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Johnny Surrant 02-Dec-2008 06:17
Thank you for your time, I especially enjoyed the shadows gallery :)
Jonathan 13-Nov-2008 16:48
Nice site
Jonathan 12-Nov-2008 00:52
A great site. I run a website dedicated to RAF Greenham Common, a former USAAF and USAF base which had C-47s in WW2 and after.

www.greenham.greatnow.com
Mark McBrearty 15-Apr-2008 01:32
Thank you for allowing us to view this wonderful tribute to The Greatest Generation. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Nor should we ever forget the loving, faithful and patient women who waited for their loved ones to return. You were obviously blessed with a wonderful wife.
kenindfw 24-Mar-2008 02:30
Enjoyed your galleries very much. Thanks for putting it all together.
Sylvain B. 29-Aug-2007 08:08
Dear Bob,
My grandmother was a nurse during WWII.
I made a gallery for her: http://www.pbase.com/bonfas/dday maybe you are interested to read her story.
Thanks for all you did for us!
God bless you,
Sylvain
Bob Searl, Sr. 09-Dec-2006 14:10
To those of you offensive and discourteous people that send unwanted comments of ill intent to this historic and respectful website, please I humbly appeal to you, out of consideration for those that are offended by this action,refrain from adding your posts and unwanted e-mail addresses.It is not my purpose to provide a board for your obscenity invitations by publishing these Galleries of Wartime photos that are part of my precious memories and current gratification. Bob Searl WWII Veteran - Webmaster
Bob Searl - WWII Veteran and Gallery Webmaster of this site.
Phil Willows 24-Jul-2006 21:22
My father was also in the signal corps during World War II. He grew up in Wenonah (Woodbury High School turf). Between that and the fact that you and so many or your comrades were from New Jersey, I really felt a closeness as I paged through each of the photographs. Looking at the young faces, it brought back my memories in the service. I grew up in Haddon Heights.

Your final photograph of you at Fort Gordon is absolutely priceless.

You may not consider your photographs to be a great art gallery, but I'll take your photographs over the Louvre every day of the week (and twice on Sunday, of course!).

God bless you,
-Phil
Bob Searl, Sr. 12-Jun-2006 16:17
Mr Richards: My e-mail reply to your note about your father was locked out of your delivery system.
Bob Searl
J. Richards 11-Jun-2006 22:29
Mr. Searl: I know it's incredible, but I just found out that my father was in the 56th Signal Battalion and fought at Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Would you possible have served with him? His name was Andrew Fennelly, Radio Operator, from East Boston, Massachusetts.
jmdaj@yahoo.com 04-Jun-2006 12:55
Incredible.. Ken
icic@yahoo.com 04-Jun-2006 12:50
Like the new look of the site. Lynton
andre sanfrapet 13-May-2006 09:38
Lovely site ! A real pleasure...I'm always happy with mutual interests, God the almighty bless your beautiful person !
David Bohn 28-Apr-2006 21:05
Nitro W.V. by an act of Congress is a living memorial to WW-1. We have a Nitro War Museum here. As President of The Nitro Museum Association, we are trying to make our museum a legacy to all wars, and have a good start! Last month we had th W.V. Chapter of the 82nd Airborne reunion here in Nitro. To honor the men of the 82nd, we had one small wall dedicated to them. At the present we are lacking space so we wil routenely have that wall changed to honor other organizations. I just received an ash tray from the ss Argentina. Your picture of the ship and article would be a plus for your your finding more members of the GI's that sailed on her. I will frame this and post it in our WW-2 section of the museum, if I can have your permission to do so. Sincerely, David Bohn
Beverly Sklarew Stephens 27-Mar-2006 21:55
Would you have known my father Herbert Sklarew? He died unexpectedly in 1984. It would have been his 87 birthday next month and I am trying to put some information on his life together for his grandchildren. I would appreciate any info. you might have. He was a Sergent in Company B 56 Signal Battalion and was photographed on August 8,1941 at Fort Jackson S.C.
Tom Gonzalez 27-Mar-2006 14:56
My father Louis F. Gonzalez and my uncle Thomas E. Nichols served in the 56th in WW2. They met at Fort Jackson and my uncle took my dad home to Chester, SC on a pass. My dad met my uncle Tom's sister and they were married soon after. I came along in '43. They did not talk about their time in the 56th too much, but I remember as a kid dad woulg receive copies of a newsletter called the "Signaleer". My dad and uncle are both dead now. My uncle Tom died in 1966 and dad died in 1971. I will try to send you pictures of them for the website. I would be interested in hearing from anyone that might remember them. Thanks for the great site.
Tom Gonzalez Machipongo, VA
Adriaan 23-Mar-2006 23:31
Very useful!

