WW11 History
- Thread starter bamatude
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bamatude, that is one I have not read. I don't think I can get into it right now, but I have read many books about D-day. It is probably my favorite subject about WWII.
Tell me something about the Screaming Eagles.
Were they pathfinders who went in in advance of the main landing?
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
Tell me something about the Screaming Eagles.
Were they pathfinders who went in in advance of the main landing?
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
I like to talk about WWII also. Y'all include me. I'll buy the book as soon as I can. I was raised on WWII.
Oh boy...I just returned from Amazon, and I'd like to read ALL of his books. They all have 4 1/2-5 stars. I'll probably get bogged down in technology though, but I'll love it. I'm gonna try to find it at Barnes & Noble here in B'ham rather than ordering it from Amazon or Barnes & Noble online. Takes too long to receive it. I'll holler when I get it.
WWII is one of my favorite subjects for reading. I guess I have read a coupole of hundred books on WWII over the course of the past fifty years. (Wow! Fifty years. That figure of 200 may be low).
I just finished a book called We Die Alone, about a Norweigan who escaped from Norway after the German invasion, made his way to England, and after extensive training, tried to infiltrate back in to set up some resistance cells. His group was betrayed, and he was the only survivor, after an almost unbelievable series of survival episodes.
I also just read another book, a recent publication, about the battle of Wake Island. I can't recall the title right now, but it was an excellent look at a segment of WWII history that has seen very little attention.
If you are looking for a next book, and want a good novel in lieu of a history, and have not read Once An Eagle; then that would be my recommendation.
I just finished a book called We Die Alone, about a Norweigan who escaped from Norway after the German invasion, made his way to England, and after extensive training, tried to infiltrate back in to set up some resistance cells. His group was betrayed, and he was the only survivor, after an almost unbelievable series of survival episodes.
I also just read another book, a recent publication, about the battle of Wake Island. I can't recall the title right now, but it was an excellent look at a segment of WWII history that has seen very little attention.
If you are looking for a next book, and want a good novel in lieu of a history, and have not read Once An Eagle; then that would be my recommendation.
I began "Screaming Eagles" last night, and finished the Introduction and Chapter 1. I felt as if I were stranded in a time-warp, as something about them was very off-putting. I went back to the copyright page, and understood why. This book was first published in 1967, and copyrighted in 1989, I think. This is a new edition of an old book by a new publisher.
I may have read it before, years ago, as much of it was definitely familiar to me. I got it from the New Nonfiction shelves of the library. It was published in 2002.
However, I read Cornelius Ryan's The Longest Day, and saw the movie at least once, and I may be remembering that.
Actually, I like it that it was published originally 25 years ago, as it has an immediacy that it would lack if it were new. Twenty-five years ago there were many more veterans to consult, and their memories were fresher.
I loved all the vivid details in Chapter 1. I came away with great admiration for Ike, as he had the humanity to come down and see these servicemen off on their great mission.
The Screaming Eagles did have the mission that I seemed to remember for them: the pathfinders who dropped in from gliders to mark the way, and the paratroopers who dropped in to secure strategic sites back of the landing beaches.
I was somewhat surprised to encounter General William Westmoreland. I remember him from Viet Nam, but did not connect him to D-Day.
I remember the clickers that they used to match up with each other, and the fact that so many were blown off-course and ended up far away from their intended drop-zones. These men truly were members of "The Greatest Generation."
I'll post again as I read more.
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
I may have read it before, years ago, as much of it was definitely familiar to me. I got it from the New Nonfiction shelves of the library. It was published in 2002.
However, I read Cornelius Ryan's The Longest Day, and saw the movie at least once, and I may be remembering that.
Actually, I like it that it was published originally 25 years ago, as it has an immediacy that it would lack if it were new. Twenty-five years ago there were many more veterans to consult, and their memories were fresher.
I loved all the vivid details in Chapter 1. I came away with great admiration for Ike, as he had the humanity to come down and see these servicemen off on their great mission.
The Screaming Eagles did have the mission that I seemed to remember for them: the pathfinders who dropped in from gliders to mark the way, and the paratroopers who dropped in to secure strategic sites back of the landing beaches.
I was somewhat surprised to encounter General William Westmoreland. I remember him from Viet Nam, but did not connect him to D-Day.
I remember the clickers that they used to match up with each other, and the fact that so many were blown off-course and ended up far away from their intended drop-zones. These men truly were members of "The Greatest Generation."
I'll post again as I read more.
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
Caroline, my father was killed in WWII, by kamakazi planes at Iwo Jima in 1945.
My mother remarried in 1947 to a local man who had been on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He has been my father since then, a period of almost sixty years. He is 88 now, and we still play golf together once or twice a week.
