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

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

See my one of my books, Occupation and Insurgency which covers the actions of the Germans and Soviets regarding the laws of warfare. All of my books are heavy with interview material.

I met the general in 1991 after the Gulf War, very engaging man.

Anne wrote: "I'd like to let you all know about my new book. Its UK title is "Codename: Suzette," which emphasizes its dealings with the Paris branch of the Rote Kapelle espionage saga. Its US title is "Suzanne..."

Sounds interesting, a few of my interviews actually cover that piece of history. I am yet to write a book on that particular subject as you have done.

Pramodya wrote: "Colin wrote: "Adam Makos is a good friend, he and I both knew Franz Stigler (see his comments in my book The Star of Africa). I assisted Adam with his manuscript. All of the Hans Joachim Marseille ..."

If you want them signed go to my website at www.heatonlewisbooks.com for contact data and options

Yep, many German vets ended up in the FFL

My family tree is so twisted it makes a knot.

Himmler was not only pleased, he threw a party attended by several high officials, including Sepp Dietrich, who (according to Wolff) said: "Well, at least the is n longer a problem," to which Himmler replied, "Yes the mongrel is dead."

It was Himmler who had planted the seed that Heydrich perhaps had "Jewish Blood" in order to keep him from rising to rapidly in Hitler's esteem, and to have a political weapon to use against him later. Wolff did confirm that it was Heydrich who had amassed millions of files on Germans, including Hitler, and all their relatives, their lineage, religion, locations, and any history of mental illness.

Given these facts, both Himmler and Hitler came up a little short in those departments, which they did not want to go public. Hitler even had a couple of relatives with mental issues quietly "relocated" to maintain his image.

Marc wrote: "Saw this one in London back in September and ordered it after I got home:

[bookcover:Ops - Victory at All Costs: On Operations Over Hitler's Reich With the Crews of Bomber Command 1939-1945, Their..."

My book Night Fighters had interviews with Luftwaffe, USAAF and RAF Bomber Command personnel which I conducted. After speaking with men like Bill Reid VC and others, and chronicling the losses they face, I have nothing but admiration for them. The Brits however (civilians I guess) took my book as an afront to their brave airmen, which was not the intention.

I researched that primary source material, from planning to post action after action report, from the SOE files in the British Military Archive at the PRO in Kew Gardens, Richmond, London. Great reading. I also interviewed a few high ranking Germans who were aware of and had opinions on that event. Interesting contrasts. Karl Wolff said that "his lost caused Himmler no distress at all".

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "There is a new Australian release due out very shortly which may not interest too many members outside of Australia but I saw a copy today and from my initial perusal it looked quite interesting. I..."

Curtain is held in high regard by the heavy hitters I spoke to who ran the war, Matthew Ridgeway compared him to Churchill, only with more determination. FYI WSC's mother was my great great grandmothers 1st cousin.

Bartov is a solid historian.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Now here is a forthcoming release of interest to me since I grew up reading Sven Hassel novels as a kid. I am sure its a book that will interest others in the group as well:

[bookcover:Strafbattal..."

One of the men I interviewed, WW I Pour le Merite recipient (the youngest ever) and prolific author Ernst Junger's son died as a result of being in one of these penal units. Both father and son were openly anti-Nazi.

Adam Makos is a good friend, he and I both knew Franz Stigler (see his comments in my book The Star of Africa). I assisted Adam with his manuscript. All of the Hans Joachim Marseille and Johannes Steinhoff data I allowed him to use. He produced a good work.

As a WW II and Holocaust historian,I can assure you that no nation under German occupation escaped the round ups.

I had the 1911 in .45 and the Beretta 9mm, now I have the Sig Saur P220 in.45 (old model), and it has the stopping power I like, but the ejection port design provides much less recoil than a Colt allowing more more rapid sight realignment on target. recoil feels like a high grain load 9mm. Very accurate.

I would also suggest "Fighter Pilot" regarding Robin Olds, whom I knew. He flew the P-38 (mentions this) and P-51 in WW II, later the F-4 in Vietnam.

I will have to read this one, I knew some of the U-Boat commanders involved in this.

Lancaster is the only WW II Allied bomber I have not flown in. Bucket list.

Does the museum still have the WW I trench warfare exhibit? That was always fascinating to me.

Tillman (who is a good friend, we even did a History Channel TV show together) and I, like all authors, are restrained by publishers who invoke word limits, to minimize the cost pf printing.