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

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

Gerald wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I hope you enjoy it as much as I did Gerald, I thought it was a pretty decent account, what you would expect from Max Hastings!"

Rick, I am certain that I will enjoy the book..."

With all due respect, as a writer, former journalist and book author, the NYT is one of the worst, liebrally slanted trash rags in the USA.

I played in the NASL 2nd division in 1979-1982, then they went under. Kyle Rote Jr and Werner Roth (Cosmos) came to see me, and I was on the verge of being recruited. My childhood dream of playing big ball died, then I joined the military. I was also a certified referee. I can tell you that FIFA has given referees great latitude in handing out cards. Yellows are mandatory in a dive if trying to gain an advantage, and a red for diving if in the box. You will see Italians and South American teams use this method ad infinitum. Even Holland and Spain disappointed.

Regarding A Higher Call, see my contributions to the book by Adam Makos, who is a friend also. See also www.lewisheatonbooks.com and go to The Buchenwald Story page.

I just updated my website. See www.lewisheatonbooks.com and go to The Buchenwald Story page there, and check that out.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I'm sorry to hear you didn't enjoy the book as much as expected. I have heard mixed reviews of Jeffrey Watson's book. If your still interested in a good book on 'Killer' Caldwell then I could recom..."

See my book The Star of Africa, where Caldwell's desire to strafe Germans in parachutes almost altered the way the Luftwaffe (at least in JG-27) conducted the war. he pissed them off when over a dozen saw him in action, in violation of Geneva 1929. Even his own men were wary of him, as he made it a practice, and boasted about it. That discussion made it all the way to Rommel, and even Goering.

Robert wrote: "I'm just getting around to Infield's book on Otto Skorzeny, about whom I learned some fascinating things while researching my book on Gen. Oscar Koch. It's a remarkable irony to me that Dr. Murray ..."

I interviewed some men who knew and even served with Skorzeny. Interesting personal opinions. When he dreamed up the Gran Sasso raid to get Mussolini, Hitler apparently said, "if he pulls off this crazy idea, I will give him a medal."

Marine Sgt. Maj. Dan Daly had two Medals of Honor, a Navy Cross, a Distinguished Service Cross, and everything down the line. Smedley Butler also had two MOHs as a Marine.

Edward wrote: "Edward wrote: "Hans Goebeler
About 20% into it and really enjoying it. Can't wait to get back to it..."

I knew Hans and his wife well. Great people, and I miss him

I have one for you. In WW II a Ukrainian tank unit of the Red Army was ordered into the attack during planning for Operation Begration. They were to await delivery of gasoline for their tanks and vehicles. The delivery arrived, but it was diesel. The officers, fearing retribution for not fueling up, did so anyway. Needless to say that tank unit, maybe a company or battalion was unable to attend the party.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "An excellent choice Laurel.

I hope to start my theme read in a few days time but already I've changed my mind and considering reading this book:

[bookcover:A Higher Call: An Incredible True Stor..."
I know Adam well, you will see where I contributed to the book.

Manray9 wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I think I have mentioned this book in the new release thread some time back but failed to make note of it here. It's a book that I dare say I will order as it covers a campaig..."

Jim Leutze was chancellor of UNC-Wilmington when I was an udergrad

Edward wrote: "I have somewhat an interest in history as I like to know what happened, ( who, what, where, why and when). Really enjoy first person accounts, it seems to bring the past to life and give it perspe..."

Edward: You may like our books, or go to Heaton-Lewis Books or Amazon. All of our books are first person accounts.

Correct. Otto Skorzeny stole the idea (the bastard) during the Ardennes Offensive) to confuse Allied units dressed as American soldiers.

I interveiwed a couple of these men, commanded by Waffen SS Lt. Adrian von Folkersam, when they took the oil field at in the Caucasus dressed as Soviet soldiers. Folkersam, in fluent Russian told the relief colunm of tankers and infantry to go in the wrong direction, where the Stukas picked them off. The commandos secured the oil field rapidly.

nick is correct. Having conducted hundreds of interviews, I always cross referenced with other interviewees and sources. My interviews with German tank commanders, especially Tiger I and II commanders and crews provided a very realistic view of the tank war. The highest loss ratio of Allied tanks of all types occurred from June 9-August 29, 1944. Shermans were lost in tank v tank duels at a rate of 9 to one, 12 to one damaged against German tanks of all types.

I was in Andersonville as an extra, with a featured segment. I remember that long days in the hot sun on set, and the day john frankenheimer spoke to me.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Funny enough I have not read my two books on Clive Caldwell. This is taken from Wikipedia but based on a the latest and more detailed biography of Clive Caldwell by Kristen Alexander:

On 4 July 19..."

ironically, shooting at parachuting Allied airmen was in fact a court-martial offense, even under German law. If it happened intentionally, there would have been serious repercussions, at least on the Western Front. The eastern Front was, unfortunately another matter.

Accidents did happen, and with regard to the RAAF, RAF and SAAF that was not a practice that was looked upon favorably also. Galland as General of Fighters actually issued an order that he would personally court-martial any pilot who did that.

I saw the trailer, and I recall my many interviews with German tankers, even a Soviet commander. If they show a Sherman taking more than one direct hit in side armor, or even frontal w/o issues from a Tiger I, I will rage.

Caldwell is mentioned also in our book The Star of Africa. He did not have many Luftwaffe fans, and even many Commonwelath comrades distanced themselves from him as he boasted about shooting parachuting enemy pilots. One of these was witnessed by a dozen Germans (see book), and the debates raged as to whether they should follow suit against the Allies.

Edu Neumann, Gustav Roedel and others said no. Marseille, Rodel and Schroer discussed this with Rommel. All agreed that they had to be better men than that, and that they felt sure that this one pilot was an anomaly.

Geevee wrote: "I agree with Manray but also DJ's views on Irving. Whiting was okay for me when I was younger reading him as Leo Kessler.

Colin didn't you study for some period under Sir John?"

Gevee:

i did work under him in research, and I gathered a lot of knowledge from him. He once told me: "Historians are chroniclers of the human experience, while journalists for the most part are recyclers of human rubbish."