Adriaanhemelrim@gmail.com
Tony Howell 23-Mar-2006 16:59
Thank you for sharing these photos!!!!
AMP 16-Mar-2006 23:26
thank you. a moving gallery indeed.
Mike Rodgers 01-Mar-2006 14:29
Mr. Searl,
I really enjoyed talking to you and your son. I'm going through your photo galleries now and they are most interesting. Thank you so very much for all you have done for the U.S. It is appreciated. Hope to stay in contact.
Mike Rodgers
Signal Corps Museum
Chris Forrest 01-Mar-2006 13:00
Mr. Searl,
Thank you so much for your recent visit to the 56th Signal Battalion at Fort Gordon. It was my honor to escort you during your visit and my sincere pleasure to spend time with a man who has done so much for this country. I enjoyed your company very much and hope to see you and your son again in the future.
I am still very impressed with your actions during our "Movement to Contact" exercise. I hope that you enjoyed your time with us here at Fort Gordon. Please take care and God bless.

CPT Chris Forrest
252nd Signal Company Commander
56th Signal Battalion.
Joseph Reihl 03-Feb-2006 03:36
Mr.Searl Sr. I want to express my gratitude from the bottom of my heart for wha you and others like you endured so that I am free today. I am a WWII historian and high school teacher in Roseburg Oregon. You had better believe that I remind my students all the time about what WWII veterans endured....so they don't forget. God Bless America !
Joe Reihl reih3590@pacificu.edu
Jon Mills 14-Oct-2005 07:39
R.H. Searl, Sr., Many people don't take the time to thank soldiers like you for the liberty and freedom we have today. Which during these times was a dwindling on twine
SimplePhotography 22-Aug-2005 10:48
Didn't know I was dealing with Mr. Searl Sr. here, so here goes:

I sincerely want to thank all allied veterans from WWII for what they did during the liberation of Europe. The kind of courage and dedication you showed here, cannot be found anymore today. I have been digging deep in the history of WWII in Europe, and with every new thing I learn, my respect for your generation grows. I'm also trying very hard to bring my knowledge to the rest of my generation.

So please thank all fellow veterans you know from this 34 y. old Belgian. No words can say what I feel for you guys.
Eric Berg 06-Aug-2005 14:45
Mr. Searl:
I want to thank your for very successful efforts to bring alive a part of my family history, in particular my father Robert Berg who served with the 56th from the begining to end of WWII. It is important that we keep the memories alive of the sacrifices and experiences of our families and country. I hope you and your family will be able to keep telling this story.

