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

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

Geevee wrote: "Colin in your many interviews have you ever solicited for views on Hess or has the subject come up in discussions on why he flew to Britain."

I asked almost all of the Germans I interviewed, especially Adolf Galland (see his comments on the mission to shoot him down in The German Aces Speak), as well as members of the inner circle, such as Artur Axmann, Gerhard Klopfer, Siegfried Westphal, and Karl Wolff, and they all had varying opinions.

Unfortunately we may never know what was in his head, but I do know that he left without any knowledge of Hitler and Goring. The best summation I can give based upon my information was that he really wanted to end the war between Germany and Britain, knowing that Operation Barbarossa was soon to be launched.

On Himmler, I interviewed several Germans who knew him, including SS Generals like Leon Degrelle, Otto Kumm, and Karl Wolff (among others). They had very interesting things to say about him, Hitler, Goring and others. Those interviews (with over 70 Germans) on that subject will be in a forthcoming book.

Dj wrote: "Betty wrote: "I agree, DJ. In my book, there is no difference except for the number of planes between the A-Bomb and the Fire Bombing of cities like Dresden.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_o..."

My book, The Me-262 Stormbird has some its and pieces of my interview long ago with LeMay. He was a very interesting man.

The film was rubbish from a historical standpoint, and only about 50% accurate. However, given that it was a good entertainment film. I spoke with Zaitsev by phone in 1984 (it took two weeks to set that up)through my then girlfriend acting as interpreter, as she was Russian. He was a very interesting man. I was sorry that they never mentioned or depicted Nikolai Iljin, who had even more kills at Stalingrad and during the war.

Agreed, but governments have the responsibility to protect their citizens, under both Geneva and hague Conventions. The Japanese were given fair warning, and ignored it at their own peril.

Robert wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Are a few members going to get involved in the September group read on any book or books covering any aspect of the fighting on the Eastern Front?

I'm looking forward to rea..."

Take a look at our book Occupation and Insurgency, you may find it of interest.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Great news Colin, I am sure quite a few members here will be keen to grab a copy."

Update, Zenith will release Aces Speak vol. 2 in March 2014.

M-dawg wrote: "Some people think the Atomic bomb should not have been used. I think otherwise as does my brother. Please tell us your thoughts."

The bomb should have been dropped earlier if possible. Unforunately, it was not.

Dj wrote: "I am looking for books that discuss Hitler's early years, mostly in regards to his development of the Libensraum(sp?) concept."

Soon Anne and i will start writing a new book, Hitler's Inner Circle, regarding Hitler's life, and perceptions of him and his chief associates from 1932 to his suicide, from 74 interviews from germans who knew him during that part of his life.

See the synopsis of this future book at our website

Mansoor wrote: "Colin

That must have been some experience"

The most intense was my series of interviews with SS officers, see my website for those also. They will be another future book in my "Speak" series.

On WW I I would suggest all the books written by my former boss, Prof. Hew Strachan

Jimmy Stewart was a great interview, and his men under his command respected him for taking the risks with them, and not being another Hollywood officer who just did war bond and celebrity tours. Ironically, Clark Gable and Stewart noth had 100,000 mark bounties on their heads for any German pilot who shot them down. Hitler promised Eva Braun that she could have gable as a dinner guest should he ever fall into German hands. Gone With the Wind was her favorite film.

I watched Das Boot with Reinhard Hardegen (look him up), as he was also a technical advisor. He was very impressed as were Otto Kretschmer, Erich Topp, and Peter Erich Cremer. Look them up too, they were my friends, good guys, legendary skippers.

David wrote: "Hi, Anne:

Since you mentioned a particular interest in WWII and Germany, if you haven't already read it, you should find "A Higher Call" a fascinating read. I just recently finished it and it was ..."

A Higher Call is a great book my friend Adam makos wrote, and I had the privilege of proofing and contributing data. It is the best companion book to my The Star of Africa, they dovetail each other.

Bou wrote: "I have a question, let me know if this is not the right topic by the way.

Next year, it will be 100 years ago that WWI started. I assume there will be a lot of boks out there in the coming year, c..."

I have a book coming out next month written with my wife and coauthor Anne Marie, Four War Boer that covers that war in Africa

I interviewed quite a few of the U-boat commanders, some of that info and who they were is on my website, www.lewisheatonbooks.com

FYI to all, Anne and I just finished The German Aces Speak Vol. 2. For those who read vol. 1, you will want this one when Zenith Press releases it in november. Has the interviews with Erich Hartmann, Johannes Steinhoff, Dietrich Hrabak and Gunther Rall. Some really tragic yet also funny stories from the guys.

Geevee wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "A commander or gunner in a German Tiger I tank :) "

I knew that'd be your answer ;) Not a mortar man after your own experience ??"

Gunner was better protected with almost 5 inches of armor plate in front of him.

Chin Joo wrote: "I always get the impression that the tail gunner always gets to see the enemy fighter creeping up on the plane first. I don't think I'm up to it. The top turret gunner has a bit more time to react ..."

German aces Egon Mayer, Josef Priller, Anton Hackl, Walther Dahl and Georg-Peter Eder (among others) found great success in developing the head on attack against bombers. The front was the worst place to be in combat. That was where the defense was weakest until the addition of chin turrets on B-17Gs and B-24Js, but the Luftwaffe pilots adapted, using a higher angle frontal approach, rolling over into the attack, then pulling out, thereby negating the elevation factor of the twin fifites in the front. Only the top turrett gunner had a good view.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I think I will be grabbing a copy of this book when it is released in October. I think a few other members in the group will be doing the same:

[bookcover:Warsaw 1944: The Fateful Uprising|1816270..."

This was a critical moment in world history indeed. I interviewed SS Standartenfuehrer Johannes-Rudolf Muhlenkamp, who was commander of the 5th SS Division under Erich von dem Bach-Zeleski about the battle.