GatorsWearingJimmies

Thank you for the in-depth reply. I am a history student and your story sent goosebumps all over my body. I am so grateful you made it out and you have a family to love. War is so tragic, hearing a first hand story is an inspiration.

Do you know why the soldiers were trained/treated so differently between the Soviets and Germans ? Do you think it was leadership, beliefs, the contrasting dictatorships ?

Thank you for the AMA. What was the soldiers moral like fighting first for the soviets, then for the germans ? Did they differ ?

Thank you for all your replies. I am so grateful to be able to hear your story !! So, how were the conditions in the refugee camps when you finally fled to Germany, especially not being of German descent? Did you feel animosty? What was life in post-war germany like once you left the refugee camps?

This is so fascinating. I often hear/read/observe people who have lived in an oppressive regime and they loved their leader, such as Mussolini or Hitler. Written all over history books they explain the harsh conditions of Soviet Union I just always believed there must have been love/commitment towards Stalin or even perhaps hope or faith that he would do whats best for their country. So it surprises me people thought the war would "save them".

How were the conditions in the refugee camps when you finally fled to Germany, especially not being of German decent? Did you feel animosty? What was life in post-war germany like once you left the refugee camps?