Eric Berg
Pete Dennis 22-May-2005 21:20
I served in the 56th Signal Battalion C Company in WWII. We installed telephones for the V Corp. I am trying to locate anyone who may have served in the same battalion. My email address is pjd22222@yahoo.com. If you have any information about former members of C Company, please let me know.
Guest 02-May-2005 03:08
Mr Searl,
I have information about the OCS officers that were in the 56 Signal Bn.. Four that have been found, dates of death on 16 others and the names of two that I am still trying to find. I plan to sent information about your site to the four... If you would like the info on any, or all that I have, please let me know. Richard Green
signalocsbw36@se.rr.com
Rolando Tasinato 23-Apr-2005 13:47
Hi Bob, excellent photos, really interesting, Thank you for the trip through your experience !
Sincerely
Rolando Tasinato Padova Italy 2005
Elizabeth 15-Dec-2004 05:36
Hello Bob,
I am so glad that I happened upon your beautiful and amazing albums tonight.I have spent an hour so far looking through them.
I am so proud of you and the other men, Thank God we had you soldiers to defend our national.
I believe one of my favorites was the picture of your lovely wife.
I am so happy you got to go back this year and see some of the places you had been so many years ago.
God Bless you Bob,Elizabeth
p.s. my husband is retired military so I know about the long separations your wife talked about.
guy 03-Oct-2004 20:31
pleaseoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
James Boris 07-Jul-2004 06:56
Thank you for being the eyes and the lense and introducing me to my Uncle Mike Boris who I never met. My dad and his four brothers served in the military, three were at Normandy. From what I understand Mike was a character but you were able to tell me a story that I never really knew of any of the five. After visiting PA two weeks after my ex-wife wanted a divorce with a little girl, I was a little shocked to see five of the same names on a honor wall near grandma's. Now that I'm done with school, I better hurry up, start a better life so there are future generations of the family. Your story will make it easier for me to never give up with my mission and fight on.
Patrick Elie 19-Jun-2004 10:18
Dear Robert
It was really a great day and a real Honor to spend June 18 with you, your brothers and your son in Normandy!
From Omaha Beach to Cerisy Forest, I really enjoyed finding the place where you were 60 years ago. It will be a great souvenir for me.
The day was too short in your company.
MAGA 14-Jun-2004 13:18
I DEY HERE OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Thomas L Brand 11-Jun-2004 17:41
My father's photo( Master Srgnt John A. Brand) appears twice in your album, once leaving a mess hall in South Carolina and another standing at the right end of a group.(looks like during early training days the uniform was some kind of blue, not fatiuques.)He was captured in the early winter of 44 in France by an ambush, a German road block in a narrow, hedge-row rimmed bend of the road. He and his driver jumped from the Jeep and began the leap frogging manuever of fire and cover until his driver made it to a ridge and kept going, leaving my father stranded with no covering fire to run under. The Germans simply kept him pinned down and flanked him and walked over to capture him. He was slightly wounded, treated with sulfa drugs and sent to a stalag on the Polish border near the Oder River via 3 days in a crowded boxcar. He was liberated by the advancing Russian army in April, 1945,6 months later. He and about 150 men walked into Russia in staggered groups living off the land and Russian help. They were repatriated via ship from Russsia to Port Said, Egypt then to America. About 150 other of the liberated POWs moved forward with the advancing russian Army to meet the American lines advancing from the west. The Russians had warned this group not to do this as the territory ahed was still being heavily defended. These men were never heard from againas far as I know. My father was periodically questioned by the FBI over the years to see if he could remember anything that would relate to their dissappearance, but of course he knew