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

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

XXXX = beer

Thanks guys, unfortunately I have learned that feature films do not allow you to tell the entire story of a person, but if we get the miniseries option, we can go into more detail. We just have to wait and see. I have some friends who are actors/directors standing in line to get roles in this thing, hence they are the catalyst for pushing this long. Could be seen as self serving on their part, but they read the book and love the story. i will take what I can get.

To the group: My screenwriter Mike Droberg and I are almost finished with our screenplay, taking my book, The Star of Africa into film production. Producers are waiting to receive the final draft before it goes to bidding. We are trying to keep the story as true to the book (and the history) as possible. We shall see what happens later and will update when necessary.

When I wrote Four War Boer (it took 25 years), this book was one of many secondary sources, but it was the Bible on the subject. I made this required reading as a textbook when I taught the subject at the university.

They made a film about him a few years ago. As a former military sniper, I studied his tactics (along with others).

For those who may have read Adam Makos' book, A Higher Call, or my book, The Star of Africa, Franz Stigler's brother was apparently involved with the Scholls and Probst at some point, but Franz knew nothing about it. That did not stop the Gestapo from interrogating him in Sicily.

He needs to see the film Anthropoid, which is fairly realistic, at least the planning and execution phase of the plot. The romantic inclusions are probably for dramatic purposes.

read the book Hitler's Jewish Soldiers, by Bryan Mark Rigg. In my interview with SS Lt. Gen Karl Wolff, he acknowledged this, Hitler gave him a Blood Certificate. He was not alone, Luftwaffe Field Marshall Erhard Milch was also Jewish.

Look up the WW I aviation books by my friend Jon Guttman, he also has a series with Osprey Publishing.

I knew many men who flew in these, I actually got to ride in a few myself. Noisy as hell.

Raeder was interesting, because he was Jewish.

The Japanese plan for invading Australia had been presented at the Imperial High Command, but Yamamoto argued that occupying Australia was as fanciful as invading the USA's West Coast. He knew better.

Edward R. "Buddy" Haydon flew P-51D's with the 357th/352nd along with Bud Anderson and Chuck Yeager, among others. He killed Major Walter Nowotny trying to land his damaged Me-262 at Achmer on Nov 8, 1944.

This occurred in front of Adolf Galland and Georg Peter Eder (both interviewed). He later engaged in a dogfight with his wing man Dale Carter against the Me-262's flown by Erich Rudorffer and Theo Weissenberger over Munich in Jan. 1945.

Haydon was shot down strafing their airfield and became a POW. Great story. The short version of his interview (like many others) was published in WW II magazine many years ago.

The next book has my old interviews with James Dootlittle, Curtis Lemay, Robert Johnson, Robin Olds and Edward Haydon.

Marc wrote: "Colin wrote: "My book in progress has the interview with Bob Johnson, who spent a lot of time with Bong, and I got some real good insights into his character. Johnson's interview is excellent."

Do..."

Currently in progress, will be the same format as my German Aces Speak books, first person interview narrative. This would also be a new book series with US airmen, ETO and Pacific. I guess I will get back to the Germans later. Expect book out by Jan. 2021 if not sooner.

My book in progress has the interview with Bob Johnson, who spent a lot of time with Bong, and I got some real good insights into his character. Johnson's interview is excellent.

Good "reads"

Lanphier and Barber argued for decades about who finally got Yamamoto. I knew both men. Very interesting perspectives. Curtis Lemay summed it up; "Those two arguing about who got that scalp is like two guys bitching about who really nailed the prom queen."

Big fan of Nelson, Collingwood and the like, studied these men for years.

King was also well known as an anti-British minded type, and a vindictive man with a large ax to grind when it suited him. However, he was an effective leader, just not a very honorable man. He led the fight to court-martial Capt. Charles Butler McVay III for losing his ship, as revenge for his father who was King's superior officer years before. King had been written up for dereliction of duty, by the father Charles B. McVay II (who became an admiral like his father, Charles' grandfather). McVay III, who always felt guilt for losing his ship and over 1000 men, committed suicicde in the 1960's. His record was cleared in 2001. Even the survivors never felt their skipper was to blame, and neither did Mochitsura Hashimoto, who commanded I-58 which sank her. Hashimoto was even brought by King to testify under pressure at the trial to try and secure the conviction. I interviewed Hashimoto, who spent years working with the survivors to clear McVay's name.