| Caption | US Army Captain Earl Topley looking at a German soldier who had killed three of his men before his own death, Cherbourg, France, 27 Jun 1944 ww2dbase | |||||
| Photographer | Unknown | |||||
| Source | ww2dbaseWikimedia Commons | |||||
| Link to Source | Link | |||||
| Identification Code | ARC 531214 | |||||
| More on... |
| |||||
| Photo Size | 1,247 x 974 pixels | |||||
| Photos on Same Day | 27 Jun 1944 | |||||
| Photos at Same Place | Cherbourg, Basse-Normandie, France | |||||
| Added By | C. Peter Chen | |||||
| Licensing | This work is believed to be in the public domain. Please contact us regarding any inaccuracies with the above information. Thank you. |
Did you enjoy this photograph or find this photograph helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you. Share this photograph with your friends: Stay updated with WW2DB: |
Visitor Submitted Comments
2. Travis Gershaneck says:
27 Jun 2010 09:22:11 PM
I wonder if he was caught sleeping..
27 Jun 2010 09:22:11 PM
I wonder if he was caught sleeping..
3. Paul L James says:
27 Jun 2010 09:41:11 PM
Capt. Earl Topley, who led one of the first outfits into Cherbourg, standing over a dead German soldier, one of "last stand" defenders of the German-held city & who Topley held responsible for killing 3 of his boys. 27th June 1944.
27 Jun 2010 09:41:11 PM
Capt. Earl Topley, who led one of the first outfits into Cherbourg, standing over a dead German soldier, one of "last stand" defenders of the German-held city & who Topley held responsible for killing 3 of his boys. 27th June 1944.
4. Rafael J. Azanza says:
28 Jun 2010 03:38:11 AM
He's a dead NAZI soldier. No tears.
28 Jun 2010 03:38:11 AM
He's a dead NAZI soldier. No tears.
5. 
Alan Chanter says:
28 Jun 2010 04:28:11 AM
He was still someone's Son, Father, Brother or Husband who paid the ultimate price doing his duty for his Country. Show some respect, Moron.
Alan Chanter says:28 Jun 2010 04:28:11 AM
He was still someone's Son, Father, Brother or Husband who paid the ultimate price doing his duty for his Country. Show some respect, Moron.
6. Ken Lang says:
28 Jun 2010 09:14:11 AM
In the end, troops don't fight and die for mother, country and vague ideals. They do it for that other poor SOB standing along side of them.
28 Jun 2010 09:14:11 AM
In the end, troops don't fight and die for mother, country and vague ideals. They do it for that other poor SOB standing along side of them.
7. hal dudash says:
28 Jun 2011 09:42:51 AM
I don't know why someone would assume you are making fun of a soldier and death.
I think we need to show more of these - perhaps we won't enter into war so quickly.
28 Jun 2011 09:42:51 AM
I don't know why someone would assume you are making fun of a soldier and death.
I think we need to show more of these - perhaps we won't enter into war so quickly.
8. Bill says:
16 Sep 2011 09:46:09 PM
VICTIS HONOR:
HONOR THE VANQUISHED. POLITICIANS SPEAK OF HONOR AND COURAGE, AND ITS ALWAYS THE BRAVE
ONES WHO DIE, THE SOLDIERS...
Bill says:16 Sep 2011 09:46:09 PM
VICTIS HONOR:
HONOR THE VANQUISHED. POLITICIANS SPEAK OF HONOR AND COURAGE, AND ITS ALWAYS THE BRAVE
ONES WHO DIE, THE SOLDIERS...
9. Bill says:
17 Sep 2011 10:40:10 AM
"IF YOU HAVE SEEN ONE DAY OF WAR, YOU PRAY TO GOD THAT YOU WOULD NEVER SEE ANOTHER"
WHO'S SON, BROTHER, FATHER, UNCLE, HUSBAND?
Bill says:17 Sep 2011 10:40:10 AM
"IF YOU HAVE SEEN ONE DAY OF WAR, YOU PRAY TO GOD THAT YOU WOULD NEVER SEE ANOTHER"
WHO'S SON, BROTHER, FATHER, UNCLE, HUSBAND?
10. Bing says:
18 Nov 2011 03:19:13 AM
If your family experienced members - civilians- brutally killed by soldiers like that, you do not shed a tear for them. My family did, several aunts and uncles of mine. Iam a Senior, and I say there were soldiers on the good side and soldiers on the evil side. That was not just any war, there really were good guys and bad guys in that war. No tears for that guy.
18 Nov 2011 03:19:13 AM
If your family experienced members - civilians- brutally killed by soldiers like that, you do not shed a tear for them. My family did, several aunts and uncles of mine. Iam a Senior, and I say there were soldiers on the good side and soldiers on the evil side. That was not just any war, there really were good guys and bad guys in that war. No tears for that guy.
11. Kilo FAR says:
3 Dec 2013 05:23:10 PM
He was following orders u moron.
3 Dec 2013 05:23:10 PM
He was following orders u moron.
12. PM says:
27 Jun 2014 04:56:43 PM
You're so right Alan!
