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

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

Some very good books there Mike. Thanks for the notification!

James wrote: "Now about a quarter of the way through "NEPTUNE: The Allied Invasion of Europe and the D-Day Landings" by Craig Symonds. This is basically a recounting of the major events and players that helped t..."

I also really enjoyed Symonds' book.

"Chastise: The Dambusters Story 1943" - Max Hastings discussing the Lancaster Bomber:

"Behind all this clutter was the loneliest place in Bomber Command - the aircraft's rear turret, in which only a small man might feel remotely comfortable, and which only a brave one cared to occupy at all: there was no room for a rear-gunner to wear his parachute. If the plane was hit, unless he jumped fast - and some 'hit the silk' without waiting to check whether the pilot might keep flying - he was unlikely to get out at all."

The Lancaster Bomber:
https://www.forces.net/heritage/aviat...

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

Some more good books to watch out for! Thanks Jerome.

Two interesting books to keep an eye out for! Thanks Jerome.

Hi Rashad,
welcome to the group. I'm glad you found us, and I hope you have a good time exploring WW2 books with us.

"Chastise: The Dambusters Story 1943" - Another story from my book:

"When Gibson was nominated for a second DSO, Cochrane - who appears previously to have met him only once or twice - queried the award, suggesting that a third DFC would be more appropriate. Harris sharply overruled him: 'Any Captain who completes 172 sorties in an outstanding manner is worth two DSOs, if not a VC. Bar to DSO approved'."

Guy Gibson:
https://vcgca.org/our-people/profile/...

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

Great posts Jonny! It was a pretty horrific raid for those in the city. Hard to imagine what it would have been like - but sure to have been bloody scary!

"Chastise: The Dambusters Story 1943" - Another good story about Churchill and 'Bomber' Harris:

"It was Wallis's additional good fortune that Bufton and Elworthy - a thirty-one-year-old New Zealander of outstanding abilities who eventually became head of the RAF - were original thinkers, open to new ideas in a fashion that Harris was not. They grasped the terrific theatrical impact that the dams' destruction would make, surely greater than that of yet another assault on German cities. Churchill once said grumpily, 'I'm sick of these raids on Cologne,' to which Sir Arthur Harris riposte - 'So are the people of Cologne!' - was not wholly convincing."

Chastise: The Dambusters Story 1943 by Max Hastings

Doubledf99.99 wrote: "with the world scout jamboree being held in Korea which was beset with many problems, a portion of the British contingent went to visit the Gloucester Hill Battle Monument. One of the Korean news c..."

That was a nice thing to do. I hope the Scouts appreciated the history.

Naomi wrote: "Hi,
I'm Naomi. I share an apartment with my sister Natalie. We're novices and are looking to read up on WW2 and the consequential (some say it was destined to happen regardless of war in Europe) Co..."

Hi Naomi (and Natalie), welcome to the group :)

Mike wrote: "Nice one for the shelf AR. Looks like the review space is pretty open..."

The pressure! I'll try and get around to reading it as soon as I can! It does look like a good book :)

Jerome wrote: "A March 2024 release:

by Nick Lloyd
Description:
In the second volume of his landmark First World War tri..."

Dare say that I will have to order a copy :)

Susan wrote: "I am excited to announce that my WW2 novel The German Dressmaker is a 2023 Winner of the Firebird Book Award for Fiction.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..."

Excellent news Susan, congratulations!

"Chastise: The Dambusters Story 1943" - Another quote from the book in regard to 'Bomber' Harris:

"Churchill recognised that such a figure had important uses. Horace Walpole wrote in the mid-eighteenth century: 'No great country was ever saved by good men, because good men will not go to the lengths that may be necessary'."

Sir Arthur Harris:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/v...

"Chastise: The Dambusters Story 1943" - Max Hastings quoted this comment in regard to 'Bomber' Harris:

"As for sailors, it was one of his favourite sayings that the three things one should never take on a boat were an umbrella, a wheelbarrow and a naval officer."

This new release just arrived in the morning mail; "No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II" by Gregory Fontenot.

No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II by Gregory Fontenot

Jonny wrote: "Be interested to hear what you think of it Rick. Jim Holland's take on the op was pretty good."

Yes, I think it may be hard to beat James Holland's account.

I'll be starting my theme book today over my morning coffee; "Chastise: The Dambusters Story 1943" by Max Hastings.

Chastise: The Dambusters Story 1943 by Max Hastings

Jonny wrote: "Sounds like at least one RAF crew was desperate to bring back a scalp from the first raid on Hamburg; I'd of have thought there were easier ways, though:one Stirling collided with a Ju88 night figh..."

That's a hard way to gain a scalp!