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

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

Manray9 wrote: "Geevee wrote: "Thank you Manray9 - added to my list :)"

Winton is quite good on the RN. I liked his bio of Cunningham:

Cunningham

and his account of HMS GLORIOUS'..."

I knew Otto Schuhart, who sank the HMS Courageous. He was one of my many U-Boat commander interviews.

Manray9 wrote: "Here is an interesting article on the alleged influence of Luftwaffe Col. Hans-Ulrich Rudel on the development of the USAF A-10 Warthog. Although the USAF may deny it, I believe they do denigrate ..."

Yeo, Col. Robert S. Johnson who gained fame in the P-47 Thunderbolt was a Republic/Fairchild spokesperson and advisor, along with Rudel and Wolfgang Falck (night fighters, ground attack(. I knew Johnson and Falck, as well as Kurt Kuhlmey, who was also consulted.

Dj wrote: "Colin wrote: "I am interested in which specific factors/lies can be displayed, proving Bill O'Reilly, or anyone at Fox New told even one lie. Please be specific, and not just mention an honest erro..."

Thanks for the reply, but I was not referring to the book, just to the blanker assertion of Fox News propagating falsehoods, which is laughable when looking at the far left wing media. Fox at least has liberals on for honest debate. I am not a real conspiracy theorist on the Patton issue. I knew Omar Bradley and had his limited take on it.

I am interested in which specific factors/lies can be displayed, proving Bill O'Reilly, or anyone at Fox New told even one lie. Please be specific, and not just mention an honest error.

I can point to many lies and outright propaganda distorions by CNBC, MSNBC and NBC. Then we have the complete disregard for anything resembling responsible journalism from CBS and ABC also, as they will not push stories that make the living Messiah in Chief or the liberals look bad. If you want the list, email me. Be prepared, as I AM a professional historian, and I DO research my facts.

Any channel that has Al Sharpton as a headliner to bolster ratings (they failed), is like the crew of the Titanic dismissing the emergency, even when their feet get wet.

if anyone wants to see what the First World War was like in Africa, from a biographical first person, get my book Four War Boer. Tragedy and comedy all wrapped into an extraordinary man.

I worked for Prof. Strachan for a semester, great historian.

FYI, if anyone would like signed books from us in time for Xmas delivery, order before Dec. 10 International, Dec. 15 domestic USA. See website at www.lewisheatonbooks.com.

Doolittle and many of the men on the April 1942 B-25 mission were subjects of my personal interviews, and in fact I met my wife Anne who was their official photographer, when I was at another of their reunions. Great guys, all but two gone now.

I interviewed many Tiger crews/commanders, and their stories were quite interesting indeed. One of the best interviews was with a Soviet T-34 and later KV-1 commander, describing fighting Tiger I and II variants.

I had correspondence with Waffen SS Lt. Gen. Wilhelm Bittrich back in the 1970s, and it was he who laid the groundwork for future interviews with SS men. His perspective on the British and US soldiers during that battle was quite interesting.

I think many people miss a few major points. The Japanese were informed that we had the weapon, prior to both boms being dropped. There was actually an internal revolt within the Japanses high command, those accepting the terms of surrender, and those opposed, as to not lose face.

Also, the Geneva Convention of 1929 in effect then (revised from the original of 1864) followed on the heels of The Hague I of 1899. Both made targeting civilians and cities illegal, unless they were military targets. Therefore, hitting a factory in the middle of a populated area (which RAF Air Marshall harris called de-housing) and killing the work force was not illegal. Targeting a school or hospital, was of course unless it was shown to be a military operated facility, like Monte Cassino.

Hiroshima and nagazaki were in fact vital military targets, with large populations. Sad reality is the Japs could have surrendered and avoided the catastrophe.

However, Truman, unlike Roosevelt, was no fool either. Dropping the bomb sent the Soviets a powerful statement; look what we have as you reneg on your promise of free elections and autonomy in Eastern Europe.

Sorry I did not understand the request. Ironically, most of the men who were chosen for the Komet program were nt long serving, very experienced aces. Most were young pilots, fresh out of glider and/or powered single engine fighter schools. I asked Major Wolfgang Spaete about that, and he said "They had no bad habits."

I interviewed a few Komet pilots, and was on the History Channel with Rudi Glogner, the only Komet pilot to shoot down a Mosquito. Very interesting men.

Peiper was shot to death and his home burned, yet the French authorities never really investigated the crime. To this day his killer(s) remain unknown.

I interviewed some Das Reich, Leibstandarte, and other SS men who knew Peiper. Very interesting character.

Erich Brunotte was a fighter pilot with JG-51, and his best friends and wingman was my friend, Sgt. Heinz Marquardt (121 kills, Knight's Cross). Erich is still still alive, and his signed pic is on my website home page. He is holding a copy of our book, The Star of Africa in front of the Me-109F-4 in JG-27 markings.

I interviewed over 70 people who met or knew Hitler, and some had their suspicions, and about Goering also despite his two marriages and having a daughter. Interesting things in deed. One of my great conspiracy theories was that Ernst Roehm, caught with a young male lover and killed by Theodor Eicke in the 1934 night of the Long Knives, was ordered to kill him by Hitler. The reason: Roehm not only began to challenge Hitler for supremacy of the party, but threatened blackmail regarding Hitler's homosexuality as a tool to remove Hitler politically, and usurp him. Hitler was actually bisexual in my opinion, a confused and very disturbed man.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Your book on the Me 163 Komet looks good as well Allan. I read this book on the subject which I really enjoyed:

[book:Top Secret B..."

I knew Spate and interviewed him, very intelligent man.

Read any of my friend/historian Jon Guttman's books on WW I aircraft and pilots. He is the foremost authority.

Jerome wrote: "Another May 2015 release:

by Alan Axelrod
Description:
On August 12, 1944, Lieutenant Jo..."

This subject was also covered in the two part History Channel episode I was on.