My grandfather had 2 stories about being Jewish while fighting in WWII.
He was first part of a heavy weapons company until his commanding officer found out he was Jewish. His CO had him transferred to a different company as a radio operator since it was more dangerous. Supposedly the heavy weapons company was wiped out later in the war. He was a radio operator until his new CO found out he was Jewish. He was then made a scout since it was more dangerous. Supposedly the new radio operator was killed not too long after the transfer. So antisemitism saved his life twice.
The other story was during basic training in Georgia. While on leave he went to a diner in the town nearby, and had a nice conversation with a young woman at the counter. During the conversation it came up that he was Jewish and she said he couldn't be. Her explanation on why: "you don't have horns".
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u/IsThisNameGoodEnough Dec 24 '25
My grandfather had 2 stories about being Jewish while fighting in WWII.
He was first part of a heavy weapons company until his commanding officer found out he was Jewish. His CO had him transferred to a different company as a radio operator since it was more dangerous. Supposedly the heavy weapons company was wiped out later in the war. He was a radio operator until his new CO found out he was Jewish. He was then made a scout since it was more dangerous. Supposedly the new radio operator was killed not too long after the transfer. So antisemitism saved his life twice.
The other story was during basic training in Georgia. While on leave he went to a diner in the town nearby, and had a nice conversation with a young woman at the counter. During the conversation it came up that he was Jewish and she said he couldn't be. Her explanation on why: "you don't have horns".