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

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

Manray9 wrote: "Although too late for our March theme read:

Tirpitz Hitler's Last Battleship by John Asmussen

Looks good, but not due out until April, 15."

My friend Kurt Schulze is still alive, and he was in JG-5 'Eismeer" in Norway with my other living friend and 206 victory ace Walter Schuck. They were under the command of 204 victory ace Heinrich Ehrler, who was blamed publicly for the loss of the Tirpitz, and quite unfairly.

Jill wrote: "The children's memorial at Lidice in the Czech Republic, site of one of the most horrific slaughters of civilians in WWII.

"

In my book The Star of Africa, Hans-Joachim Marseille learned of Lidice, which was the end result of Operation Reinhard, and the Holocaust (Auschwitz) when he overheard SS Gen. Karl Wolff talking with other senior SS leaders. They were at a party in Berlin in June 1942, celebrating the event.

I knew Gabby, what a guy.

Hans told me that story over some beer, and there are others. I really need to read that book again.

Jill wrote: "And one more, with my thoughts about it.

by Alan Clark (no photo)

The title of this book comes from a conversation by the German High Command....."T..."

See my book Four War Boer. Read about Maj Gen French and other senior officers in the 2nd Boer War prior to WW I. Their established idiocy had a trail of tears behind it.

Geevee wrote: "A new book from well know publisher Osprey, which I thought would interest many members.

[book:US Marine Corps Fighter Squadr..."

Barrett and I are comrades, and we both knew the great aces we both wrote about. His book on Marine units should be excellent.

Hitler ordered that practice to stop after Reinhard Hardegen and Erich Topp both did that, and the RAF Coastal Command, knowing they were helping survivors, attacked their U-Boats, even with their own naval men nearby. The two commanders saved their subs, but the assistance ended then and there. it is believed that three other U-Boats were also lost as a result of German commanders assisting seamen, and then being attacked.

Thinking about history, if not for the Varangian Swedes of the 7th to 9th centuries, there would not have been a Kievan Rus as such, but a Muslim backwater in history still clinging to the 7th century. As far as Russia goes, the deaths of 25 million Ukrainians under Stalin through his starvation policies and purges, I would be real nervous if I were a Russian soldier in occupation. Remember that Ukraine supplied hundreds of thousands of volunteers for the Germans in WW II, including 2 SS regiments to fight the Communists. If the idiot in chief Obama opened up all the pipelines and gas/oil fields here, connecting with Canada, we could sell to Europe and Ukraine, cut Russia off from that revenue, and Ukraine could sever the pipelines on their end. All the while the free nations freeze the bank accounts of Putin and every Russian citizen abroad. I assure you that will get the desired results.

A.L. wrote: "I just started this book for the theme read: Steel Boat, Iron Hearts: A U-Boat Crewman's Life Aboard U-505[bookcover:Steel Boat, Iron Hearts: A U-Boat Crewman's Life Aboard U-505|284..."

I knew Hans Goebeler and his wife Riki, we did a few shows together in the 90s. Good man.

A.L. wrote: "I just started this book for the theme read: Steel Boat, Iron Hearts: A U-Boat Crewman's Life Aboard U-505[bookcover:Steel Boat, Iron Hearts: A U-Boat Crewman's Life Aboard U-505|284..."

I knew Hans Goebbeler and his wife Riki, we did a few shows together in the 90s. Good man.

Jill wrote: "Germany's Ace of Aces, Adolf Galland kept our boys busy over the Channel but somehow survived the war. An interesting look at this famous fighter pilot and officer.

[bookcover:Fighter General: The..."

I knew Dolfo Galland very well, for many years. Read my book The German Aces Speak, with his full interview.

Jill wrote: "Germany's Ace of Aces, Adolf Galland kept our boys busy over the Channel but somehow survived the war. An interesting look at this famous fighter pilot and officer.

[bookcover:Fighter General: The..."

I knew Dolfo Galland very well, for many years. Read my book The German Aces Speak, with his full interview.

A.L. wrote: "carl wrote: "with no dinner !"

I wonder if he was treated as a returning hero or if he was grounded for a few months (or years)?

Even for the boy to have escaped alive and unwounded, I wonder ab..."

My book Four War Boer is about Pieter Krueler, who started his career as a soldier at age 14

My website has some photos of her, and one at her 100th birthday party. See them at www.lewisheatonbooks.com

Betty wrote: "Never knew that. Interesting! Thanks for sharing, everyone! You all have something to contribute that adds to my understanding of history."

Betty wrote: "Never knew that. Interesting! Thanks for sharing, everyone! You all have something to contribute that adds to my understanding of history."

Betty wrote: "Never knew that. Interesting! Thanks for sharing, everyone! You all have something to contribute that adds to my understanding of history."

Betty wrote: "Never knew that. Interesting! Thanks for sharing, everyone! You all have something to contribute that adds to my understanding of history."

Jill wrote: "German propaganda films intrigue me and Goebbels was the master of that type of film, especially the anti-semitic theme. Der Ewige Jude (The Eternal Jew, 1940) may be one of the most well known.The..."

Jill wrote: "German propaganda films intrigue me and Goebbels was the master of that type of film, especially the anti-semitic theme. Der Ewige Jude (The Eternal Jew, 1940) may be one of the most well known.The..."

Betty wrote: "Never knew that. Interesting! Thanks for sharing, everyone! You all have something to contribute that adds to my understanding of history."

I knew Leni and interviewed her, good times at her house on Lake Sternberg. See her comments in my book The Star of Africa regarding her romance with Hans-Joachim Marseille.

Bradley had no problems with Maudlin playing him, I guess he was satisfied, and that is the best source I can think of. I only met Bradley when he was almost dead in his 90s I guess, but still sharp.

I told my wife that if they ever add Jumping to Conclusions into the Olympics she is a guaranteed Gold Medalist

The F6F had more Japanese fighter kills than any other naval fighter, and was the mount of a few MOH recipients. I think it does belong, but the Spitfire should be there. As an aviation historian, and based upon my interviews with pilots from WW I to the present here are my top 10 spanning the century, if not separating by conflict:

1-Sopwith Camel
2-P-51D
3-Spitfire Mk XIV
4-Fw-190
5-Bf-109
6-F-86
7-F-4 Phantom II
8-F-15
9-F-16
10-Mirage III

Robert wrote: "Dj wrote: "Here is a link comparing the two, Patton and George C. Scott speaking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4_47O..."

Thanks, DJ. To me, the most remarkable thing is that Scott was only ..."

FYI Omar Bradley worked with Scott in his research on Patton, and gave Scott many good ideas on playing him. Bradley also worked with Karl Mauldin who played him.

Manray9 wrote: "happy wrote: "When ever anything went wrong my first Bn Cdr always brought up the 6 P's, while he was taking a couple of big chunks of ones posterior :)

Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performan..."

agreed