Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I have always wondered about this. My grandfather who has since passed was involved in Iwo Jima and he told me he took a sword from a dead Japanese and kept it for many years but gave it away to a friend a long time before he told me. I never really thought much of it but while I have heard of soldiers taking things from soldiers they have killed and now would most definitely not be allowed, back during WWII could, say a U.S soldier that killed a Japanese really just take their sword or gun and take it back home as a souvenir without much question?
What do you think was going to happen with any valuables on various "war dead"? What military men didn't take off corpses or nearly dead the "mopping up" who came behind them to care for the wounded bury the dead or just to steal would take.
The history of looting (souvenir) taking goes back almost to the first standing armies.
Military men have rarely been well compensated however if victorious there was always the possibility of loot and other goodies that made up for some of the difference. Wars are messy and nasty things on both the military and often the populace. Looting, pillaging, raping, enslavement and other excesses are just part of warfare. You can of course issue orders and make examples to keep things to a minimum, but again things are what they are. Even the famed "stiff upper lipped" British military had their share of issues with looting and rape during and in the aftermath of WWII.
I've a fondness for pithy quotes, and like to source them.
All this in the heart of a bitter war. It's a funny world. As one of our gun crew remarked, "The Germans fight for Glory, their cities, and their homes. The Americans fight for souvenirs." -- Ernie Pyle, December 24, 1943.
Not saying that Pyle originated the quote, just that he reported it.
Well, I hear the Taliban and other similar factions have been known to booby trap trinkets and such with IEDs, so that seems to be one obstacle to it nowadays.
As the thread continues, remember it has a specific topic. It's not about race or whatever it is some of you are trying to turn it into. Keep calm and respectful.
Yac.
Well, I hear the Taliban and other similar factions have been known to booby trap trinkets and such with IEDs, so that seems to be one obstacle to it nowadays.
Here is my memory of how many of the souvenirs where gathered near the end of WW ll. A jeep with soldiers would roll into a small town and talk to the local official. The town was told to make a white flag of surrender visible. Almost everyone hung out bed sheets. The locals had to bring all cameras, guns, knifes, helmets or other weapons to the town center. Everything that had a swastika, a nice camera, or good shotgun was confiscated, everything else the farmers could keep. So every time I hear how grandpa got this nice souvenir I smile a little.
Not exactly souvenir hunting, but this topic reminded me of a story I once read. When Japan surrendered, the senior officers were compelled to give up their swords to their American opposite numbers. Thus, Admiral Soemu Toyoda, the commander of Combined Fleet, had to give his up to Admiral Chester Nimitz. Years later, Nimitz decided that this particular "souvenir" meant more to its original owner than it did to him, and so he arranged to give it back.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
