WWII veterans from the ex-axis countries

[rusina]

I'd like to know the stance that society has on World war II veterans from ex-axis countries. They are very respected in Finland, but I'd want to know what it's like after 50 years of communist rule.

[HunGeneral]

Well I coulnd't tell you for sure how the majority of the Hungary of today stands to its WWII veterans (its rather mixed - many respect and honour them, and even more don't think they were doing anything else then serve the country, but there are some who simply call them fascist swines).
I do think that they were quite discriminated during the Communist system. I read somewhere that even the members of a voluntary unit which was sent to aid the Finns in 1940-41 were viewed as "servants of the capitalist/imperialist" powers even though the unit didn't take part in any fighting.... (Not to mention that the commie regime demanded that we honour the "true liberators" the Soviet army and its troops above all - the post WWII uniforms of the army were based on the soviet ones....etc.) In the best case they were simply ignored, by today however I suspect the situation has changed to the better.

[rusina]

Thanks for the answer.

[Adrian]

Here to we fought on the side of the axis but the commies beat us anyway they are respected as any civilized war veteran should be.

War ha a job we almost lost half of our country by fighting for Hitler.

[torongill]

Although Bulgaria was an ally of Germany, our land forces did not fight against the allies. In fact, we kept our diplomatic relations with the USSR. His Majesty's Air Forces fought the American bombers, that attacked the capital Sofia, but only after the communist coup d'etat our army began fighting in earnest(against the Germans). My grandfather, may he rest in peace, was wounded during that part of the war but he always remained with a very positive attitude towards the germans. In Bulgaria the attitude towards the veterans was very, very mixed. On one hand, you have the communist guerillas; most of the idealists of them had already died during the fighting with the police and army units, so the people who remained were for the most part opportunists. During the communist regime these so-called "active fighters against fascism" and their families enjoyed A LOT of privileges and after the toppling of the commies lost them(and became really bitter). The officers of the "king's army" were for the most part murdered, executed, sent to camps, lowered in rank, forced to retire, etc. The common soldiers are respected, as far as I know. But after the war a lot of them, who were deemed to be unreliable, did not agree with the forced collectivization of the agriculture or simply did not like the commie regime faced difficulties, to put it mildly.

Some of the fighters pilots are still alive and a source of stories for the youngsters.

[removeduser_487563287433]

I'd like to know the stance that society has on World war II veterans from ex-axis countries. They are very respected in Finland, but I'd want to know what it's like after 50 years of communist rule.

In Britain a regular soldier from an Axis power will generally be treated with the respect of any veteran.

[Manco]

In Belgium the volunteering East Fronters were pretty much reviled and despised. They nearly all lost their citizen's rights and many spent years in prison.
Actual veterans from axis-countries aren't regarded like that.

[Frederich Barbarossa]

Belgium had a high amount of volunteers. I have great respects for axis soldiers. In the US there are many many ww2 reenactors. A great majority of them play Axis roles including me. I could say around 100,000 of us? I dunno Its very broad.

[rusina]

Belgium had a high amount of volunteers. I have great respects for axis soldiers. In the US there are many many ww2 reenactors. A great majority of them play Axis roles including me. I could say around 100,000 of us? I dunno Its very broad.

Aren't you living in Venezuela? And who do you usually play as?

[CiviC]

Romanian Army fought both on Germany side in Crimea, Caucasus and Stalingrad and also on Allies side together with Soviets in Transylvania, Hungary, Slovakia and Czechia. Because Romania was allied with Soviet Union in the last year of war, the veterans didn't suffered from Comunist regime - of course the part when Romanian Army fought against Germany was evocated more by the propaganda. Veterans of WWII were always treated with respect by all regimes in Romania and the didn't suffered any persecution. Unfortunately there were many POW's in Soviet Union that were treated very bad by Soviets and many never returned.