nothing since he had gone in the opposite direction. The theory is the Russians may have executed the men as a major inconvenience to their own advance or the Germans and they are buried in a mass grave somewhere in Poland. Ironically, my father was almost killed by an allergic reaction to sulfa drugs at age 79. The allergic reaction is only so severe when you have been prevously exposed to sulfa drugs. When asked if he had ever been treated with them, my father replied "No", forgetting about his treatment by the Germans 50 years earlier. It is even more ironic considering my father never put in for a Purple Heart over what he considered a minor flesh wound. Life is strange. My father was also among the first soldiers to marry a "war bride" My mother is a Bristolian, and my brother was born in Bristol in 1944 while my father was a POW.
I certainly appreciate your pictures and, if I had a scanner, would forward you copies of my father's, including an official panoramic shot of the entire 56 Signal Battalian.
William Panamaroff, jr 06-Jun-2004 15:33
Sir, what valuable treasures you have! Please, never for a minite, think that my generation will ever live in ignorance of the sacrifices yours lived through.
I come from a strong military family. Since the day this nation started, our blood has been shared.
They say, a picture tells a thousand words, well, that is true.
Recently, someone recognized my last name. A name, he hadn't heard in over 30 years...
He is a professional photographer in Cailfornia. He emailed me and asked for my address. He had a small box, a box of old slides. Written on the box was "Pan's slides".
"Pan" was my uncle's nickname in Viet Nam. He was shot down in 1968.
To see those pictures, told me a story.
As do your pictures. They all tell a story.
I really enjoyed your site, I will share it with others.
"Third Manchu, sir!"
Jeff Cochran 17-May-2004 22:35
Dear Sir, You are a National Treasure & Hero. Thx for sharing the pictures.
robin snell 15-Apr-2004 05:32
Dear Sir,
My grandpa is George Galusha who served with you. Grandpa has always been my hero. He rarely ever speaks of his service but i always knew he did/saw/served our country like no other. Never before did i really know, and now, via your pictures, I see and have this, another view of my grandpa. Grandpa is still living in California. He may have gotten the Bronze Star with you, but after reviewing all this, he and you deserve more...much more.
Peace to you always,
robin snell
granddaughter,
George My Hero Galusha
Gregory Sullivan 06-Apr-2004 18:53
Hi just like to say that I realy like your pictures
I like postmortums but it always freaks me out to see the victoms of war
If you would like to see my page please go to
www.pbase.com/gregorysullivan
thank you Gregory Sullivan
Linas 22-Mar-2004 03:02
dear mr. Searl, i just looked thru your pictures.how can i express the gratitude that i feel for your sacrifice and the sacrifice of others during the war.i want you to know that i personally am eternally grateful for everything you and the boys did. i will never forget what you guys did!! my parents imagrated from Lithuania,they left their homes in october of 44. i love hearing the stories of their experiences. seeing these picture just helps all the more to fill in the blanks of the countless stories that i have not heard.when i was in north carolina i went to visit the battle ship north carolina and there happened to be a vet who served on the ship during the war.i got a ton of stories from him that i bet only a few have ever heard.what a priveledge!!!! what an honor to know such a man.my expression is so inadequate of how i feel and as to the depth of my gratitude for you and everyone who fought during ww2. please know that you are a true american hero!! thank you for the freedoms you made possible for myself and my family and for all the generations to come... respectfully ,Linas
Romatti 13-Jan-2004 15:28
These galleries, and the images contained within, are phenomenal and priceless. I have some of my father's photos that I'm in the process of putting on my pbase site as well.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service, and for sharing these photographs with us.

