Colin’s Comments (group member since Dec 16, 2012)

Colin’s comments from the THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP group.

Coming from Bruce who I know, I am certain the info he gave is solid. I interviewed a few flag officers who knew MacArthur, they were less than enthused.

Dj wrote: "One of the things I love about reading WWII books is sometimes you find answers that came up in one book you were reading in the most unexpected of places. I am reading [book:Silent Victory: The U...."

Two friends served on U-505, XO Thilo Bode transferred off before its last patrol to command hi own boat, and Hans Goebeler was on board when it was captured. he pulled the plug to scuttle the boat and set the explosive charge, which failed.

I am trying to get my publisher Penguin/Random Hoise to commiassion another interview book with Germans again, like my U-boat, Panzer, Fallschirmajeger and Waffen SS guys. But they have his "American Heroes Series" which is great, I have quite few interviews of them. Just like to shake it up a bit.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Colin wrote: "Some may like my next book in WW II

"

I am sure quite a few members will be keen to ..."
"Above the Pacific" just came out today in ebook and paperback.

Some may like my next book in WW II

Above the Pacific: Three Medal of Honor Fighter Pilots of World War II Speak

For those interested, my new book, Above the Pacific is out February 7 in paperback, ebook and audiobook. Same format as Above the Reich and The German Aces Speak series, all first person interviews.

My interview with LeMay about that event is the my book "Above the Reich: and it is a good look into the backdoor decisions and stupidity (according to LeMay) of JFK's decisions, but also a few of his best moments.

happy wrote: "I'm reading a couple



This is about Mussolini's attempt to make Italy a Great Power in the run up to WWII an..."
The bombing tactics was devised by Curtis E. LeMay. My full and very long interview with him and others is in my book, "Above the Reich"

Thomas wrote: "Hello All,
I'm new to the group. As a member of the first postwar generation I've been interested in the war for about as long as I can remember. My interests tend to be broad though with a special..."

Thomas wrote: "Hello All,
I'm new to the group. As a member of the first postwar generation I've been interested in the war for about as long as I can remember. My interests tend to be broad though with a special..."

You may like to read my interview with Curtis E. LeMay in "Above the Reich" and he did not hold much back regarding Cuba, and what he told JFK.

My interview with Adolf Galland (see The German Aces Speak vol 1) has Galland remembering the meeting he had with Goering and Wolfram von Richthofen, commanding the VIII Luftflotte, or the transport arm supplying Stalingrad. He mentions how Richthofen explained to Goering how it would not be possible to continue to resupply, and that the Germans must be allowed to break out and hook up with Manstein's relief column. Hitler would have none of it, and Goering seemed clueless.

Thanks, the next one is out in February

Axmann did not think much of Hess, Schirach, Bormann, Himmler, Milch, Goebbels, Goering, and others. He pointed out their flaws as men and leaders, as he saw them. However he had the utmost respect for several others such as Galland, Raeder, von Manteuffel, Guderian, Rommel, Bittrich, etc.

The next book, "Above the Pacific has Foss, Boyington and David McCampbell. That will be released in paperback by Dutto/Penguin/Random House

Marc wrote: "Finished this yesterday:

[book:Black Snow: Curtis LeMay, the Firebombing of Tokyo, and the ..."

My full interview with LeMay is in my book, "Above the Reich" and he held nothing back.

My interview with Joe Foss will be in the next book, out in February 2023, Boyington in there also.

BA wrote: "SO excited to start reading this book [book:Red Star Against the Swastika: The Story of a Soviet..."

The Luftwaffe fighter pilots I interviewed who shot them down all agreed that it was the toughest Soviet aircraft to bring down due to it being heavily armored underneath to protect it from ground fire.

I am aware of the accusations, but after interviewed dozens of people who knew him, worked for him, and some even disliked him, they never alluded to that "fact" which is still unproven, but widely assumed. Now Roehm was in fact gay, and all knew it which made him a target. There is not definitive proof on Schirach or Hess, but it would not surprise me. Many of my interviewed subjects also knew these two men and that was never brought up as a fact in discussion, and no one I interviewed liked either man at all. Artur Axmann who took over the Hitler Youth had little regard for Schirach or Hess, and I think he would have hammered that "fact" home if he knew it to be true.

Unfortunately I do not have that information, and my German friend Herman died years ago, but I have his photos from his service, and his interviews.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I read this book on "Operation Nordwind" some years back in case your interested; "Seven Days In January: With the 6th SS Mountain Division in Operation Nordwind" by Wolf T. Zoepf.

[bookcover:Seve..."

One of my late friends was a 16 year old conscript medic in the 6th SS Division "Nord" at that time and had a fascinating story, one that brought him to the United States sponsored by the American captain whose life he saved.