Magnum Mania!

Yes. My dad was a WWII vet (82nd AB, Battle of the Bulge) and his favorite car was a VW Karmann Ghia. He also had a Audi.

Also yes. My grandfather was at Juno Beach Normandy with the Royal Canadian Engineers. He was injured when a mine exploded behind him in a minefield the unit was clearing. He had back problems for the rest of his life. He never talked about it that I heard, but my dad told me that is where and how he was hurt. I don't know much more, unfortunately. They're both gone now. A cousin in Canada I'm not close with has his belongings from the war, I think.

Anyway, he had a VW bus when I was a little boy in the 70's and he and my grandmother lived here in SoCal for a few years. Today I have a 31-year old VW Westfalia camper van myself.

My grandfather was a WWII vet and he bought a VW Bug when he retired from the Air Force. For the last 30 or so years of his life he drove Toyotas exclusively.

Looking for a pair of Pumas recently and discovered the founder for Puma and Adidas were Nazis! Higgins would have probably known the full history of these events, was maybe even there....lol And that last quote in the article is pretty important as well. "Although both brothers were affiliated with the Nazi party their membership should always be put in context. In a time where non-cooperation with the regime could lead to death, the brothers’ collaboration with the Nationalist Socialist becomes much more understandable and even justifiable considering the odds they faced if they did not comply." https://medium.com/history-of-yesterday ... 617aad8b00

☨magnum.t wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:58 pm Looking for a pair of Pumas recently and discovered the founder for Puma and Adidas were Nazis! Higgins would have probably known the full history of these events, was maybe even there....lol And that last quote in the article is pretty important as well. "Although both brothers were affiliated with the Nazi party their membership should always be put in context. In a time where non-cooperation with the regime could lead to death, the brothers’ collaboration with the Nationalist Socialist becomes much more understandable and even justifiable considering the odds they faced if they did not comply." https://medium.com/history-of-yesterday ... 617aad8b00

Hugo Boss manufactured Nazi uniforms as well . . . there's definitely a complicated situation there when one has to find a way to survive in dark times.

Hello everyone! I've been very busy lately! Mainly work in the house, the COVID crisis and the family!

As to whether or not our dear Higgins would have been disgusted by German luxury cars in 1980, I think not.

Indeed, over the course of the episodes, this character has always demonstrated his ability to put things into perspective and take a step back. I think he would have had more difficulty with Japanese cars (Rick is careful when you park your Datsun on the flower boxes !!) considering his painful past as a prisoner in Burma (previous reference to the Kwai River Bridge, if i am not mistaken).

After all, everything is relative, my grandfather, who was also a veteran of 1940 Battle of France, couldn't bear to see German tourists in a VW van driving along Britanny's coast ...

Gorilla Mask wrote: ↑Fri Feb 19, 2021 12:52 pm Indeed, over the course of the episodes, this character has always demonstrated his ability to put things into perspective and take a step back. I think he would have had more difficulty with Japanese cars (Rick is careful when you park your Datsun on the flower boxes !!) considering his painful past as a prisoner in Burma (previous reference to the Kwai River Bridge, if i am not mistaken).

Good point! Welcome back.

Pahonu wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2019 5:49 pm My grandfather was at Juno Beach Normandy with the Royal Canadian Engineers.

My grandfather was there with the Canadians too! One of the few war correspondents to come ashore that day. Small world.

Styles Bitchley wrote: ↑Sat Feb 20, 2021 6:03 pm

Gorilla Mask wrote: ↑Fri Feb 19, 2021 12:52 pm Indeed, over the course of the episodes, this character has always demonstrated his ability to put things into perspective and take a step back. I think he would have had more difficulty with Japanese cars (Rick is careful when you park your Datsun on the flower boxes !!) considering his painful past as a prisoner in Burma (previous reference to the Kwai River Bridge, if i am not mistaken).

Good point! Welcome back.

Pahonu wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2019 5:49 pm My grandfather was at Juno Beach Normandy with the Royal Canadian Engineers.

My grandfather was there with the Canadians too! One of the few war correspondents to come ashore that day. Small world.

Small world indeed!

Gorilla Mask wrote: ↑Fri Feb 19, 2021 12:52 pm Hello everyone! I've been very busy lately! Mainly work in the house, the COVID crisis and the family!

As to whether or not our dear Higgins would have been disgusted by German luxury cars in 1980, I think not.

Indeed, over the course of the episodes, this character has always demonstrated his ability to put things into perspective and take a step back. I think he would have had more difficulty with Japanese cars (Rick is careful when you park your Datsun on the flower boxes !!) considering his painful past as a prisoner in Burma (previous reference to the Kwai River Bridge, if i am not mistaken).

