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

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

The BLT commander, then Col. Myron Harrington, who is a contact of mine, was at odds with the procedures. His verbal opposition was probably, sadly why he never made Brig. Gen. The great problem also was trying to abide by the wishes of the local government while performing the duty. That rarely works out well. Two of the survivors of the blast were in my unit 1/6 afterward.

Manray9 wrote: "Colin wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "I know our group is knowledgeable on military subjects over a broad range. Although not about WW II, the article linked below, by military correspondent Tom Ricks, ap..."

The situation in Beirut was different, because we operated under UN orders, not US military orders. That mistake was never repeated again, although the Un still functions militarily as a castrated laughing stock unless it is UK or US led, and having been on a couple of UN missions, the term "ineffective" is well deserved.

I do not know if it is available now, and I was never given an explanation.

Manray9 wrote: "I know our group is knowledgeable on military subjects over a broad range. Although not about WW II, the article linked below, by military correspondent Tom Ricks, appeared in yesterday’s Washingt..."

They get relieved for dissenting with POTUS, or for thinking for themselves. Bungling on behalf of his majesty Obama carries no great penalty. The generals are all generally smarter than the C in C anyway. Remember this administration never holds anyone accountable for illegal or poor performance, unless you are the telephone operator who honestly answers questions regarding the failure of Obamacare and the flawed website. Or if you are the flag officer who points out that your irresponsible, amateurish approach to socialist benevolence is costing lives and reducing our national security.

happy wrote: "Laurel wrote: "No doubt this has been mentioned before, but I wanted to record for myself, at least.In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivor..."

The reason McVeigh was court martialed for losing his ship (the only American officer in WW II to be so treated) was because The USN Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Ernest J. King, had served under McVeigh's father as an ensign. King was in dereliction of duty, and a formal reprimand was placed into his folder. King then decided to take his revenge against the son. There you have it.

FYI, Hans Frank's offical folder and service record was the only one listed as "unavailable" in the archives in Freiburg, Koblenz and Berlin-Lichterfelde when I was doing postgraduate research. Deep six is a term we used in the military.

Manray9 wrote: "Today's NY Times contained the following review of Max Hastings' "Catastrophe 1914" by Hew Strachan. It reads as if Hastings' book may be of interest to members of our group -- even though it's WW..."

Prof Strachan is the best, and I worked for him at Glasgow before he went to Oxford. Good man.

See my website for photos and stories at www.lewisheatonbooks.com

carl wrote: "Colin wrote: "Leon Degrelle (see Military History, Nov 2006) who were at Cherkassy. Brutal. ."

Brutal indeed. of all things the Russians are actually running out of infantry, they send them so f..."

I was Degrelle's house guest in Spain, and we spoke at great length about the war, and Cherkassy was always the one battle he considered the worst he ever experienced.

carl wrote: "good stories AR. i'm mired in the mud in
Cherkassy, where the Russians hope for
Stalingrad 2. von Manstein borrowed
the 24th Panzer division from Armee
Group South without permission. it
took 8 ..."

I interviewed a few of the German and foreign volunteers, including Leon Degrelle (see Military History, Nov 2006) who were at Cherkassy. Brutal.

Dj wrote: "Betty wrote: "I'm starting byAlex Kershaw.
I just finished by Charles ..."

Yes..."It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...." for sure. Great being an author then paid by the word. My books would have all been much larger!

Laurel wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "The next theme read for the group will be in November and will be on any book or books covering any aspect (land, air or sea) of the fighting in the Pacific theatre during WW2..."

Adam's book Voices of the Pacific is a good read, he let me preview the manuscript before it was published. Good book.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Well only another two weeks till we start out next group theme read which will be any book or books covering any aspect (land, air or sea) of the fighting on the Eastern Front during WW2. I hope a ..."

If interested, my book Occupation and Insurgency focuses upon the German anti-partisan units and their actions, comparing all the events to the existing Geneva and Hague Conventions. It also has many interview segments with senior SS officers who gave their perspectives, and even a few non Germans.

happy wrote: "Mike
It sounds like you had a good time. One of these days I would love to take a ride in a WW II bomber (B-17 being my first choice :))"

I have ridden in all the WW II bombers except the B-29 and British models, and a B-17 is a loud beast, and your bones still shake when the ride is over.

Trinette wrote: "Recently I sent a copy of my book, "From Shaniko to Pearl Harbor to George H W Bush. Imagine my surprise to get back a Card from him & Barbara thanking me and saying "small book, large impact." ..."

They are great people. They sent me a signed portrait many years ago for my birthday, which hangs on my wall with other well known figures I have known.

I have some first hand accounts thru interviews with Germans at Cherkassy, Demyansk, Kharkov, etc. Evil doings indeed.

Jerome wrote: "A new history of the Warsaw uprising, due for release in December:

by Alexandra Richie

Description:
In 1943, the Nazis l..."

I will have to read this book. My friend, journalist Rita Cosby's father survivied the 1944 Uprising. See her book "Quiet Hero" on him. Although he recently passed away, and I could not get his story, I did interview the second in command under Bach-Zelewski, SS Col. Muhlenkamp, who was given command of the 5th SS Panzer Division during the event. Great story. Muehlenkamp was the reason why so many of the uniformed soldiers and others went to POW camps, and not the death camps. He convinced Himmler via Zelewski, to adhere to the Geneva Convention of 1929.

Ryan wrote: "Recently read two great books on the U-Boat war, both by Michael Gannon. Operation Drumbeat details the U-Boat offensive on the US East Coast in 1942, the second "Happy Time" for the German submari..."

I knew Reinhard, he Peter Cremer and Erich Topp were really some of the most involved. All were good friends and great interviews. Otto Kretschmer was also a good buddy, but he was already out of the war by Drumbeat. In fact, my "Speak" series of books will have them in the U-Boat series, same format as the Luftwaffe pilots' series.

Lilo wrote: "Geevee wrote: "I thought this might interest some members. It is due for publication in Britian in January 2014:
[bookcover:Marching Into Darkness: The Wehrmacht and the Holocaust in Belarus|17804..."

Joining the Nazi party was no different than being a republican or democrat in the US in the early days. After the Enabling Act and the Nuremberg Laws, all other parties were outlawed. In fact, you had to be approved, as a German to be a member. You could not just join. By German law, the "Ueberpateilichkeit", professional officers were baned from joining any political party.

Alex wrote: "I'm in the market for an Atlas on WWII to make it easier for me to follow along with the campaigns and strategies I'm reading about. So far the "The Times Atlas of World War II" edited by John Keeg..."

Sir John Keegan had the best collection. I was his house guest during postgraduate school in the UK, and I liked him very much. His library of old collectible books was to envy.