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

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

I didn't see your first post on Sweden MR9, and like Jonny I loved the Foreign Minister's intention; “to make ourselves as indigestible as possible.”

Sad news Jonny! There are some lovely prints there.

Tony wrote: "I’ve finished my second WW2 book of the past few weeks. I didn’t especially enjoy Beevor’s Arnhem: The Battle for the Bridges, 1944, which is a decent effort, but not enough fresh m..."

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy Beevor's book on Arnhem but good news on Ben Macintyre’s book!

Alex wrote: "Just finished Monte Cassini The hollow Victory by John Ellis. Very detailed in examining the infantry fighting over the four battles for the Monte and the eventual limited break through. Focussed p..."

Glad to hear you enjoyed the book Alex, it is one of my favourite books on the subject.

Manray9 wrote: "Tonight I've started Jerrold Packard's --

Neither Friend Nor Foe: The European Neutrals in World War II."

That sounds like it may be quite an interesting read, keep us all posted MR9!

Dipanjan wrote: "

Today bought this one via Amazon"

That's a very good book, I hope you enjoy it Dipanjan!

Just arrived this morning; "Resistance and Liberation: France at War, 1942-1945" by Douglas Porch. I've got no excuse now to not start the first volume.

Resistance and Liberation: France at War, 1942-1945 by Douglas Porch

Ayleth wrote: "Hi all :) New to GoodReads and joining a few groups, couldn't look past this one. I've always had a very keen interest in WWII, but the only dedicated books I've read on the subject are The Rise & ..."

Hi Ayleth and welcome to the group, glad you found us :)

Another WW2 aviation book arrived this morning; "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

Jerome wrote: "An October release:

by Rona Simmons
Description:
October 24, 1944, is not a day of national remembrance. Yet..."

Sounds like a very interesting book Jerome!

Manray9 wrote: "A Great War title arrived in my mailbox today from Midtown Scholar Bookstore:

Gallipoli: Attack from the Sea by Victor Rudenno."

That should be a very interesting account. I may have to look around for a copy for myself :)

"Rebel Island: The incredible history of Taiwan" - I found this story quite interesting:

"In February 1979, a delegation of ageing indigenous Formosans arrived at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. A priestly staff member welcomed them effusively, and reminisced about the days when the Takasago Volunteers were some of the fiercest and most loyal troops of the Japanese Emperor. He rattled on for a while, handing out shrine souvenirs, until an old lady interrupted him, and asked if she could have her late husband’s spirit back. She was Chiwas-tari, a widow who had lived for 30 years without acknowledgement or reparation for her husband’s service in the Japanese Imperial Army. She did not want his spirit to be held prisoner in a foreign city anymore, she said, a thousand miles away from his true home. Surely, she asked, he had given enough to Japan, and she should be allowed to take home his soul?1 Whether she knew it or not, Chiwas-tari was demanding a divine impossibility. The Yasukuni Shrine has long claimed that once a soul is enshrined in its precincts, it mixes up with all the other souls and cannot be extracted, which is, incidentally, the official reason why the venue is unable to remove any of the Class-A war criminals who also reside there in spirit."

Rebel Island: The Incredible Story of Taiwan by Jonathan Clements

"Rebel Island: The incredible history of Taiwan" - The author also mentioned how three elephants were transported to Taiwan with the Nationalist troops fleeing the communists. These elephants had served during WW2:

https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?post=...

https://www.pacificatrocities.org/blo...

"Rebel Island: The incredible history of Taiwan" - The author mentioned the story of the Takasago Volunteers - Taiwanese aboriginal tribes that fought for Japan during WW2:

https://www.taiwan-panorama.com/Artic...

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/the...

"Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951" - It seems that one of the Canadian platoon commanders, (Lieutenant Levy), in the Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) could speak Cantonese and spent the night abusing the attacking Chinese:

"The Chinese officer scream: 'Don't listen to that Son of a Turtle' ... A terrible insult in Chinese. The enemy officer urges his troops to press even harder. They assault the Patricia's with ever-increasing numbers laying down heavier small arms, machine gun and mortar fire. The firing becomes intense. After my continuing exchange with the Chinese commander, one of my men shouts; 'Tell the bloody platoon commander to Shut Up!' Each time [these] verbal exchange takes place the Chinese intensify their attacks."

Mike Levy:
https://www.espritdecorps.ca/battle-o...

"Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951" - The citation for the award of the DCM for Private Wayne Mitchell of the Second Battalion of the Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). Many considered that he should have been awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions.

