The Replacement

[Xerkis]

I just had the honor to hear Robert F Kauffman speak. He was part of the American’s 3 Armor “Spearhead” Division in WW2. He had incredible stories to tell and I am sure could have talked for much longer than then 1.5 hours that he did.

I’m sure I will not give this Justus and will leave out many details, but one of the times was when they were moving down a road that was lined by trees on both sides. Up ahead was a crossroad. The lead tank stopped and Robert was told to run ahead to check to see if it was clear. It seemed OK so he came back and as he stood next to the lead tank reporting to the Lieutenant in the tank this information. Suddenly German machinegun hit the tank followed by a Panzerschreck that came from the direction of the crossroads hitting the front of the lead tank taking it out and wounding / killing the crew inside. Robert was sprayed by hot shrapnel from the Panzerschreck that hit only a few feet away from him. Later in the hospital he also found out that he was not only treated for burn wounds but also operated on his abdomen where they removed a machinegun round as well. His first Purple Heart.

How he received his second Purple Heart was even more amazing. I started to write it and realized how terrible I was conveying the incident so decided not to try anymore – sorry. But it was inside Germany and during house to house fighting.

If you know the history of the 3rd Armor Division, Robert was right in the middle of all of it. Meeting up with the SS units and all.

If anyone ever gets the chance to hear him speak – by all means go.

He does have a book out that I have not yet read but have heard from others is fantastic to do so and am getting a copy immediately. It is called: “The Replacement: The Maturing of an 18-year old in WW II” by Robert F Kauffman.

[Lillarpy]

Sounds like an absolutely amazing World War 2 story. Thank you for tipsing us Xerkis! I always love reading about the human perspective. It is easy to forget about the human perspective when you read a lot of books about the fronts, and overall strategies where it more or less seems like an game of number than anything else.

Another book to add to the pile of books! For every book I read the pile have managed to get another 3 unfortunately.

[Xerkis]

It was amazing.

He ended his talk about saying that he has made several trips back to Normandy and some of the other places in Europe that he had fought. And he obviously has visit the graves there at Normandy and said, “that should be my currant address.” I would think so. Not many can take a round from a Panzerschreck and a machinegun and live to tell about it.

[Xerkis]

Follow up on Mr. Kauffman.
I heard he just got back from another trip through Europe where one of his stops was to give a speech while on Normandy Beach. I can only imagine how that must have been.

[boerkameel]

Ahh too bad I haven't found this out sooner! I've been to Normandy a few times, and stood on the beach of Caen. About a 4-5h drive from here.
Not that we don't have our history here, 5 houses from my dad's place they found an unexploded WW2 bomb while digging to place concrete foundations for a new house. Could have gone quite wrong there. About 500m from that location there is an old fort, I assume the dud missed it.

[Xerkis]

Yeah sorry, I didn’t find out until too late myself. Or I would have posted it sooner.