Memoirs

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World War II memoirs offer personal insights into the experiences of soldiers, civilians, and leaders. These accounts preserve firsthand memories of the war’s horrors, heroism, and enduring human impact.

Else Clara Wilke, a German East Prussian refugee flees to Oksbøl, Denmark

I was awakened by my mother at about 4:30 a.m. with the words "Musst aufstehen, die Polacken schiessen" …

Posted December 14, 2025 (updated August 8, 2026) by Patrick

497th Bombardment Squadron from the 344th Bombardment Group during WW2

The 497th Bombardment Squadron was a unit of the 344th Bomb Group, part of the U.S. Army Air …

Posted August 30, 2025 (updated July 31, 2026) by Patrick

Don “Doc” Rowe: Citizen. Soldier. – a book by Dennis W. Rowe

The book follows an American GI and combat medic on his personal and transformative journey during World War …

Posted February 2, 2025 (updated October 21, 2025) by Pascal

The 6th Guards Tank Brigade emblem and the cities on their route

Tank Driver Bob Dare recounts the fate of the Jackal in the Battle of Overloon, Netherlands

John Collier was a wireless operator/ loader on Cheetah of Number 2 Squadron of the Coldstream Guards of …

Posted June 15, 2015 (updated March 5, 2025) by Patrick

Jan van Driel – How a Forced Labourer ended up in Sweden during 1944

A few years after the outbreak of the second world war, probably around 1943, the Germans ordered all …

Posted July 3, 2014 (updated January 5, 2026) by Patrick

Back in France. Winterclothing or Cooking wear

A Fallschirmjäger in Normandy, Operation Kursk, the battle of Sicily and Monte Cassino

With Identification number Id.no144/214029 Mr. Hornig was still with the Bakery Company of the 1st Fallschirmjäger division. He …

Posted February 21, 2014 (updated July 30, 2026) by Patrick

Arbeitseinsatz – Forced labour at the Sigla Sicherheitsglas G.m.b.H. company in Gross Kunzendorf N.L. – Poland

Hendrik (Henk) Hoogendoorn was born on the 1st of February 1921, my grandfather was just 19 years of …

Posted February 7, 2014 (updated January 5, 2026) by Patrick

The Jackal; a Churchill tank left behind in the forgotten Battle of Overloon

On 27 may in 2013 the Scouts received an email from Christine; "My mother and I are travelling …

Posted September 17, 2013 (updated January 5, 2026) by Patrick

Arbeitseinsatz II – Forced Labour at Sigla in Poland

In August 2012 Landmark Scout received an email from a descendant of a survivor of forced labour in …

Posted October 26, 2012 (updated January 5, 2026) by Patrick

David van Dam; The cousin of my granddad – Gouda, the Netherlands

The name “David” was used a lot in the family. My granddad, like David, has the same second …

Posted October 25, 2012 (updated January 5, 2026) by Patrick