“Private Mitchell, twice wounded on 25 April 1951 at Kapyong, Korea, showed extraordinary courage during an attack made by a strong enemy force on his platoon position. At 2150 hours approximately one hundred Chinese attacked a position held by No.9 Section, 6 Platoon, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry of which Private Mitchell was the Bren gunner.

Notwithstanding the overwhelming odds, with marked determination he held his ground, skilfully using his Bren gun to inflict maximum casualties on the enemy. He was largely responsible for repulsing this attack and was wounded in the chest during the course of the battle. Although wounded he refused to leave his Bren gun and was an inspiration to the remainder of the platoon. He was ordered to report to platoon headquarters to have his wound dressed. He voluntarily carried a wounded comrade back to safety. By 2400 hours the Chinese had overrun two sections of 6 Platoon and were attacking platoon headquarters.

Private Mitchell again skilfully brought a Bren gun into action to repulse this attack. At one stage, seeing his platoon sergeant with six wounded men pinned down by enemy fire, voluntarily, without regard for his own safety, he rushed toward the enemy firing the Bren gun from the hip, thus allowing the wounded to be moved to safety. In this action Private Mitchell was wounded for a second time by an enemy grenade. At 0100 hours on 26 April 1951, platoon headquarters and one section were still holding out but were nearly out of ammunition. The platoon commander ordered his men to withdraw 100 yards to the defences of 5 Platoon who were also under attack. During the withdrawal, Private Mitchell exposed himself time and again, moving from fire positions to fire position, where he could best engage the enemy to cover the withdrawal. At 0300 hours, after the fourth attack had been repulsed, Mitchell had his wounded dressed by the company Medical Assistant but refused to be evacuated and stayed at his Bren gun post for the remainder of the night.

Private Mitchell's courage, determination and skill were an inspiration to the rest of the soldiers in his platoon and company. His actions greatly assisted his company in successfully defending the position and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. At daylight Private Mitchell could hardly stand for loss of blood. His company commander ordered him to report to the Medical Officer who had him evacuated by helicopter immediately.”

"Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951" - At one stage during the fighting at Kapyong Captain Gravener had called for air attacks to dislodge the surviving Chinese from the old 12 Platoon area. Unfortunately the spotter aircraft directing the airstrike dropped a spigot flare onto the position occupied by Lieutenant Mannett's 10 Platoon and the Company Headquarters. The two attacking Corsair aircraft then dropped their napalm right into the heart of the D Company defences. Australian medic, Private Ron 'Nugget' Dunque witnessed this incident and the aftermath:

"Earlier in the morning I had been wounded in the fore part of my head. I must have looked a sight. I was sitting there, stunned and no doubt feeling a bit sick and sorry for myself.

I then saw the most appalling apparition. A man with no flesh - his hands were dripping flesh - completely naked. As he walked, I saw these huge, bloated feet. The sticks and the stones came up through his feet. He sat down next to me. I didn't know who he was. He looked at me and said, 'Jesus, Nuggett, you're having a bad day'."

Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951 by David W. Cameron

Hi Craig and welcome to the group. You grandfather had a pretty dangerous job during the war!

"Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951" - During the heavy fighting at Kapyong the Australian's had issues with evacuating their casualties due to the heavy fire of the Chinese attackers. The American Sherman tanks from 'A' Company, 72nd Tank Battalion came to the rescue:

"The seriously wounded on stretchers were strapped to the tank decking. Those wounded who could sit were placed inside the tanks, and most American crewmen stayed outside the tank, holding onto and comforting those on the stretchers. The seriously wounded from 'B' Company's fighting to take The Honeycomb were among those placed on and within the tanks. The compassion shown by these crewmen, and the dangers they took in looking after the stretcher-cases, did them much credit in the eyes of the Australians and was deeply appreciated by them; two American tankers were wounded while evacuating the Australian casualties."

The Australian regimental medical officer, Captain Beard stated:

"We were inside the tank in safety while the poor casualties were defenseless - some tied on, some simply hanging and waiting for the first round to hit them. But it didn't come. The Chinese had ceased firing to let the casualties through. I will be forever grateful to them for their act of great kindness."

Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951 by David W. Cameron

"Let the Bastards Come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea, 23 – 25 April 1951" - I forget to mention the heroic stand of the 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment at the Battle of the Imjin River:

https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/battle-...

Gloucester Hill Battle Monument:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glouces...