24. Did you wear camoflagued jump smocks into battle?
We of the 4th Division had light green smocks but other units may had camouflaged ones. I think the difference was only a question of supply and availbility. But the Hermann Goering Div was camouflaged.
25. Did you witness anything that would be considered now as a "war crime"?
I did not see any war crimes,like misshandling prisoners or Italian civilians.
26. How was morale amongst the German troops during towards the end of the war?
Morale in 1944-45 was low. We sensed that we were losing, but believed in Hitler's promise of the "Wunderwaffen". This was believable because the "Flying Bomb" was feared by the British, but could not harm the Americans.
Footnote: While history books outline the strategy and tactics of World
War 2 it is the personal accounts of former soldiers that provide a true insight into life
during this conflict.
Many thanks again to Otto Renger for his willingness to share these vivid descriptions of life as a Fallschirmjager in
World War 2.
If anyone reading this would like to provide their own
reminiscences or know of a veteran who would be willing to do so then please contact me
at phil@bphprint.co.nz