God Bless.
Robin A Mattingly
Ben Auletta, Jr. 27-Oct-2003 20:08
http://www.loc.gov/folklife/vets/vets-home.html
check this site out and help america preserve its history
mark 01-Oct-2003 02:15
I believe D-day should become a National Day of Rememberance in the US, in the honor of all the "giants" who gave their life on the beaches of Normandie and who ultimately, through their supreme sacrifice, saved the world and made our lives easier today. We should all stop that day and think for 1 minute of one name, thanking him or her for saving our souls from alienation.
MUGU-MUGU 03-Sep-2003 14:37
ALL GUY MEN SHOULD KEEP OFF FROM THIS SITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bill Vinson 28-Aug-2003 22:07
Hi,



I’m Bill Vinson the Webmaster of a site that is dedicated to the Cruise ship SS Argentina, built in 1958 to replace the Trropship SS Argentina. I found your site and found it to be very interesting. I was wondering if you would give me permission to use some of your comment about the ship and maybe some of the pictures. You can check out our site at: http://namerican1.home.att.net



Thanks,



Bill Vinson

namerican@cfl.rr.com
John McKaigney 25-May-2003 04:31
Thanks so much for this experience and to be allowed to travel your road with you sixty years on almost. You guys did an incredible job and I only wish the young generation could truely appreciate just what you accomplished. Wonderful pictures and memoirs. I hope others follow and post their memories. john mckaigney m.d., edmonton, canada.
mbmadden 10-Apr-2003 06:45
Dear Mr. Searl,

Thank you for taking the time to scan your pictures and share them with us. I found them absolutely fascinating. I am 28 and lived in Aachen, Germany as a visiting American graduate student from ages 21-23. I visited many of the locations you were in during WWII: Eupen, Bastogne, St. Vith... I tried to imagine then what it would have been like had I been there not out of free will as a visiting student, but rather serving my country as you did. During those two years of living abroad, I gained immense respect and admiration for you and your buddies who selflessly fought for our freedom and the freedom of Europe. Please know that many, many in "my" generation thank you for what you did for our country. I hope that the present situation in the Middle East will shed light on the basic goodness of Americans to people in our country and abroad.

Thank you.

Mike Madden, Mountain View, CA.
Scott Sanders 17-Mar-2003 16:56
Note below my Grandfather's obituary. He was a great man who sacrificed for his country. I think the obituary speaks for itself.

Willard Goff Sanders, 86, of Marlinton and formerly of Rowlesburg, died Thursday, March 13, 2003, in Davis Memorial Hospital in Elkins.

He was born near Rowlesburg on July 21, 1916, son of Jacob Daniel and Hallie Pearl Goff Sanders.

He was a member of United Methodist Church in Hacker Valley. While there, he served as a Sunday school superintendent and teacher. He was also a member of the IOOF Lodge in Hacker Valley, a lifetime member of VFW Post No. 3008 in Rowlesburg and a member of the 56th Signal Battalion Association.

He was inducted into the armed forces in World War II on Dec. 15, 1942. He served in the 1st Army in the 56th Signal Battalion Company A. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Arrowhead and European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon and lapel button. He was discharged Oct. 22, 1945.

He was a foreman of Frazee Lumber Co., in Hacker Valley, and retired as manager of Coastal Lumber Co. Treating Plant in Belington in May 1981.

Survivors include a daughter, Sue Ann Hopkins and spouse, John, of Westminister, Md.; son, Thomas Willard Sanders and spouse, Sarah, of Marlinton; daughter-in-law, Janet Sanders Messer, of Spotsylvania, Va.; four granddaughters, Tracy, Kelly, Michele and Kimberly; one grandson, Scott; four great-grandchildren; two step-granddaughters; one step-grandson; three stepgreat-grandchildren; one brother, Claude Sanders, of Florida; one sister, Ruth Duke, of Martinsburg; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth V. Bolyard Sanders; a son, James W. Sanders; three brothers, Paul, Ervin and Junior Sanders; a half-brother, Raymond Sanders; two half-sisters, Edith Deeds and Effie McVicker.

Friends may call at the Browning Funeral Home Burke Chapel, Rowlesburg, on Sunday, March 16, 2003, from noon to the 3 p.m. funeral hour, with the Rev. Sam Haught officiating. Interment will be in the Mount Olivet Cemetery. At 2 p.m., Sunday an IOOF memorial service will be held in the funeral home. Preston County VFW posts will conduct military graveside rites.

Donations may be made to the Mount Olive Cemetery or the Hacker Valley United Methodist Church.
George Mitchell 05-Mar-2003 03:44
Mr. Searl,

Your son gave me the web address of your gallery. When Bob and I were in high school I knew you had been in WWII. I guess I didn’t realize that you had been right in the middle of some of the most historic events of the European theater. I have read a few books about the European war over the years so I recognize the names Normandy, Bastogne, Remagen, Eupen, Ahrweiler. Your photos are a great piece of history. That ME 109 is priceless!

