kaben3
Active Member
Posts: 49
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Post by kaben3 on Jul 28, 2011 20:54:51 GMT -5
Found this documentary online dated 1965. They talk with at least 2 - 106th soldiers. www.archive.org/details/gov.dod.dimoc.30181You can watch it full screen. I believe it is available for purchase on this page as well. -Karrie Note from Connie: This is a 28 minute documentary done in 1965. It includes wartime footage and narration by some who were there-- on both sides. |
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Post by connie on Aug 6, 2011 12:01:51 GMT -5
Karrie,
Just finished watching this the first time through. This film put together by the Army Pictorial Center is quite a find. I will watch it again...
It includes wartime footage and narration by higher command on both sides as well as some 106th members including Thomas Riggs of the division's 81st Combat Engineers and then 2nd Lt. Oliver Patton
Connie
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Post by Diana E on Aug 7, 2011 6:34:55 GMT -5
I have watched Part 1 and part 2, both of which I have on dvd. I agree, it is valuable and informative, and am glad it is out there. My problem with this production is this: It is made by the Army (I assume), and it seems way too scripted and rehearsed. So while it is informative, I don't in any way think it is the whole story, and wouldn't assume it is the correct story in many respects. I consider it to be the story the Army wants to proliferate. I place greater value and significance on the individual stories I read and hear from those GIs who were there, in the trenches. I hope I haven't offended anyone here in saying my views. I'd be interested to know what others think on this.
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Post by connie on Aug 7, 2011 11:09:52 GMT -5
Diana,
Good, well considered dialogue has to be one of the most important parts of what this board is about. I don't believe anyone should or will be offended by your expressing your opinion here about what felt to you to be a far too scripted presentation. Your opinion is valuable.
Dialogue away! (I'll be glad to share some more impressions when I've seen this a few more times and viewed the 2nd.)
Connie
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Post by floydragsdale on Aug 7, 2011 19:55:11 GMT -5
Hello All:
The U.S. Army signal corps filmed parts of many events that took place on or near the battlefield. Personally, from experience, I have perceived that some scenes were “staged” by the cameraman. It is easy for a veteran, who was there, to spot a phony, or, set up scene while watching a WWII filmed documentary.
The drama, of a severely wounded Soldier begging a medic to let, him die by crying - - - “I don’t want to live this way”. Or a scene from an artillery shell that has just exploded and splattered four or five G.I.’s with the flesh and blood of one of one of their fellow soldiers all over them was rarely, if ever captured on film.
Take a blending of fear, anger, hunger, thirst, exhaustion, disgust, loneliness, homesickness and wrap it up in one reaction and you might approach the feelings a fellow has about war. It makes you feel mighty small, helpless and alone. - - - - Without faith, in God, how can anyone endure the hell of WAR?”
The only way a person can really know (understand) the genuineness of war is to have been there, taken part in it, survived it and experienced the nightmares that last almost a life time afterward.
Here's my compliments to Diana for expressing her feelings about the documentary. I appreciate the fact that she is truthful and frank about it.
Floyd
424th
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kaben3
Active Member
Posts: 49
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Post by kaben3 on Aug 7, 2011 23:13:52 GMT -5
Hello Again, No problem Diana on your opinion  I think it's great this forum is a place we can all chat about these topics. Honestly, I myself after watching the video online for the first time felt kind of the same way. After my ongoing quest for information about my grandfather's service I get excited if I find any info pertaining to the 106th or any of it's members, and the Battle of the Bulge I still think we are grateful and appreciative to have Floyd give us his first hand accounts. He was there and witnessed these events first hand. This along with other first hand accounts through books, etc. Again thanks for all (Connie, Floyd, Diana) imput. It is great to have a great group of folks who give there honest opinions,imput,and help. And most importantly are genuinely interested in the 106th and World War II. I am still fumbling with this Itouch to post (grr), but will be back on my PC tomorrow Karrie |
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Post by Diana E on Aug 9, 2011 18:32:26 GMT -5
Thanks, Connie, Floyd and Karrie. I am glad these films exist for the information they do provide, but to me they have a certain propaganda flavor to them. So I guess I just hope people recognize them for what they are...and aren't. Thank you for all of your stories, Floyd. I'm new enough to this board that I'm still catching up on all of your past written recollections. I can't thank you enough for sharing them.
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I think it's great this