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

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

Hi Geoff and welcome to the group!

Liz V. wrote: "Balkan War submarine
https://greekreporter.com/2025/03/06/..."

Great link! Thanks for posting Liz!

Manray9 wrote: "Tonight I've started --

Arnhem: The Battle for the Bridges, 1944 by Antony Beevor."

I hope you enjoy the book MR9!

Two good ones Mike, thanks for the notification.

Alison wrote: "Hello All! I'm looking for a book on the German army in Russia (especially near Taganrog or Raskity). My real goal is to understand what life would have been like for a specific German soldier who ..."

Also check out this older publication which has been reprinted a number of times; "War on the Eastern Front: The German Soldier in Russia, 1941–1945" by James Sidney Lucas.

War on the Eastern Front: The German Soldier in Russia, 1941–1945 by James Sidney Lucas

Both "In Deadly Combat" and "Blood Red Snow" are excellent books covering the Eastern Front.

Richard Overy has a new release out at the moment; "Rain of Ruin: Tokyo, Hiroshima, and the Surrender of Japan".


Rain of Ruin: Tokyo, Hiroshima, and the Surrender of Japan by Richard Overy
Description:
In 1945, US air attacks in Japan killed 300,000 civilians in three hours of night bombing and two nuclear strikes. The firebombing of Tokyo in March burned almost the entire city, killed some 85,000 residents, and left more than 1 million homeless. The atomic blast in Hiroshima in August killed some 119,000 civilians and 20,000 soldiers. After a second nuclear attack days later in Nagasaki and a declaration of war by the Soviet Union, Japan accepted defeat.


Drawing on his expertise in the war and its bombing campaigns, Richard Overy delivers a precise recounting of these aerial attacks, especially their impact on civilians, and a balanced assessment of how and why they occurred. Astute on Allied decision-making, Overy notably explores the factional infighting within the Japanese leadership and the decisive role played by the emperor, Hirohito. The war’s endgame required both sides to bridge a cultural divide on surrender.

Mike, I hope you manage to find a copy of the movie "Kokoda" to watch.

An Australian release; "Give the Bastards Hell: The Battle for Milne Bay, New Guinea 1942" by David W. Cameron.

Give the Bastards Hell: The Battle for Milne Bay, New Guinea 1942 by David W. Cameron
Description:
In New Guinea’s jungles, a fierce battle turned the tide of the Pacific War—the first major land defeat for the unstoppable Japanese forces.

By mid-August 1942, Imperial Japanese forces dominated the Southeast Asian and Pacific theatres, seemingly unstoppable in their advance. While the Japanese South Seas Force pushed north toward Port Moresby along the Kokoda Track, they launched an operation against Milne Bay at the eastern tip of New Guinea. Their to seize the crucial Allied airfields under construction, which would pave the way for capturing Port Moresby and consolidating their hold on the region.

For two intense weeks, Japanese marines, supported by tanks and naval bombardments, battled through the jungle-covered strip of land between the beaches and mountains. Facing them was a determined and diverse Allied force—Australian militia, 2nd AIF troops, American engineers, and, critically, Australian fighter pilots—who fought the Japanese to a standstill near the partially completed Air Strip No. 3. Despite desperate human wave attacks by the Japanese, the Allies held their ground.

When the smoke cleared, the Japanese had suffered their first significant land defeat since Pearl Harbor. The Battle of Milne Bay marked a turning point in the Pacific War, signalling the beginning of the end for the Imperial Japanese Empire.

If you're interested Jonny, the author has just released this book; "Give the Bastards Hell: The Battle for Milne Bay, New Guinea 1942".

Give the Bastards Hell: The Battle for Milne Bay, New Guinea 1942 by David W. Cameron

Jonny wrote: "I've picked up David Cameron's The Battles for Kokoda Plateau: Three Weeks of Hell Defending the Gateway to the Owen Stanleys. Bit of pre-ANZAC day reading!

[bookcover:The Battles ..."

Excellent! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Jerome wrote: "A June 2026 release:

by Guy Walters
Description:
Adolf..."

Another interesting book to keep an eye out for!

A few good books at great prices! Thanks for posting the details Mike :)

Nice finds there Dimitri!

Manray9 wrote: "On Tom Johnstone's Orange, Green & Khaki: The Story of the Irish Regiments in the Great War, 1914-18.

Johnstone starts the book’s section on Gallipoli with a rather bold statement:
..."

Very bold statement indeed MR9! Not too sure it would have panned out as the author suggested.

Thanks for those details on Flint Whitlock's new book, much appreciated!

Two good books there Doreen and Dipanjan!

Liz V. wrote: "Sacrifice by bomber crew
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czd..."

Thanks for posting that link Liz, great story about a brave crew!

Some interesting books there Jerome, thanks for posting the details!

Darya, since I recently purchased a Kindle, I will check it out, thanks :)