[Heavy Weapons Guy]

In Latvia veterans are very respected! Stupid Wikipedia put Latvia in allied list, we were 100% for Germany, we considered Hitler as our savor from terror Soviet Union, we should be in Axis list.
@ CiviC:
Yeah people were treated very badly! In Pomeranian camp (Soviet camp) was my Grand Father (he was only 19) for one year. Only food there was sawdust and old meat with worms. Who ate meat all died. Only those survived who ate sawdust! Then he was transported to Latvian camp for 5 years. There was a bit better living though.

[Cyreidel]

In Latvia veterans are very respected! Stupid Wikipedia put Latvia in allied list, we were 100% for Germany, we considered Hitler as our savor from terror Soviet Union, we should be in Axis list.
@ CiviC:
Yeah people were treated very badly! In Pomeranian camp (Soviet camp) was my Grand Father (he was only 19) for one year. Only food there was sawdust and old meat with worms. Who ate meat all died. Only those survived who ate sawdust! Then he was transported to Latvian camp for 5 years. There was a bit better living though.

I doubt that every single Latvian national supported Nazi Germany.

[Heavy Weapons Guy]

Like I said we saw Germany as our savors from USRR!

[CiviC]

Like I said we saw Germany as our savors from USRR!

OK, but weren't the Germans the ones who agreed with Soviets to split Eastern Europe in two and Baltic states fell in Soviet lot?

[Cyreidel]

Like I said we saw Germany as our savors from USRR!

I doubt the Jews and the Roma did. The Germans wanted to assimilate the Latvians, anyway.

[Bleda]

I'd like to know the stance that society has on World war II veterans from ex-axis countries. They are very respected in Finland, but I'd want to know what it's like after 50 years of communist rule.

Well, I give Finland a pass as for Axis countries. They weren't fighting with the Axis on ideological grounds. More of a mutual enemy situation for them.

[rusina]

Well, I give Finland a pass as for Axis countries. They weren't fighting with the Axis on ideological grounds. More of a mutual enemy situation for them.

Yeah, but by Axis I mean the ones who fought against the Allies.

[CiviC]

Well, I give Finland a pass as for Axis countries. They weren't fighting with the Axis on ideological grounds. More of a mutual enemy situation for them.

Actually Romania was forced to war too. Romania was initially a Francophile country and part of Little Entente together with Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia agains revisionist countries as Hungary or Germany. But because Czechoslovakia was betrayed by French and British this alliance failed. When France fell in 1940 Romania was alone against the Nazis and Soviets who agreed on Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact. Romania was given an ultimatum by Soviets to give Bessarabia in the sumer of 1940 with the tacit support of Germany. If Romania would have refused the fate of Poland was very probable. After Romania gave Bessarabia, Hitler imposed to Romania to give Northwestern Transylvania to Hungary. So Romania was now amputated and isolated and obliged to enter Hitler camp. Romania accepted to attack USSR only because Bessarabia, to recover at least that part of her territory. Romania was an unwilling and reluctunt ally of Germany and at first chance Romania switched alliance and declared war on Germany. Unfortunately this meant to become allies with Soviets ... From Scylla to Charybidis.

[Odovacar]

So Romania was now amputated and isolated and obliged to enter Hitler camp. Romania accepted to attack USSR only because Bessarabia, to recover at least that part of her territory. Romania was an unwilling and reluctunt ally of Germany and at first chance Romania switched alliance and declared war on Germany. Unfortunately this meant to become allies with Soviets ... From Scylla to Charybidis.

At least Iron Guard enjoyed the turn of events...
Germany gained another cannonfodder, willing to go against the soviets for Bessarabia.
You were in the party too.

In 1945 there were no nazis or germanophiles anywhere, not even in Germany, lol... I see no shame in that.

[Slaytaninc]

There's no need to point at nations and scold them for World War 2. They've moved past it. People now are not responsible for the mistakes of the past, they just need to remember that said mistakes were made.