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

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

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "The first dogfight over Guadalcanal involving the Japanese ace, Saburo Sakai, has been mentioned in Eric Hammel's book. This aerial combat led to Saburo Sakai being wounded and blinded in one eye a..."

I knew Sakai, my abbreviated interview with him was published many years ago in WW II or Aviation History. He was a great guy. I hope to add his interview to one of my books later as I do the oral history collection. Eric Hammel was also a friend and a great resource. We often bounced questions off each other, and at one time we had the same literary agent.

Jerome wrote: "A July 2021 release:

by Giles Tremlett
Description:
The Spanish Civil War was the first ..."

Stalin also threw the weight of his troops and aircraft into the fray in defiance of Franco, and with the introduction of Soviet pilots and aircraft, was thus born the Condor Legion.

Travelin wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: ""The Blind Strategist" - The author also made mention of the 1950 'Himmerod memorandum'. The author states:

"This document advised the West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer ..."

Well, in Peiper's defense, he was 20 miles away from Malmedy, and he stated it during his trial. He had already pushed through the area as the spearhead for the "Das Reich" push. But because it was a platoon from his battalion he was held accountable. When the evidence of his exact location was proven after the trial his commutation was a direct result of those facts, nothing else. In addition, Peiper's additional orders were to "ensure prisoners for intelligence gathering and interrogation purposes." His superiors wanted to know certain facts only POWs would have. Unfortunately, Peiper received that order but was unable to relay the order down to all of his company commanders by radio. Now, Peiper was no angel, his nickname "Blowtorch" was well earned in the Soviet Union.

Jonny wrote: "Leo McKinstry offers an overview of the bias suffered by Hawker's bruiser in the summer of 1940:

So strong was the bias that a form of Spitfire snobbery arose during the Battle of ..."

Well, Galland was one of my interviews, and all the German pilots I interviewed did not think much of the Hurricane I, but when the Mk II came out that changed the game.

Dj wrote: "Perato wrote: "Dj wrote: "Finally finished my review of: Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent 1934-1941 [bookcover:Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent ..."

I knew and interviewed Hans Baur, a WW I ace and Hitler's personal pilot. He had great stories about Hitler fearing flying., and what transpired before during and after each flight.

Some may find this book entertaining, my publisher is releasing it in June.

Manray9 wrote: "The May 28th issue of the New York Review of Books contains an article by Max Hastings on Antony Beevor's Arnhem: The Battle for the Bridges, 1944. The article is entitled "Botch on..."

I researched under Keegan and interviewed/knew Jim Gavin. Both were impressive men.

Apparently, but my niece came over twice for visits, lovely girl. Her fiance is a pro rugby player.

Sweetwilliam wrote: "

I'm reading Jimmy Doolittle's autobiography. Chapter 1 starts off with the famous raid on Japan and Jimmy bailing out over China and almost bein..."

My interview with Doolittle is also in my new book Above the Reich, full interview. The abbreviated interview was published in two parts in Aviation History many years ago.

That is a sacred place, I have nothing but complete respect for the Aussies who fought. I knew a few, damned fine soldiers, and love their "down time". I have never been to Australia, but my brother was there in the Navy for a stop. 21 years later he learned he had a daughter, my niece in Sydney, LOL

John wrote: "Jerome wrote: " by Ben Shepherd

Description
Germany’s 1941 seizure of Yugoslavia led to an insurgency..."
Ben is a great guy, spent some time with him when he was teaching at University of Birmingham.

Richard Carthew is a most gallant guy, had a few chats with him. My niece lives in Sydney, so I plan on taking a trip and visiting the Buckland family and the museum. We are working on the Marseille film/docudrama and would include the display in the program.

Robin Olds was a proponent of fighters over bombers during the Cold War. John C. Meyer also.

Curtis LeMay was also behind that, he was appointed as review officer and he mentioned that in my interview, see my forthcoming book, Above the Reich out in June.

I was asked by Emily at the museum, at the request of Richard Carthew, Graham Buckland's nephew, who contacted me. Until he read my book "The Star of Africa", he said the family had no idea how their loved one died, or how they managed to receive his personal effects. My book explained how Marseille shot Buckland down as he was shooing up Ludwig Franzisket's 109, and Graham had to bail out. His head struck the tail and he never opened his parachute. Marseille and Franzisket saw this happen. After the battle they located Graham's body. Franz Stigler gave him last rites, and Marseille collected his personal effects: his wristwatch (stopped at the time he died), a black fountain pen (given to him as he left his job as a clerk to join up), personal photos, and a cross on a necklace. Given the location of the body, Marseille secured safe passage for his comrades to collect him. He dropped the coordinates and a package with Graham's effects as he flew over 250 Squadron airfield (his third mercy flight there), with a handwritten note in English regretting the loss, stating "For his family, with Regrets." Graham was collected and buried in Knightsbridge Cemetery. The items Marseille dropped off are on display with my book as they were sent to Graham's mother. Graham Buckland was Marseille's 65th victory. The story was told to me by the pilots on that mission who saw the action: Ludwig Franzisket, Emil Clade, Gustav Rodel and Franz Stigler. I also interviewed No. 250 pilot Geoffrey Morley-Mower who saw the action, and Marseille once again adorn their airfield.

A few of the Germans I interviewed were hired after the war, senior officers with a lot of combat or intel experience against the Soviets.

Excellent.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I've just finished watching a TV documentary on the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force (31 March 1921-2021) and two items of our WW2 RAAF history always get me excited:

"G For Geo..."

I was surprised to learn a few years ago that the REEF Museum in Melbourne (I think) has a special display of my book, The Star of Africa which I was asked to sign honoring all Australians who served. It is in the Graham George Buckland display, because of the connection Marseille and Buckland had.

Get better Rick my man!

I am currently writing a new book, same format as The German Aces Speak series, and the forthcoming Above the Reich. This is with Pacific/Asia aviators, AVG, Navy and Marines. First chapter is done, in for review, which are my interviews with Greg Boyington back in 1980s. I think that the full story with footnoted inclusions and supplemental material (much contradictory) from other first hand interviewed sources, will greatly tarnish the image of Boyington in a way that will dismay many. Truth is truth.