stepping up, wanting to start a fight, over some idiotic petty thing, that is self inflicted.

Its because Europeans knows what war is! They have lived through mechanized war on a huge scale, twice, costing MILLIONS of civilian lives, while most US citizens, have no clue.



I can still pick up the phone, and talk to my grandfather who where "contracted" to work for the Nazies, building fortifications as a 14-15 year old kid.

I like the footage of the red army troops carrying the flag in front of the artillery piece. Right after they get by it the cannon goes off and the muzzle blast knocks one of the troops on his ass.

Stupid political officer/director.

Looking at the pictures of German troops, I can't help but pity their future, knowing what happened to so many under the Russians after the fall of Germany.

Interesting you mention the PTSD aspect...From personal observations I would say my fathers' and grandfathers generation seemed to be far more well adjusted than many of todays.

Considering the scale of those who's lives were ruined by the war, mental health issues and PTSD seemed remarkably rare in the 1950's and 60's?

The other week, a well known British singer pulled out of a stint on a TV series and gave the excuse he was suffering from recurring PTSD following a live stage show he did a few years back..Pardon me, but I thought that was "stage fright"!!

I think my grandfathers/fathers generation must have been made of sterner stuff or perhaps life was simpler when you had less to loose/lower expectations?

I also belive there is something to do with people in the modern army are conditioned to shoot on sight. Which results in people killing other people without thinking! Most soldiers, who are human, do not want to kill others!


After WW2, a large study found that 98% of soldiers did not shoot to kill. Roughly 2% of all soldiers actually fired their rifles with intent to kill!

Of those, you could divide them up into 50/50.
1% of them likes to kill and shot to kill.
1% killed because they protected their brothers in arms.


After WW2, training on shooting bullseyes to shooting "silouetts" of other soldiers resulted in higher "shoot to kill" ratios, but at the affect of soldiers shooting as a reflex, and having to deal with the consequenses afterwards.

If only James Taylor had been there.

Mother, Mary and Jesus, you are one stupid SOB.

Please tell me what is taking place in Mosel

Yep, I generally feel the same way, like I am looking at walking dead men, regardless of the theater but especially true on the Eastern Front.

Birdwatcher

I will offer a different perspective.

In WW2 the primary means of transport was still ships. Men who were casualties often spent multiple months being transported from the battle front, to their home.

During this time they were among other men who had suffered/shared similar experiences. There was not a whole lot to do during these times, so men talked, shared their experiences, and essentially had their own "therapy" sessions with other who understood.

Fast forward to modern times: Casualties are airlifted, transported back to the States (or home country) via aircraft. They can be taken straight from a warzone, and be back at home in a matter of a few days or less.

Generally speaking they are not among their friends/peers who have shared similar experiences. They don't have anybody to discuss these things with who is genuinely going to understand.

Doctors, therapists, counselors are not going to understand, and to say that they do will on breed contempt/mistrust.

I have personally seen a know it all, narcissistic counselor tell a group of combat vets that she understood completely after her "in depth" research on the subject. Instantly she lost any credibility she might have ever had.

The vast majority of guys do not want to talk to a shrink. They prefer to work things out with friends/coworkers who have shared similar experiences.

It is my observation that such things like modern transportation, and "counselors" have actually hurt guys dealing with PTSD issues more so than helped.

Bearing that in mind, and looking at the flip side of the coin, now that PTSD is a "condition" that guys can get a disability rating for, you have a BUNCH of twats that are flat out faking a condition, in search of both attention and money. I honestly think there are more guys who fake a PTSD condition than there are guys genuinely suffering, that are receiving help.

Most guys who are having real issues are not likely to even bring it up, and try to deal with it internally. The douche bag "coffee shop poets" who are very vocal about their PTSD and seeking attention, are more often than not full of schit.

I actually sat on a mental health board where a group of vets were brought in who were allegedly suffering from PTSD. 1, maybe 2 of the 8 guys were legit. The one guy who I had no doubt about being legit was by far the quietest and most reluctant to speak.

One douche nozzle was on full disability for PTSD because during the Gulf War he was in Kuwait in the Air Force. He never was in Iraq, never heard a shot fired in anger, never was on the receiving end of indirect fire, nothing. He alleged that he had PTSD because he was a bomb loader (or whatever they call it).

He stated that because he strapped bombs underneath the wings of aircraft, and knew that those bombs would be dropped on targets in Iraq, that he suffered a mental breakdown and could no longer work or function normally. Full disability check. He went around writing poems and "rap" lyrics that he would perform, detailing his tragic PTSD issues.

Those are the guys I personally wanted to beat the living schit out of, and absolutely infuriated me. There were/are guys who have genuine issues, and don't get the help they need, due to A-holes like the coffee shop poet.

When people ask me about personal PTSD issues, after they find out I did 13 rotations in Iraq, I tell them it is because I have a solid group of buddies with whom I can discuss absolutely anything with, so I have no need for a shrink or to take a check that could otherwise be used to help guys who genuinely need it.

Anyways, that is my long winded perspective.

My dad was a combat medic during his time in Europe end of 44 into 45 before getting wounded. What Mackay has written is what my dad told me about PTSD.

My relatives who were involved would sit and talk out of range of anyone else. Hell, it was years before I knew my uncle had to bail from a bomber and elude the Germans for over a month before getting back. (being the nosy kid I was that is sayhing something about their secrecy.)

13 rotations! Holy smokes. Hats off to you. I never knew that.


Back to ww2, my uncle claimed they were given a "shot" before going over there. I can't recall what it was now, something for nerves. He said when he got back he got the hives. He went to the doctor and was told it was side effects from the shot. He only talked about it when he got some brandy in him.