27 Jun 2014 04:56:43 PM
You're so right Alan!
13. Anonymous says:
27 Jun 2014 07:19:24 PM
Rest in peace brother, you did your job well...
27 Jun 2014 07:19:24 PM
Rest in peace brother, you did your job well...
14. Anonymous says:
28 Jun 2014 04:42:45 AM
Some people appear to know that this soldier was a member of NSDAP?
28 Jun 2014 04:42:45 AM
Some people appear to know that this soldier was a member of NSDAP?
15. Anonymous says:
28 Jun 2014 07:07:07 PM
Ah, regardless of his affiliation with the NSDAP, he sure as hell was defending the NSDAP.
28 Jun 2014 07:07:07 PM
Ah, regardless of his affiliation with the NSDAP, he sure as hell was defending the NSDAP.
16. Charles Phillips says:
30 Sep 2014 11:31:05 PM
Earl Topley was my grandfather, he was in his 40's when he went in a non-drinker. I remember him as a binge functional drinker who had to drink himself to sleep at times. War is never pretty. His men were having to deal with German children shooting at them. He endured much, I miss him.
30 Sep 2014 11:31:05 PM
Earl Topley was my grandfather, he was in his 40's when he went in a non-drinker. I remember him as a binge functional drinker who had to drink himself to sleep at times. War is never pretty. His men were having to deal with German children shooting at them. He endured much, I miss him.
17. Bill says:
15 Dec 2014 07:48:57 PM
"IN WAR THERE ARE NO UNWOUNDED SOLDIERS"
IN VIETNAM I'VE SEEN DEAD VC AND NVA THEY WERE SO YOUNG, AND THEY WERE THE SAME AGE AS ME.
IN 1967 I WAS 20 YEARS OLD AFTER TWO-TOURS IN VIETNAM, I RETURNED HOME A MUCH OLDER 22 YEAR OLD SERGEANT. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN WAR, SMELLED IT AND LIVED THROUGH IT YOUR LUCKY.
Bill says:15 Dec 2014 07:48:57 PM
"IN WAR THERE ARE NO UNWOUNDED SOLDIERS"
IN VIETNAM I'VE SEEN DEAD VC AND NVA THEY WERE SO YOUNG, AND THEY WERE THE SAME AGE AS ME.
IN 1967 I WAS 20 YEARS OLD AFTER TWO-TOURS IN VIETNAM, I RETURNED HOME A MUCH OLDER 22 YEAR OLD SERGEANT. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN WAR, SMELLED IT AND LIVED THROUGH IT YOUR LUCKY.
18. Anonymous says:
8 Apr 2015 10:11:01 AM
He was my farther and he despised war when he got home. He was a brave man who loved his country and loved his fellow man. He saved serveral lives in the course of his life . He was important to so many people. I am sorry for the death of war . My Dad was a good human who fought so we could have freedom.
8 Apr 2015 10:11:01 AM
He was my farther and he despised war when he got home. He was a brave man who loved his country and loved his fellow man. He saved serveral lives in the course of his life . He was important to so many people. I am sorry for the death of war . My Dad was a good human who fought so we could have freedom.
19. Anonymous says:
1 Aug 2016 09:56:19 PM
To those calling others "morons" how many tears have YOU shed for the dead German sniper?
1 Aug 2016 09:56:19 PM
To those calling others "morons" how many tears have YOU shed for the dead German sniper?
20. Anonymous says:
1 Jan 2017 07:45:35 AM
God bless Earl Topley and all those like him. We owe all of them an incalculable debt for the sacrifices they made. No comment on the dead Nazi soldier.
1 Jan 2017 07:45:35 AM
God bless Earl Topley and all those like him. We owe all of them an incalculable debt for the sacrifices they made. No comment on the dead Nazi soldier.
21. Anonymous says:
4 Apr 2018 07:58:09 AM
If you have anything against Nazis, why did you elect one as your President?
4 Apr 2018 07:58:09 AM
If you have anything against Nazis, why did you elect one as your President?
All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.
Search WW2DB
News
- » Wreck of USS Edsall Found (14 Nov 2024)
- » Autumn 2024 Fundraiser (7 Nov 2024)
- » Nobel Peace Prize for the Atomic Bomb Survivors Organization (11 Oct 2024)
- » Wreck of USS Stewart/DD-224 Found (2 Oct 2024)
- » See all news
Random Photograph
Current Site Statistics
- » 1,150 biographies
- » 337 events
- » 43,917 timeline entries
- » 1,241 ships
- » 350 aircraft models
- » 207 vehicle models
- » 374 weapon models
- » 123 historical documents
- » 260 facilities
- » 470 book reviews
- » 28,542 photos
- » 432 maps
Famous WW2 Quote
"With Germany arming at breakneck speed, England lost in a pacifist dream, France corrupt and torn by dissension, America remote and indifferent... do you not tremble for your children?"Winston Churchill, 1935
Support Us
Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!
Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!
10 Oct 2008 05:22:57 AM
Rest in peace!!!!