'Aussie Rick'’s Comments (group member since Jun 12, 2009)

'Aussie Rick'’s comments from the THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP group.

Two great links Jonny & Liz! Thanks for posting those details.

Military power in armed strength or a leader's military genius? Hitler was the greatest threat to Europe with his genocidal policies.

Two very interesting books there Serena and Dipanjan!

Some interesting books there Mike! Thanks for the notification.

Some very interesting books being read for this theme month!

The book that I have chosen for this month's theme read is; "Bombing Hitler's Hometown: The Untold Story of the Last Mass Bomber Raid of World War II in Europe" by Mike Croissant.

Bombing Hitler's Hometown: The Untold Story of the Last Mass Bomber Raid of World War II in Europe by Mike Croissant

The April theme read page is open and ready for comment and discussion:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The April theme read is any book or books of your choice that covers little known subjects - Latin America's contribution to WW2, a minor battle of WW2, WW2 spies and spycraft.

Liz V. wrote: "Recycling Hueys
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20..."

Great article!

"Neptune: Allied Invasion of Europe and the D-Day Landings" by Craig L. Symonds is also another excellent book on the subject.


Neptune: Allied Invasion of Europe and the D-Day Landings by Craig L. Symonds

Thanks for those two links Liz. Joe Harris lived to a ripe old age!

Hi Mark and welcome to the group. I also remember watching The World At War as a kid and now have the series on DVD so I can watching it again.

Gary wrote: "I have been reading a lot about D-Day and the battle for Normandy. I have read Antony Beevor's book, then re-read James Holland's version and now I am on Stanley Christopherson's wartime diaries (e..."

Some very good books there, Gary! Have you read "Sand & Steel" by Pete Caddick-Adams?

Sand & Steel: The D-Day Invasions and the Liberation of France by Peter Caddick-Adams

Great review, Marc! I'll have to try and read my copy soon.

Liz V. wrote: "New National Medal of Honor Museum opening
https://mohmuseum.org/"

Looks pretty amazing!

Hi Geoff and let me offer you a warm welcome to the group. Westerplatte must have been a real interesting place to visit!

Thanks for the notification, Mike.

This new Australian publication is due out for release in April 2025; "Gull Force: Australian POWs on Ambon and Hainan, 1941–45" by Joan Beaumont.

Gull Force: Australian POWs on Ambon and Hainan, 1941–45 by Joan Beaumont
Description:
The members of the Australian battalion of Gull Force endured some of the harshest prisoner-of-war conditions of any Australian during the Second World War.

In February 1942, on the remote island of Ambon in Indonesia, 1131 Australian soldiers were preparing for invasion by Japanese forces. Outnumbered and ill-equipped, theirs was an impossible mission. After their defeat, over 200 Australians were massacred. The survivors faced three-and-a-half years of harsh work, beatings, disease and starvation on Ambon and the Chinese island of Hainan. Along with the brutal conditions came a crisis of leadership, with Australian officers accused of devising their own systems of punishment and handing men over to the Japanese. The prisoners on Ambon were tormented by two catastrophic raids by 'friendly' Allied air forces. Over 800 survived to endure years of captivity; only 302 returned home.

Acclaimed historian Joan Beaumont tells the full story of this tragedy and its aftermath. A powerful account of suffering, death, endurance and memory, the story of Gull Force is one that must not be forgotten.

'A compelling account of the tragedy and complexity of captivity by Australia's pre-eminent historian of war.' Christina Twomey

'Revealing afresh an episode in Australia's POW history that deserves to be better known and understood.' Peter Stanley

Thanks for posting that link, André.

Thanks for posting that link, Liz!