Validity of the reputations of the Russian and German militaries during WWII

bladerunner said:

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Well I got that impression when a member of the Indian diplomatic staff was interviewed after attending the "Anzac Day" commemoration.. last year.I can only suggest that he must have been referring to the overall Indian casulties in WW1 (108.000) when compared to that of N.Z.(73.000)

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However I cant see why India cant commemorate its war dead, even though it was in the service of another country.

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the deal between British Empire and "British" India was simple, India provides manpower for the wars in Europe and at the end of it India gets independence

for this reason India fought in European wars, also in Asia against Imperial Japan in Burma etc

India had no desire to send its forces to fight in a European war, and it isnt exactly very proud that it did that since at the end of the day India was wanting to kick the British out of India anyway

many many times Indian divisions refused to fight against Ottoman Empire in WWI, especially in the Iraq campaign, since it was muslim vs muslim, many Indian muslims had alot of respect for Ottomans and were allies during past centurys, Ottomans and Mughuals and could never see each other going into war with each other

it is because of this refusal by Indian muslims which came from the todays regions of modern day Pakistan that in Turkish schools it is taught to all Turkish childrens as part of Turkish curriculum that Pakistan is the true friend of Turkey and no one else, a testimont is the Ataturk Avenue in Islamabad

how did Pakistan Air Force manage to fly F16s under sanctions for 2 decades? they came from Turkish airospace industrys

The reputation of Soviet soldiers was not only bad in Germany or Austria but also for example in Romania, Croatia and China. In the case of China the same soldiers who looted and raped accross eastern Europe would do so again in Manchuria in August and September of 1945. Originally the Chinese Population had welcomed them, but the mood changed once the bad behaviour was seen.

On China see for example the book:
The Battle for Manchuria and the Fate of China: Siping, 1946

suby68 said:

The reputation of Soviet soldiers was not only bad in Germany or Austria but also for example in Romania, Croatia and China. In the case of China the same soldiers who looted and raped accross eastern Europe would do so again in Manchuria in August and September of 1945. Originally the Chinese Population had welcomed them, but the mood changed once the bad behaviour was seen.

On China see for example the book:
The Battle for Manchuria and the Fate of China: Siping, 1946

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The question is not - were there accusation of bad behaviour against the Soviet soldiers - but where these accusations based on reported generalized bad behaviour or on propaganda.

Take these two anecdotes:
A US army officer raped and killed a 16 year old girl in England in 1944 and was sentenced to six weeks prison.
A black US Army soldier also in 1944 couldn't pay an English prostitute two pound, he had only one, and was sentenced for rape to be executed. That gave scandal in England and his life was saved by General Eisenhower a few weeks later.
With such anecdotes you can represent the reputation of the US Army anyway you like.

I recommend to travel there and ask. In Europe many cities in France or Italy celebrate the day when US troops arrived and streets are named after the day they arrived. Now go to Poland or Northern China and find a similar case of just one city where the arrival of the Red Army is celebrated. Good luck.

Today not many survivers are alive but I was in Manchuria in 1985 and worked there later on several occasions. Somehow not once was I told by an older local inhabitant how happy the day was when the Red Army arrived. Guess what my conclusion is?

Have you ever gone there and asked?