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

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

fourtriplezed wrote: "Thanks for the excerpts, Rick. I found them very informative."

My pleasure 4ZZZ.

I found it a very good account of the Weimar period. I now have to read his final book in the trilogy.

The Hitler Years: Disaster 1940-1945 by Frank McDonough

Excellent purchases Marc! They both sound like excellent books after reading Mike's posts.

"The Weimar Years Rise and Fall 1918-1933" - From the Conclusion in the book:

"Given all the cumulative problems it faced, it is surprising Weimar democracy lasted as long as it did, but we need to remember that it endured longer than Hitler's Third Reich. The period from 1918 to 1933 was politically and economically turbulent, but democracy survived. Between 1924 and 1929, the economy stabilised, Germany regained international respectability, and democratic rule was never threatened. Even in the period of deep political and economic crisis between 1930 and 1933, during the time of authoritarian 'presidential rule', there was no attempt to overthrow the Republic."

The Weimar Years Rise and Fall 1918-1933 by Frank McDonough

"The Weimar Years Rise and Fall 1918-1933" - The 1930's and the rise of Cabaret's during the Weimar years:

"In fact, a master of ceremonies in the Weimar period was known as the Conférencier, and was much more than simply a presenter between the acts, but rather a good-natured host, who talked to the audience and commented on current events and personalities. One of the most famous Weimar Conférenciers was Werner Finck, who became known for his impudent remarks against the National Socialists. He was the Conférencier at the Catacomb Club (Die Katakombe), in Bellevuestrasse, Berlin. Finck would often raise his hand in the Hitler salute and say: 'That's how deep we are in this shit'; and if there were National Socialists in the audience he would say; 'No, I'm not Jewish. I only look intelligent'."

Werner Fink:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_...

Mike wrote: "Shirer is getting to the end of his time in Berlin. He relates some jokes going around Berlin:

RAF bombing mission, could it be true? Should be:

[spoilers removed]

Berlin under the bombs:

[spoi..."

Great stories Mike, I had a good chuckle a few times!

He was indeed Mike!

"The Weimar Years Rise and Fall 1918-1933" - In 1926 there was a new member in Hitler's inner circle - Dr. Joseph Goebbels:

"Goebbels was a peerless sloganeer, and a brilliant speaker, with a mellifluous voice. His propaganda approach was simple: find out what people hate and make them hate it more. He dismissed truth and accuracy as irrelevant to the art of propaganda, and instead made a virtue out of lying. He felt this was a vital asset in political campaigns."

The Weimar Years Rise and Fall 1918-1933 by Frank McDonough

More good books on special!

Mike wrote: "Shirer focuses on the lack of fervor among the regular population. Despite the raging propaganda, citizens are not charged up. And with words like these, how could you not be apprehensive.

”This ..."

“OVER THE GRAVES FORWARD!” - Not a great motivator, that's for sure!

Jerome wrote: "A June release:

by Jonathan Dimbleby
Description:
The year 1944 was the turning point of World War Two, an..."

Yep, that will be on my list to buy, thanks for the details, Jerome!

Manray9 wrote: "Based on Happy's endorsement, this afternoon I'll start --

The Cauldron by Zeno.

A novel of the fighting at Arnhem in 1944."

I hope you enjoy the book MR9!

Mike wrote: "This may be a diary but it has been fascinating to read about the day-to-day evolution. The war started 2 months ago. The US has repealed the Neutrality Act and will be delivering planes to the UK...."

Great post Mike! I wonder if Goering remembered that conversation a few years later when American planes were flying over the Reich!

Marc wrote: "Finally joined the Group Read last night:

The Hitler Years: Triumph, 1933-1939"

And an excellent book to join in with as well!

Fluctuations in the price of coffee beans can be very detrimental to your health! :)

Added:

The Air War Through German Eyes: How the Luftwaffe Lost the Skies over the Reich by Jonathan Trigg
Description:
Starting with leaflet drops in 1940, the aerial offensive against the Nazis’ homeland grew into a huge armada that pulverised much of Germany, seriously damaging her ability to make war and killing hundreds of thousands. By day, the Flying Fortresses of the Mighty Eighth US Airforce confronted the day fighters of Luftflotte Reich, and then it was the turn of Bomber Command’s Lancasters to fight off the deadly predators of the Nachtjagd (night hunters). The tactics and technology of Allied escort fighters evolved quickly though the war years, as they did for the defending German fighters. For the Allied airmen who fought this war the price was frighteningly high, for those who opposed them – in the air and on the ground – it was even higher. As the bombing increased, Nazi high command was forced to devote more and more resources to try and defeat the Allied campaign, just when those same resources were desperately needed elsewhere, both on the Russian Front and, after D-Day on 6 June 1944, on the new Western Front. Written from the ‘other side’ and told as much as possible through the words of the veterans, this is an important book on one of the most controversial campaigns of the Second World War.

There is a new book by Jonathan Trigg due out this month titled; "The Air War Through German Eyes: How the Luftwaffe Lost the Skies over the Reich". I will try and add it to Goodreads shortly.

carl wrote: "Inspired by our recent thread I was searching for Rudel's 'Stuka Pilot' and came across this book, a rather amazing presentation done in 1977 at the US War College for benefit of NATO forces preppi..."

I've not seen or heard of that book before Carl, nice find!

The price of coffee would have killed me!

Three excellent books at great prices, thanks Mike!