Oscar was a member of the First Division, and flew a Piper Cub to spot for the artillery battalion. On D-day, they loaded his airplane (with the wings removed and strapped alongside the fuselage) into an LCVP and he and his mechanic went ashore with it about 2PM. The beach was still fairly hot at that time, with strafing airplanes and plenty of automatic fire. He said that the noise was so intense and so constant that you could only be heard by putting your mouth to one's ear and shouting.
The LCVP was able to run up on the beach far enough to drag the plane out, but they coundn't do it by hand, and had to find the beachmaster to borrow a jeep. He was a Colonel, and was walking up and down the beach with a radio and a bunch of clerks following him. He pointed to a jeep and said "Somebody is coming back for that one in a few minutes, but go ahead and take it. Just bring it back!"
They hooked up the airplane and towed it up the beach to where a road came down through from an apple orchard. They knew this place from studying the mockup aboard the ship (the mockup covered the entire floor of a room).
His mechanic got shrapnel in the forehead and had to return to the ship, so Oscar got help from passing infantrymen to get the wings on; then he flew until dark...
That was the first day. After that he flew virutally every day as they moved across France and into Germany.
He was wounded twice and recieved the Silver Star for a mission he flew to locate and relieve some cut-off troops.
My mother remarried in 1947 to a local man who had been on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He has been my father since then, a period of almost sixty years. He is 88 now, and we still play golf together once or twice a week.
Oscar was a member of the First Division, and flew a Piper Cub to spot for the artillery battalion. On D-day, they loaded his airplane (with the wings removed and strapped alongside the fuselage) into an LCVP and he and his mechanic went ashore with it about 2PM. The beach was still fairly hot at that time, with strafing airplanes and plenty of automatic fire. He said that the noise was so intense and so constant that you could only be heard by putting your mouth to one's ear and shouting.
The LCVP was able to run up on the beach far enough to drag the plane out, but they coundn't do it by hand, and had to find the beachmaster to borrow a jeep. He was a Colonel, and was walking up and down the beach with a radio and a bunch of clerks following him. He pointed to a jeep and said "Somebody is coming back for that one in a few minutes, but go ahead and take it. Just bring it back!"
They hooked up the airplane and towed it up the beach to where a road came down through from an apple orchard. They knew this place from studying the mockup aboard the ship (the mockup covered the entire floor of a room).
His mechanic got shrapnel in the forehead and had to return to the ship, so Oscar got help from passing infantrymen to get the wings on; then he flew until dark...
That was the first day. After that he flew virutally every day as they moved across France and into Germany.
He was wounded twice and recieved the Silver Star for a mission he flew to locate and relieve some cut-off troops.
Anyone read, "Crusade in Europe," by Eisenhower. I recently picked up a 1st edition in a used book store for $2. I haven't had a chance to read it yet.
Seems like I recall reading that Westmoreland was there, but don't recall in what capacity. Wasn't Teddy Roosevelts son there as well? Seems like he was a Brigadier General and came ashore early the first day.
Seems like I recall reading that Westmoreland was there, but don't recall in what capacity. Wasn't Teddy Roosevelts son there as well? Seems like he was a Brigadier General and came ashore early the first day.
TR's son was there. I believe it was Quinton. He was the highest ranked American officed killed during the D-Day invasion, I think. He was a general of some rank.
Also in the part of the book I have read so far, in addition to General Westmoreland, one of the generals was General McAuliff, who became immortal for saying "Nuts!" to the German demand for surrender at Bastogn (SP!) during the Battle of the Bulge.
This is a really interesting book, much like The Longest Day, but not nearly so famous.
I belive that I read Eisenhower's book many years ago.
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
Also in the part of the book I have read so far, in addition to General Westmoreland, one of the generals was General McAuliff, who became immortal for saying "Nuts!" to the German demand for surrender at Bastogn (SP!) during the Battle of the Bulge.
This is a really interesting book, much like The Longest Day, but not nearly so famous.
I belive that I read Eisenhower's book many years ago.
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
So Westmoreland was a Gen at D-Day? Wow. What age a man was he during Vietnam. He must've been pretty young.
I remember now that TR's son was the highest ranking fatality. I had forgotten that part of it. Thanks for the remind.
I remember now that TR's son was the highest ranking fatality. I had forgotten that part of it. Thanks for the remind.
So Westmoreland was a Gen at D-Day? Wow. What age a man was he during Vietnam. He must've been pretty young.
I remember now that TR's son was the highest ranking fatality. I had forgotten that part of it. Thanks for the remind.
I remember now that TR's son was the highest ranking fatality. I had forgotten that part of it. Thanks for the remind.
This site: http://members.aol.com/USAHeroes/wcw1.htm
says he was born in 1914 and was a 1936 West Point grad. He would have been out of college 8 yrs on D-Day. It also says he commanded artillery battalions in Sicily and North Africa during WWII. It's a very brief resume that's listed though.
says he was born in 1914 and was a 1936 West Point grad. He would have been out of college 8 yrs on D-Day. It also says he commanded artillery battalions in Sicily and North Africa during WWII. It's a very brief resume that's listed though.
