Children of War

Esteban_cool · 10-16-2009, 09:36 PM

From the newest articles of englishrussia. I became quite moved by the pictures.

Did these kids really engage in combat or these pictures were taken for propaganda purposes?
I´ve heard that there were "Regiment sons", who had uniforms tailored for them to wear and were taken care by the troops, but I´m unsure of this as I have never seen evidence of this.

English Russia � Children of War

P.S: If this thread is inappropriate, please delete it.

Lapa · 10-17-2009, 02:17 AM

Esteban,

This is not propaganda, and I have personally known one of them.

A former girlfriend's father was one of those kids. He followed his father in 1941 (sorry, I don't remember the exact circumstances of why and how that happened); when his father was killed in action in the vicinity of Vyborg (toward the end of 1942), the unit decided to care for him.
After the war, he stayed in the army, eventually rising to the rank of Major-General of tanks. A couple of years ago, he was still alive, although severely ill with Alzheimer.

Marc

***desantnik*** · 10-17-2009, 03:49 AM

I only heard of boys adopted by military units (maybe girls were too?). Judging from the decorations it seems some of the children fought.

I would not agree with the assertion that all of the children pictured at this site were combatants. Some just dressed in military clothes because that was all that was available, the girls wearing the medal were probably Leningrad siege survivors (not combatants), etc. Even some of the adopted boys pictured in military units may have just been given a uniform to be the unit's mascot, but didn't or weren't expected to fight.

EricFG · 10-17-2009, 07:21 AM

Cool site! Thanks for the heads-up.

Norm Braddock · 10-17-2009, 08:57 AM

Interesting site Esteban-thank you for posting it.

Would it be safe to say that life with a military unit would be a great deal better than an orphanage? You would have plenty of dads and uncles to look after you and you would be treated very well.

I could be wrong but would it not be almost impossible for some of the young lads to lift/fire a loaded PPsh-just wondering.

Commissar · 10-17-2009, 09:13 AM

Oh, I love this website, so many interesting things.

Well, if they raise morale of the soldiers its a good thing?
If not children, I've heard of Soviet units taking pets as their mascots, such as dogs and cats.

Esteban_cool · 10-17-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commissar

If not children, I've heard of Soviet units taking pets as their mascots, such as dogs and cats.

Yes, I´ve heard that too. There is the "reenactor dealer in Ukraine" who sells an allegedly "son of regiment" uniform. That´s how the doubt appeared.

Talking about pets, here´s another interesting picture; a puppy from a Borderguards platoon.

ANZAC · 10-19-2009, 12:20 AM

A recent find.

Brendan

10-16-2009, 09:36 PM	#1
Esteban_cool Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Santiago, Chile Age: 36 Posts: 1,103	Children of War From the newest articles of englishrussia. I became quite moved by the pictures. Did these kids really engage in combat or these pictures were taken for propaganda purposes? I´ve heard that there were "Regiment sons", who had uniforms tailored for them to wear and were taken care by the troops, but I´m unsure of this as I have never seen evidence of this. English Russia � Children of War P.S: If this thread is inappropriate, please delete it. __________________ There's nothing in the streets Looks any different to me And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye And the parting on the left Are now parting on the right And the beards have all grown longer overnight The Who, Won't get fooled again

10-17-2009, 02:17 AM	#2
Lapa Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: St Petersburg, Russia Age: 63 Posts: 2,397	Re: Children of War Esteban, This is not propaganda, and I have personally known one of them. A former girlfriend's father was one of those kids. He followed his father in 1941 (sorry, I don't remember the exact circumstances of why and how that happened); when his father was killed in action in the vicinity of Vyborg (toward the end of 1942), the unit decided to care for him. After the war, he stayed in the army, eventually rising to the rank of Major-General of tanks. A couple of years ago, he was still alive, although severely ill with Alzheimer. Marc

10-17-2009, 03:49 AM	#3
*desantnik* Forum Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Eurasia Posts: 2,340	Re: Children of War I only heard of boys adopted by military units (maybe girls were too?). Judging from the decorations it seems some of the children fought. I would not agree with the assertion that all of the children pictured at this site were combatants. Some just dressed in military clothes because that was all that was available, the girls wearing the medal were probably Leningrad siege survivors (not combatants), etc. Even some of the adopted boys pictured in military units may have just been given a uniform to be the unit's mascot, but didn't or weren't expected to fight.

10-17-2009, 07:21 AM	#4
EricFG Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naples, Florida, USA Age: 59 Posts: 1,496	Re: Children of War Cool site! Thanks for the heads-up. __________________ "patina imparts character" - PJS A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'

10-17-2009, 08:57 AM	#5
Norm Braddock Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Age: 61 Posts: 209	Re: Children of War Interesting site Esteban-thank you for posting it. Would it be safe to say that life with a military unit would be a great deal better than an orphanage? You would have plenty of dads and uncles to look after you and you would be treated very well. I could be wrong but would it not be almost impossible for some of the young lads to lift/fire a loaded PPsh-just wondering.

10-17-2009, 09:13 AM	#6
Commissar Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 424	Re: Children of War Oh, I love this website, so many interesting things. Well, if they raise morale of the soldiers its a good thing? If not children, I've heard of Soviet units taking pets as their mascots, such as dogs and cats.

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