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

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

Good to hear MR9, I need to get around to reading is soon as it's a fascinating subject.

Just realised that I have two of this author's books on the Great War; "Ring of Steel" and "The Fortress: The Great Siege of Przemysl".

Simon have you read; "On a Knife Edge: How Germany Lost the First World War" at all?

On the Knife Edge: How Germany Lost the First World War by Holger Afflerbach

Great review Marc. I hope you enjoy the second book just as much, keep us posted.

"Never Forget Your Name: The Children of Auschwitz" - I have just finished a chapter in the book on Auschwitz that truly sickened me. I thought I had read enough to grasp the brutality of the Nazi regime, but this really was too much. I am going to hide the quote with a warning of readers discretion advised:

(view spoiler)[Because of a shortage of gas in mid-1944, Camp Commandant Rudolf Höß ordered that less gas should be introduced into the gas chambers. After liberation, Hermann Langbein, inmate number 60355, from Vienna, who, as a clerk to the SS camp doctor, saw and heard a lot, wrote several books on Auschwitz. In Die Starkeren, he described the gas shortage in 1944:

Many were just numbed but not dead and were thus transported live on the carts to the crematorium and incinerated there. Höß gave another order to save gas. Piles of wood were collected outside the crematoria. The children of Hungarian Jews were thrown into the flames. The children were chosen because they were lighter. Strong men were picked from every transport, who were ordered to throw the children - including their own children - into the flames. Then the men were gassed.

All infants and children who got as far as one of the crematoria - in other words, who were not killed beforehand by the SS and/or thrown alive into the fire pits outside - were murdered in the gas chambers. There were slave labourers who witnessed or saw what happened in front of the crematorium, in the entrance to the gas chambers, and in the gas chambers themselves." (hide spoiler)]

Never Forget Your Name: The Children of Auschwitz by Alwin Meyer

A whole bunch of great books being highlighted by group members recently. I am keen to read a number of them myself!

Manray9 wrote: "From E. Tennant's The Royal Deccan Horse in the Great War.

Murray’s Jat Lancers served in Palestine as part of the Deccan Horse. On 23 September 1918, Risaldar Badlu Singh of the J..."

That was a well-earned Victoria Cross! I found this information on Risaldar Badlu Singh:

http://www.vconline.org.uk/badlu-sing...

We have a number of new members to the group, and I have been a bit forgetful in sending out welcome messages. So, my apologies to all those new group members who I have failed to welcome, the issue has just been rectified with multiple messages of welcome being sent out.

The conditions sound pretty bad indeed MR9. Hard to imagine having to fight in such an environment!

KOMET wrote: "I'm presently reading "Last Talons of the Eagle" by Gary Hyland, which looks into the advanced technologies that were either conceived and didn't get much further than..."

That should be an interesting account Komet.

Rona wrote: "Just finished The Splendid and the Vile.
Larson comes as close as anyone can come to descri..."

That's a book that I am still yet to read. Hopefully I'll get around to it one day soon!

Manray9 wrote: "From Lt. Col. Tennant's The Royal Deccan Horse in the Great War.

The Deccan Horse, again as part of the Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade, fought mounted on 14-15 July 1916 during the B..."

That's a pretty impressive advance on horseback whilst under fire!

Alyssa wrote: "I'm looking for a book on the battle of Budapest between Russia and Germany in Dec 1944. Anyone know of a good read? I'm currently reading Inferno by Max Hastings. He touched on it, but I want more..."

Hi Alyssa,

Check these books out:

The Siege of Budapest: One Hundred Days in World War II by Krisztián Ungváry

Days of Battle: Armoured Operations North of the River Danube, Hungary 1944-45 by Norbert Számvéber

The Sword Behind the Shield: A Combat History of the German Efforts to Relieve Budapest 1945 - Operation 'konrad' I, III, III by Norbert Számvéber

Two excellent posts MR9. What a terrible introduction to the Western Front for the Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade!

Excellent recommendation Mike!

fourtriplezed wrote: "My review of Paul Hams Kokoda for anyone interested.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ham is not my style to be honest, but it would be churlish to be over critical. His research ..."

Excellent review 4ZZZ, glad you enjoyed the book!

That pretty well explains the Gallipoli campaign! Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy Peter Hart's book as much as expected.

Bryan wrote: "I finished The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinburg, which was very good. Not only did it cover the Tsar and his family but the chaotic situation in Russia in 1918. I ..."

Glad to hear you enjoyed the book, Bryan. I really liked her book; "Caught in the Revolution: Petrograd, Russia, 1917 – A World on the Edge", so I may have to keep an eye out for a copy of "The Last Days of the Romanovs".

Marc wrote: "Since next month's group read includes the end of the Guadalcanal campaign, I've started the first of Eric Hammel's Guadalcanal trilogy this morning.

[bookcover:Guadalcanal: Starvation Island|2083..."

I hope you enjoy the series Marc.

I decided to start this new book which was a Christmas present from my wife. Not a very cheerful topic but a very important one.

Never Forget Your Name: The Children of Auschwitz by Alwin Meyer
Reviews:
https://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book...

https://www.sareview.org/pub/w8xd8hsf...

https://networks.h-net.org/node/4182/...

Really glad to hear you enjoyed all three books Perato, sounds promising for me when I finally get around to reading the last two of her books.