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

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

Two more pretty interesting books, thanks for posting the details, Jerome!

Indeed, some great books there, Mike! thanks for providing the details.

Nice finds Jonny. Some excellent reading there!

I also really enjoyed that book Marilyn. It was a great story and very well told!


Brothers, Rivals, Victors: Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley and the Partnership that Drove the Allied Conquest in Europe by Jonathan W. Jordan

Great review Dimitri!

Jonny wrote: "Dropped into the inbox this morning... The Convoy: HG-76: Taking the Fight to Hitler's U-boats

"

Nice purchase Jonny!

James wrote: "Now starting on THE ADMIRALS by Walter Borneman, which goes into the details of the four Naval officers (Leahy, King, Nimitz, and Halsey) who would earn 5-star admiral rank and help to win the war ..."

That's another book sitting in my library waiting to be read!

Tom wrote: "A quick question would the 1943 Burma campaign be considered a pacific war battle for this months theme read?"

Sure, why not, join in with whatever book you have Tom :)

Jerome wrote: "A May 2024 release:

by Nick Hewitt
Description:
The Allied liberation of Naz..."

Something a bit different on Normandy!

Some good books coming up, thanks for posting those details Jerome!

Tom wrote: "Finished this the other day and can safely say it’s one of the best books I’ve read concerning the pacific war and about (to my shame) a battle I knew nothing about.

One Square Mile of Hell: The ..."

Really glad to hear you enjoyed the book, Tom. It is an excellent account of that terrible battle!

"Bloody Tarawa" - The author provided details on the sterling work of the medical staff on the USS Doyen, an attack transport ship, that was used to receive casualties from the fighting on Tarawa:

"Late in the third day, Dr. Oliver was informed that the Doyen had taken aboard four hundred casualties. He was flabbergasted, for the number was unprecedented. And it rose toward five hundred. By the time the Doyen set sail for Pearl Harbor, she had five hundred fifty wounded men below decks. This put her, an ordinary fleet transport with good but rudimentary medical facilities, in the class of a large hospital ship. (the Doyen would surpass her Tarawa record by treating six hundred shipboard patients at Iwo Jima.)"

The USS Doyen (APA-1):
https://www.history.navy.mil/research...

"Bloody Tarawa" - The author mentioned the sinking of the Japanese submarine - I-35 at Betio. The Jap sub was forced to the surface and rammed by the destroyer USS Frazier:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanes...

"Bloody Tarawa" - The final Medal of Honor recipient from this battle mentioned by the author was First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman, Jr. Again, another posthumous award, his citation reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as executive officer of the 2d Battalion Shore Party, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division, during the assault against enemy Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, 20[-22 November 1943. Acting on his own initiative when assault troops were pinned down at the far end of Betio Pier by the overwhelming fire of Japanese shore batteries, 1st Lt. Bonnyman repeatedly defied the blasting fury of the enemy bombardment to organize and lead the besieged men over the long, open pier to the beach and then, voluntarily obtaining flamethrowers and demolitions, organized his pioneer shore party into assault demolitionists and directed the blowing of several hostile installations before the close of D-day. Determined to effect an opening in the enemy's strongly organized defense line the following day, he voluntarily crawled approximately 40 yards forward of our lines and placed demolitions in the entrance of a large Japanese emplacement as the initial move in his planned attack against the heavily garrisoned, bombproof installation which was stubbornly resisting despite the destruction early in the action of a large number of Japanese who had been inflicting heavy casualties on our forces and holding up our advance. Withdrawing only to replenish his ammunition, he led his men in a renewed assault, fearlessly exposing himself to the merciless slash of hostile fire as he stormed the formidable bastion, directed the placement of demolition charges in both entrances, and seized the top of the bombproof position, flushing more than 100 of the enemy who were instantly cut down and effecting the annihilation of approximately 150 troops inside the emplacement. Assailed by additional Japanese after he had gained his objective, he made a heroic stand on the edge of the structure, defending his strategic position with indomitable determination in the face of the desperate charge and killing three of the enemy before he fell, mortally wounded. By his dauntless fighting spirit, unrelenting aggressiveness and forceful leadership throughout three days of unremitting, violent battle, 1st Lt. Bonnyman had inspired his men to heroic effort, enabling them to beat off the counterattack and break the back of hostile resistance in that sector for an immediate gain of 400 yards with no further casualties to our forces in this zone. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman Jr.:
http://www.mohconvention.com/tn-recip...

https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine...

Really glad to hear you enjoyed the book Mike! It is one of my favourite titles on the subject.

More good books at a good price, thanks Mike!

"Bloody Tarawa" - The author has just described another hard-fought action that led to the posthumous award of the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Deane Hawkins. His citation reads:

"For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of a Scout Sniper Platoon attached to the Assault Regiment in action against Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, 20 and 21 November 1943. The first to disembark from the jeep lighter, 1st Lt. Hawkins unhesitatingly moved forward under heavy enemy fire at the end of the Betio Pier, neutralizing emplacements in coverage of troops assaulting the main beach positions. Fearlessly leading his men on to join the forces fighting desperately to gain a beachhead, he repeatedly risked his life throughout the day and night to direct and lead attacks on pillboxes and installations with grenades and demolitions. At dawn on the following day, 1st Lt. Hawkins resumed the dangerous mission of clearing the limited beachhead of Japanese resistance, personally initiating an assault on a hostile position fortified by five enemy machine guns, and, crawling forward in the face of withering fire, boldly fired point-blank into the loopholes and completed the destruction with grenades. Refusing to withdraw after being seriously wounded in the chest during this skirmish, 1st Lt. Hawkins steadfastly carried the fight to the enemy, destroying three more pillboxes before he was caught in a burst of Japanese shellfire and mortally wounded. His relentless fighting spirit in the face of formidable opposition and his exceptionally daring tactics served as an inspiration to his comrades during the most crucial phase of the battle and reflect the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

1st Lt. William Deane Hawkins:
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-...

https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine...

I like how you think Dimitri!

Jerome wrote: "A May 2024 release:

by Stephen Fisher
Description:
Filling a massive gap in D-Day literature, marine..."

Sounds good, one to keep an eye-out for!

KOMET wrote: "I'm now deeply immersed in reading "Bf 109 Jabo Units in the West" by Malcolm V. Lowe.



The book is centered on t..."

That should be an interesting book Komet!