After all, everything is relative, my grandfather, who was also a veteran of 1940 Battle of France, couldn't bear to see German tourists in a VW van driving along Britanny's coast ...

Higgins seems to have quite a number of Japanese friends. I don’t think he’d have an issue with Japanese cars.

K Hale wrote: ↑Sat Feb 20, 2021 8:29 pm

Gorilla Mask wrote: ↑Fri Feb 19, 2021 12:52 pm Hello everyone! I've been very busy lately! Mainly work in the house, the COVID crisis and the family!

As to whether or not our dear Higgins would have been disgusted by German luxury cars in 1980, I think not.

Indeed, over the course of the episodes, this character has always demonstrated his ability to put things into perspective and take a step back. I think he would have had more difficulty with Japanese cars (Rick is careful when you park your Datsun on the flower boxes !!) considering his painful past as a prisoner in Burma (previous reference to the Kwai River Bridge, if i am not mistaken).

After all, everything is relative, my grandfather, who was also a veteran of 1940 Battle of France, couldn't bear to see German tourists in a VW van driving along Britanny's coast ...

Higgins seems to have quite a number of Japanese friends. I don’t think he’d have an issue with Japanese cars.

He even speaks Japanese, doesn't he?

Didn't know much about my maternal grandfather. I was seven years old when he died. I would have to ask my mother for more details, who I think kept his letters from the time he was a prisoner in Germany.

I seem to remember that he was taken prisoner very quickly in the early days of the offensive (may 1940) and the 'Race to the Sea' which ended in Dunkirk.

He then spent more than four years to rot in a forced labor Stalag (attached to the Arado factories, I recall).

I also know that he testified about the Nazi bad treatments in these camps and that he represented the French prisoners of war at the Nuremberg trial in 1946 (he was a professionnal lawyer too).

I would have to look for more details. It's all in a big oak chest somewhere...

This story aside, All things considered, it is highly probable that Higgins would have had enough wisdom and composure to consider that Japan of the 80s does not have to bear the blame (shame should suffice...) for the horrors of the fanatical militarism of a bygone era...

Styles Bitchley wrote: ↑Sat Feb 20, 2021 8:58 pm

K Hale wrote: ↑Sat Feb 20, 2021 8:29 pm

Gorilla Mask wrote: ↑Fri Feb 19, 2021 12:52 pm Hello everyone! I've been very busy lately! Mainly work in the house, the COVID crisis and the family!

As to whether or not our dear Higgins would have been disgusted by German luxury cars in 1980, I think not.

Indeed, over the course of the episodes, this character has always demonstrated his ability to put things into perspective and take a step back. I think he would have had more difficulty with Japanese cars (Rick is careful when you park your Datsun on the flower boxes !!) considering his painful past as a prisoner in Burma (previous reference to the Kwai River Bridge, if i am not mistaken).

After all, everything is relative, my grandfather, who was also a veteran of 1940 Battle of France, couldn't bear to see German tourists in a VW van driving along Britanny's coast ...

Higgins seems to have quite a number of Japanese friends. I don’t think he’d have an issue with Japanese cars.

He even speaks Japanese, doesn't he?

He’s fluent in many languages, including Japanese!

K Hale wrote: ↑Sun Feb 21, 2021 6:34 pm He’s fluent in many languages, including Japanese!

He also speaks Mandarin. He once taught "Oriental languages", didn't he?
(...or am I thinking of the Jack Hawkins character in "Bridge on the River Kwai?")

Gorilla Mask wrote: ↑Sun Feb 21, 2021 9:30 am I also know that he testified about the Nazi bad treatments in these camps and that he represented the French prisoners of war at the Nuremberg trial in 1946 (he was a professionnal lawyer too).

Hey, my same grandfather covered the Nuremberg trials as a journalist after the war. Perhaps they brushed shoulders.

Styles Bitchley wrote: ↑Sun Feb 21, 2021 7:20 pm

Gorilla Mask wrote: ↑Sun Feb 21, 2021 9:30 am I also know that he testified about the Nazi bad treatments in these camps and that he represented the French prisoners of war at the Nuremberg trial in 1946 (he was a professionnal lawyer too).

Hey, my same grandfather covered the Nuremberg trials as a journalist after the war. Perhaps they brushed shoulders.

That is a wonderful opportunity, Styles ! My grandfather's name was Paul Georges Le-Friec: maybe you could find out some archive about him. All his souvenirs are held by my Aunt. I should ask her.