Anybody in here like WW2

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If history is philosophy by example then WW2 is an enriching read. Socialization via indoctrination and circumstance can produce some abhorrent behavior. Usually, one can appeal to soldiers following orders but with Nanking the action appears to have been fairly spontaneous, that localized soldiers (possibly under command) started the rapes and murders and the idea just caught on and everyone took part without specific orders being issued.

It interests me because people usually conceive of morality as something intrinsically part of humanity, that everyone can choose to follow or not. These examples suggest to me that moral actions (be it doing something that today we would judge 'good' or 'bad') are largely just product of socialization, certainly that our natural instincts play a secondary role in forming our moral feelings.

My Dad was a Naval Lieutenant in the South Pacific, serving as assistant gunnery officer on the light cruiser Atlanta (sunk at Guadalcanal) and gunnery officer on her sister ship, the Oakland. I have some mementos of his - a 5" shell casing from the Oakland (which my stepmother made him cut down to be a table-top ashtray - it had been a floor ashtray when full-size), his officer's hat, and a few other things from then.

I have the 14-volume book set "History of US Naval Operations in WWII," which I admit I've never read.

I do love to watch history shows about the war.

My grandpa.

He fought in Germany and stole some motorbikes and a couple of relics from a castle that had been destroyed.

Wish I could remember all the exact details he had told me. Might have to look through his stuff and see what all he's got.

My grandad told me a lot about the war, and about the Cold War too. I wish I could remember the stuff he told me, he's dead now.

Indeed I do, the user name might indicate an aspect I'm particularly interested in too....

Glide planes?

The only thing I like about that era are the games that are set in that time. Such as Call of Duty, Medal of Hono(u)r. There are other games in that era that I am yet to play. However I choose to use the German rifle and SMG. The KAR98K and the MP40 or 44.

Indeed, one battalion of the local Regiment were roled as Airlanding troops for the better part of the war, my favourite little bit of history.

I don't collect anything but I love to read or watch documentaries about it. Two of my great uncles had fought in it. One in the Navy. The other in the Army - he was awarded a Purple Heart. Had the honour to skydive with a whole bunch of WW 2 vets back in 1985. I'll never forget it. The comradery and humour amongst these guys was wonderful. My son has just returned from Iraq alive and well!