Another author I'd recommend is Stephen Ambrose. I've read most of his WWII works and they are excellent. Very easy to read. One of his books was the basis for the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers".
Shortly before his recent death, Ambrose came under fire from critics accusing him of plagiarism, but his style of writing opens him up to such charges. He quotes liberally from several sources and the claims of plagiarism were basically that he failed to adequately footnote some references.
Nevertheless these are highly entertaining reads and give a great perspective from the average soldier.
Shortly before his recent death, Ambrose came under fire from critics accusing him of plagiarism, but his style of writing opens him up to such charges. He quotes liberally from several sources and the claims of plagiarism were basically that he failed to adequately footnote some references.
Nevertheless these are highly entertaining reads and give a great perspective from the average soldier.
I'm glad I dropped into the Book Ends Forum today. The discussion is interesting. Caroline, I didn't think about checking that book out at the library. Good idea!
Bob: What an interesting story. Tell us some more.
I saw the picture "The Longest Day" and also "Saving Private Ryan", both about D-Day, but I've been remiss about reading any books, at least recently, about WWII.
Bob: What an interesting story. Tell us some more.
I saw the picture "The Longest Day" and also "Saving Private Ryan", both about D-Day, but I've been remiss about reading any books, at least recently, about WWII.
CORRECTION....CORRECTION......CORRECTION...
I mentioned General William Westmoreland being present at D-Day, according to this book, and with these paratroopers. I may be a victim of a "Viet Nam" syndrom. I went back and could not find his name mentioned. HOWEVER, General Maxwell D. Taylor WAS there, and is prominently mentioned. So, it may have been he and not Westmoreland to whom I was referring.
I'm not 100% positive of that, however.
I believe that Robert and Ethel Kennedy named one of their children, possibly the youngest son, Maxwell Taylor Kennedy. He is called Max, I think.
I am struck, in reading this book, as to how primitive the equipment was compared to today's equipment. With GPS, it would have been hard to have the SNAFUS that plagued these troops. It's almost as if the acronym SNAFU were invented just for this situation! It's wonder, all things considered, that they accomplished anything. What they failed to do, however, was not due to lack of effort or lack of courage.
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
I mentioned General William Westmoreland being present at D-Day, according to this book, and with these paratroopers. I may be a victim of a "Viet Nam" syndrom. I went back and could not find his name mentioned. HOWEVER, General Maxwell D. Taylor WAS there, and is prominently mentioned. So, it may have been he and not Westmoreland to whom I was referring.
I'm not 100% positive of that, however.
I believe that Robert and Ethel Kennedy named one of their children, possibly the youngest son, Maxwell Taylor Kennedy. He is called Max, I think.
I am struck, in reading this book, as to how primitive the equipment was compared to today's equipment. With GPS, it would have been hard to have the SNAFUS that plagued these troops. It's almost as if the acronym SNAFU were invented just for this situation! It's wonder, all things considered, that they accomplished anything. What they failed to do, however, was not due to lack of effort or lack of courage.
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
Today I went to the Vestavia Library but they didn't have the book. I pulled the info up on the computer and discovered that the Hoover Library has two copies but both are out, and won't be back until later this month. So I'm now on a waiting list, and hopefully the one expected back on March 23rd. will get back on time, and I can start reading.
Nan, I'm probably the one who has the book due the 23rd. I'll be returning it soon.
I have found several mentions of "Russian" or "Georgian Russian" soldiers fighting for the Wermacht. I was a little confused by this until I finally went to the notes and discovered that they were "White Russians conscripted into service by the Germans."
I'm not sure how loyally they would fight in your behalf under the circumstances! I have seen several times accounts of their having surrendered, so perhaps that is the answer as to their loyalty.
I am having a strange reaction to this book. Don't get me wrong; I am totally enjoying it. BUT: I sense total confusion, I sense elation and excitement, and some danger, but I don't get a sense of how deadly serious this part of the war actually was. Perhaps that is because the people who wrote the memoirs and letters, etc., on which this book is based, all survived.
Just a personal observation. Maybe others will see it differently. I would like to hear what others have to say about my observations.
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
I have found several mentions of "Russian" or "Georgian Russian" soldiers fighting for the Wermacht. I was a little confused by this until I finally went to the notes and discovered that they were "White Russians conscripted into service by the Germans."
I'm not sure how loyally they would fight in your behalf under the circumstances! I have seen several times accounts of their having surrendered, so perhaps that is the answer as to their loyalty.
I am having a strange reaction to this book. Don't get me wrong; I am totally enjoying it. BUT: I sense total confusion, I sense elation and excitement, and some danger, but I don't get a sense of how deadly serious this part of the war actually was. Perhaps that is because the people who wrote the memoirs and letters, etc., on which this book is based, all survived.
Just a personal observation. Maybe others will see it differently. I would like to hear what others have to say about my observations.
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
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