You might be interested to know that I have a couple of mementos from the war. One is the 45 my father carried during his time in the Navy (41 to 45) that I inherited after his death a number of years ago. The other is something I am sure you will remember – the legendary M-1 Garand rifle. To be honest it may have been manufactured in the 50’s but I prefer to think that it played a part in the “big one”.

George Mitchell
Lei Li 14-Jan-2003 03:00
Mr. Seal,

Great photos and great history! You are a hero. My grandpa fought with Japanese in Burma in WWII. He was trained by USArmy military specialist.



Rick
Shanghai, China
Joe Peake 03-Jan-2003 11:35
Dear Mr Searl,
What a treasure you are sharing with the world. How kind you are. You are my HERO. Thank you for all you have done for our Wonderful country. Words cannot express how much I appreciate what you and your men did for the American people, and all the peoples of Europe. All I can say is "Thank You" from the bottom of my heart.

May God bless you in all that you undertake.

More RESPECT than I can convey,

Joe Peake
1505 Stone Dam Road
Chuckey, Tn 37641
Former Navy Diver
Served from 1954-1965
AL 03-Jan-2003 11:10
i just happen to see ur photos show up the examples of the pbase.com web
however,
i thankyou for bringing us this unofrgettable history of WW2 and to serve as a caution for the global population for the possible upcoming war

altough i am just 18, i relaize how bad war could be.
Mark Oxley 15-Dec-2002 22:33
Lt/Col. Searl,
Thank you so much for all the effort and time you put into this wonderful site. My father, Jack Oxley also served in WWll. He started in the Army Air Corps and stayed twenty-three years in the Air Force until retiring in 1963 as a Lt/Col. He rarely talked about his war time days, but I know if he were alive today, that he would just love to look at this great site you have assembled. You should be commended for what you have done here in preserving the history of a time we should never, ever forget.
Every American should see this site, and understand, that if it were not for men and women like you, defending freedom thousands of miles from home, we might all be living in a much different world.

My eighteen year old son recently joined the Army Airborne Infantry, and is in Fort Benning, Georgia right now going thru training. My heart hurts, knowing that he could be involved in the up-coming war in the Middle East, but I know this is what he wants to do, and although I worry, I am very proud he wants to serve his country as you did.

A million thanks to you and your men Col., for saving the world, so I myself, my children, and future generations could be free. You, my father, and your generation, are the only real true heroes I will ever get to meet, and for that, I am most deeply greatful.

Sincerely,

Mark Oxley, Georgia
Bert Schreibstein 14-Dec-2002 12:32
Bob,
This is the first opportunity I have had to view your website and pictures. As you know my father, (then Lieutenant) Robert Schreibstein, served with you in the 56th Signal Battalion during WWII. He retired from the Army in 1964 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, serving with many units after WWII, but only spoke about the soldiers of the 56th and their adventures across Europe. Though I cannot remember the names of the particular soldiers of his platoon, he did mention that his platoon of the 56th was the first to establish telephone communications across the Rhein River at the Remagen Bridgehead. When establishing telephone communications for the 5th Corps his platoon would used existing German telephone cables. Frequently when ringing down the circuits, his communication teams would connect to the Berlin and other major city switchboards. In their limited German they would announce to the German switchboard operator, "The American Army is on our way and we will be there soon". My father always looked forward to the 56th Signal Battalion Reunions after the war. I finally had the privledge to attend Wheeling WV reunion in the late 1980's with him and met the "legends" he spoke about for all those years. Bob, thank you for taking the WWII pictures, thank you for taking the picture of my father posted on your website, thank you for being a good friend to my father, and thank you for attending his burial at Arlington National Cemetery in September 2002.
Bert Schreibstein, LTC(ret) US Army Signal Corps, Herndon VA
Richard J. Beck 12-Dec-2002 16:48
It ia great to see what a WWII veteran can do on this modern age of computers. I haven't reached your level of composing such a photographic history. I have log it in my computer as a favorite place to visit.
My youngest son, Richard A Beck in Houston, Texas found your site and forward it to me. I will forward it to some of my WWII friends.

