DoubleTrouble
Member
- May 26, 2000
- 138
- 0
Sixty years ago a young South African soldier fought bravely in Tobruk, North Africa, but was wounded and overrun by the German army. The ambulance taking him for medical attention was stopped and he was shipped off to Italy to a prisoner of war camp.
Two years later, when Italy fell, he escaped and made his frost-bitten way through the snow covered Italian alps to the Allied front only to be recaptured by the retreating Germans. His punishment was severe and he was sent to a P.O.W. camp just outside Munich.
Conditions were extremely harsh and for more than a year he suffered as Germany slowly succumbed to the Allied attack. He was about to be shipped off with other P.O.W.s to Berlin to form a human barrier for Hitler but thankfully the quickly advancing American's liberated him.
That young soldier is my father, Christopher William Dennill. Today at 83 he is in his final battle. A battle against cancer and time. The battle against the cancer is lost and his time is short. He is one of a few surviving World War 2 veterans but soon all that will remain will be memories. He is currently at Medi-Clinic, Pietermaritzburg, engaged in his last battle.
I write this letter as a tribute to my father and all those forgotten souls who put their lives on the line for liberty. The past National Party government, as supporters of Germanys National Socialist regime, (Nazi's), released convicted war criminals after they took power in 1948 and denied him any war benefits and the current government seeks only to recognize those who fought in the 'struggle'. Even Italian WWII vets living in South Africa receive their benefits and recognition.
In spite of this my father is not bitter and does not hold a grudge against the Germans, Italians, Japanese or Afrikaaners. He taught me the meaning of forgiveness. He taught me what was good and what was evil. He taught me that no race was superior to another. He taught me humanity.
He is a true son of Africa, a true hero of whom I am very proud. He may not have received any recognition, or wanted any, but he will always be my hero.
Two years later, when Italy fell, he escaped and made his frost-bitten way through the snow covered Italian alps to the Allied front only to be recaptured by the retreating Germans. His punishment was severe and he was sent to a P.O.W. camp just outside Munich.
Conditions were extremely harsh and for more than a year he suffered as Germany slowly succumbed to the Allied attack. He was about to be shipped off with other P.O.W.s to Berlin to form a human barrier for Hitler but thankfully the quickly advancing American's liberated him.
That young soldier is my father, Christopher William Dennill. Today at 83 he is in his final battle. A battle against cancer and time. The battle against the cancer is lost and his time is short. He is one of a few surviving World War 2 veterans but soon all that will remain will be memories. He is currently at Medi-Clinic, Pietermaritzburg, engaged in his last battle.
I write this letter as a tribute to my father and all those forgotten souls who put their lives on the line for liberty. The past National Party government, as supporters of Germanys National Socialist regime, (Nazi's), released convicted war criminals after they took power in 1948 and denied him any war benefits and the current government seeks only to recognize those who fought in the 'struggle'. Even Italian WWII vets living in South Africa receive their benefits and recognition.
In spite of this my father is not bitter and does not hold a grudge against the Germans, Italians, Japanese or Afrikaaners. He taught me the meaning of forgiveness. He taught me what was good and what was evil. He taught me that no race was superior to another. He taught me humanity.
He is a true son of Africa, a true hero of whom I am very proud. He may not have received any recognition, or wanted any, but he will always be my hero.