I was a Pilot(C-47) in England, France and Germany from Nov. 1944 to April 1946.
I have some interesting pictures of those years. I hope to send some of them to you. I was in Dreux, France, Berlin and Erding, Germany.
I also participated as a glider co-pilot in the Rhine crossing at Wesel, Germany on March 24,1945.
Richard J. Beck 12-Dec-2002 16:45
It ia great to see what a WWII veteran can do on this modern age of computers. I haven't reached your level of composing such a photographic history of your WW2 experiences. I have log it in my computer as a favorite place to visit.
My youngest son, Richard A Beck in Houston, Texas found your site and forward it to me. I will forward it to some of my WWII friends.

I was a Pilot(C-47) in England, France and Germany from Nov. 1944 to April 1946.
I have some interesting pictures of those years. I hope to send some of them to you for your interest. I was in Dreux, France, Berlin and Erding, Germany.
Also participated as aglider co-pilot in the Rhine crossing at Wesel, Germanmy.
John Lumb 25-Nov-2002 22:22
Bob,

As many others have said thankyou for your bravery. I am lucky that both grandparents and parent survived both wars (not without scars) many didnt it serves as a reminder to my children what you did. We holiday regularly in Normandy etc and happened to be on Omaha beech on the 50th anniversary quiet by mistake (I wanted to show my son the beach landing areas) I was moved beyond all words after seeing the distance from sea to beach head and can only imagine the hell that went on during those days.
I currently live in an ex US Army hse in Middlesex which army officers from SHAEF HQ lived and worked from it was very strange to see letters from this area I know so well.
Thanks to you and all the allies.

John
Humbled 20-Nov-2002 22:41
Thank you for fighting that war. Many Germans today often forget how much we owe to the United States. (and the luck of living, or our parents living in the right sector)I grew up free and not a brainwashed Nazi. Thank you again.
Both of my grandfathers fought in that war, both were teenagers when they were drafted. One was POW for long time, the other lost a brother in Stalingrad and ran away from the Russian Front in 1945, made it all the way back home, lived in the woods for months, until the Americans came and got rid of the local Nazis.
I am not shopping for sympathy. When I was a kid, later a teenager and started to discover what had happened I looked for years for answers as to the why. I confronted both of my grandparents with juvenile indignation. I got a lot of answers. To my horror I had to realise that if I had been there I would probably have been no different then them.
Your pictures are moving, the Konzentration Camp pictures especially, we should never forget.
Greg Durrett 20-Nov-2002 08:02
Very well put together set of images. Something to view again and again. My favorites are the portraits of your comrades in arms - each one has a distinct personality that comes through in the photo.

My hat's off to you sir, thank you for your efforts on behalf of our country.

Greg Durrett
Adam 10-Nov-2002 12:37
Mr. Searl:

Fascinating. Thank you for sharing this piece of history with us!
Adam
Dave Wyman 01-Nov-2002 03:36
Bob,

Thanks so much for putting these pictures together. The Second World War wasn't "my" war - Vietnam was - but I grew up with stories about WWII, told by my dad, who served in the Army-Air Corp and spent time in England, and from movies, t.v.s shows, and books. Your pictures - now ancient images projected in a new way - are very evocative of that terrible, but in some ways wonderful time.

Thanks again,

Dave Wyman
Alan Kartsounes 02-Aug-2002 04:20
Dear Bob,
I couldn't believe my eyes! My Father, Nick Kartsounes, in your pictures of Germany. My Father never forgot those years and the men he served with. He would often talk about the war, being in the Invasion of Normandy, France, Germany, England, Belgum and all over Europe. Kidding my Mom, Carolyn, telling her it was the best honeymoon anyone could ask for, if only she would have been with. My Father received European-African-Middle Eastern Theather Ribbon w/1 Silver Battle Star, Bronze Service Arrowhead, 4 Overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart w/1st Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.
My Father was my Hero, along with all the rest of the men and women that fought in WWII.
Nick Kartsounes, my Father, pased away on April 16, 2001, at the age of 78, after loosing his wife of 57 years, Carolyn, 76, who passed away on July 6, 2000, nine months earlier.
My Father was born in Chicago, and lived in the area his whole life.
Thank You for the fantastic photos, I believe I have more taken at the same time from my Dad.
Oscar 30-Jul-2002 21:36
Mr. Searl,

Your photographs truly speak the spirit and desolation of what it is to be in war. I applaud your commitment to record moments, events and
situations that built the world we know today.

I also recognize that this invaluable collection of images is, to my personal opinion, the most genuine legacy I have seen of war episodes
during that time. Thank you for sharing.

Oscar (www.pbase.com/z0pht)
25 yrs, Mexico
Guest 11-Jun-2002 05:26
Mr. Searl,

Thank you. Thank you for defending our country, for taking so many
phenomenal images, and for posting them on the web for all to see.

Best regards,
fish
John A. Scarlett 09-Jun-2002 12:23
Goodness! You saw it all, didn't you? Can't imagine how this changed your life. What did you do after the war? Thanks for sharing these incredible images (which, by the way, got better as the war went on ... did you get a new camera or just better processing?). Chip Scarlett
Lester Ledesma 28-May-2002 12:32
Dear Sir,

As a 27-year-old photographer, it feels weird to be staring a images of folks my age from another time and who lived under vastly different circumstances. If I was born earlier, I might have been "one of these guys". Your gallery gave me a lot to think about. Thanks for posting it. Wishing you all the best!
silvio bichisecchi 21-May-2002 15:26
Dear Bob, congratulation for your fine collection of WWII images, this is a great presentation of photos that tell an important story, all young people should see it. I am 54 years of age and originally from Florence, Italy. On my photo site http://www.pbase.com/sbichisecchi/vecchi_tempi look for a b/w photo titled "disperazione", it is my mother in Florence moments after they learned that the allied troups had taken Rome. My father, tongue in cheek comment, describes her as 'desperate', see for yourself ;-)

Thank you and thank your generation of americans for having given Europe liberty once again.

silvio
Jean-Luc 13-May-2002 05:29
thanks bob

feel free to contact me when you'll come to france, it will be a real pleasure for me to be your guide.

Jean-Luc
Bob Searl, Sr. 12-May-2002 17:30
Jean-Luc, Thank you for your very kind words about my gallery and you expression of gratitude for our participation in the times of 1944-45, both in your country and other parts of Europe. These are times that I will never forget and perhaps one day I may see the beautiful parts of Normandy that were denied us. I have reviewed your your photo galleries and they are very well done. I especially enjoyed the Wedding photos. My best regards from USA...Bob Searl
Jean-Luc 12-May-2002 13:42
I was not born when you were defending my country, and i would've probably not if you and your friends did not fight and die for freedom in europe.

thank you for that. many people here need to be remembered what can happen when we don't care to others.

Jean Luc, from France
Georgia Roessler 11-May-2002 18:19
Thanks so much for the incredible documentation of history you have posted here---and for your unfailing patriotism and steadfast dedication to duty. Where would we be today without guys like you!! A mere "thanks" is hardly enough!
Georgia
Anne Bologna 03-May-2002 15:26
Wow! This is really something.........gosh thanks you for the veiwing I can appreciate all the work you have put into this, I myself am 54 reminds me of the movie Pt. Ryan from the movie Tom Hanks had made. I am new to this site and just bought a new Canon D60. So.... again Thanks, Anne Bologna from Lexington Ky. or annabanana3@insightbb.com
Steven Lee 18-Apr-2002 19:46
Hi Bob,

These are priceless pictures. It reminds me of the mini-series movies 'The Band Of Brothers' recently shown in my country.

Cheers,
Steven